John Simm's Candid Musical Selections: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes

The earliest song I was captivated by
My earliest recollection is entering a space at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The very first 45 I purchased
When I was eight years old, 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 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 record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my dad pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.

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

The track I inexplicably remember every lyric to
I recently became aware that I have memorized pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The ideal song to blast at a party
It hinges on which phase of the party you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d transition into the Artist, the Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.

The track I can not listen to
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The LP that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and beginning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was consumed by Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock music. As soon as he dropped the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.

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

The song that gets me emotional
Virtually any music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the tune and utter perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord consistently.

The music I’d like to be played at my final send-off
Elvis. 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.