John Simm's Revealing Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes

The initial track I fell in love with
My most primal recollection is stepping into a room at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The first 45 I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a new record to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my father mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The track I do at sing-along
I frankly do not enjoy public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I oddly know each line to
I recently became aware that I have memorized pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The perfect track to put on at a party
It hinges on which phase of the party you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d work through the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.

The song I can no longer hear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The best song to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The album that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and beginning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. As soon as he put the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.

The track that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.

The song that gets me emotional
Most music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the harmony and utter beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord consistently.

The song I’d like played at my final send-off
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.

Jennifer Martin
Jennifer Martin

A certified fitness trainer with over a decade of experience in spinning and wellness coaching.