John Simm's Honest Musical Selections: From Early Loves to Unexplained Dislikes

The first tune I fell in love with
My first memory is stepping into a space at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The very first record I purchased
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to pick a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The song I perform at sing-along
I candidly do not enjoy public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The piece I oddly know each line to
I just realised that I can recall virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The ideal song to blast at a soirée
It hinges on what stage of the event you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.

The song I can not hear
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ultimate track to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The album that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and beginning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was obsessed with The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. Instantly after he put the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.

The tune that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.

The song that gets me emotional
Virtually any music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the harmony and utter brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord consistently.

The song I’d like to be 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.

Amanda Graham
Amanda Graham

Tech journalist and AI researcher with a decade of experience covering digital transformation and emerging technologies across Europe.