John Simm Hates Mr. Brightside: An Actor's Musical Firsts

Actor John Simm discovered what music was by hearing The Beatles. Now, he shares the songs that shaped his life. His earliest memory is walking into a nursery school room where "Yellow Submarine" was playing. The sound effects and John Lennon's shouting captivated him. He recalls thinking at the chorus: "This must be music!" The first single he ever selected was "Come Back My Love" by Darts. He was eight years old and won a school competition to choose a record for a weekly disco. Later, he used his own pocket money to buy his first single. He chose Wings' "Mull of Kintyre" from a shop in Lancashire. His father pointed out it was by a former Beatle, and the song was number one at the time. Simm also admits he inexplicably dislikes the famous song "Mr. Brightside" by The Killers.