John Simm's Revealing Musical Selections: From Early 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 spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sound effects, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The inaugural record I bought
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to select a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my dad pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.

The tune I sing at sing-along
I frankly actively avoid karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I oddly recite every lyric to
I recently became aware that I have memorized almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The ideal track to blast at a gathering
It relies on the point of the party you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d work through Prince, 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 track I can not listen to
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The record that transformed me
When I was 12 and just learning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. The moment he put the record on the record player, I was captivated.

The song that wakes 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 touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the harmony and sheer beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord consistently.

The music 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 buried, I’ll have Way Down.

Gary Kelly
Gary Kelly

Fashion enthusiast and lifestyle blogger with a passion for sustainable trends and creative expression.