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

The initial song I was captivated by
My most primal memory is stepping into a room at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The inaugural 45 I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my dad mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The song I sing at sing-along
I frankly actively avoid public singing and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The song I strangely remember all the words to
I just became aware that I can recall pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The best song to play at a gathering
It relies on the point of the evening you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d work through Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.

The track I can no longer bear
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The best piece to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The record that changed my life
When I was 12 and starting to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, 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 ’n’roll. The moment he dropped the record on the record player, I was hooked.

The tune that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.

The track that gets me emotional
Virtually any music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and pure beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord without fail.

The track I’d like played at my funeral
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.