John Simm's Revealing Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Aversions

The first tune I was captivated by
My earliest recollection is walking into a space at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The very first 45 I acquired
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to choose a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The track I sing at sing-along
I honestly cannot stand karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I inexplicably recite every lyric to
I not long ago became aware that I can recall pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The ideal tune to blast at a soirée
It depends on what stage of the event you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d transition into 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 undeniable hit.

The track I can no longer hear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The best song to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The album that changed my life
When I was 12 and starting to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. As soon as he placed the vinyl on the record player, I was captivated.

The track that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.

The piece that makes me cry
Virtually any music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the tune and utter brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard consistently.

The music I’d like played at my funeral
Elvis. 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.

Brian Hamilton
Brian Hamilton

A political analyst and writer specializing in UK-EU relations and constitutional affairs, with over a decade of experience in Westminster.