John Simm's Honest Musical Selections: From Early Favorites to Unexplained Aversions

The first tune I fell in love with
My earliest recollection is walking into a space at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The inaugural 45 I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my father mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The track I perform at karaoke
I honestly do not enjoy public singing and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The piece I inexplicably know every lyric to
I just became aware that I know almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The perfect track to blast at a soirée
It depends on the point of the event you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d work through the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.

The track I can never listen to
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The best track to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The album that transformed me
When I was twelve and beginning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock music. As soon as he put the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.

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

The piece that gets me emotional
Virtually any music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and utter perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going every time.

The track I’d like performed 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.