John Simm's Honest Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Aversions

The first song I became enamored with
My earliest memory is entering a space at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The first record I purchased
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to pick a brand new record to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I opted for 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 record shop in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The track I do at sing-along
I candidly actively avoid public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The piece I inexplicably remember all the words to
I not long ago became aware that I have memorized pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The perfect track to put on at a party
It relies on the point of the event you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d work through the Artist, the Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.

The song I can no longer listen to
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The LP that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and just learning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock music. The moment he dropped the record on the turntable, I was captivated.

The track that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.

The track that brings me to tears
Virtually any music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the tune and utter beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord every time.

The music I’d like to be played at my funeral
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.

Anna Grant
Anna Grant

Maya Chen is a technology strategist with over 15 years of experience in IT consulting, specializing in digital transformation and cybersecurity solutions for enterprises.