John Simm's Honest Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Aversions

The earliest tune I was captivated by
My earliest memory is entering a space at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The inaugural record I bought
When I was eight years old, 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 instructor took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my dad noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The track I sing at karaoke
I candidly do not enjoy karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The piece I strangely know all the words to
I just discovered that I know virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The ideal track to blast at a soirée
It depends on what stage of the evening you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d move on to Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.

The song I can no longer hear
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ultimate piece to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The album that changed my life
When I was 12 and starting to play the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. The moment he placed the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.

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

The song that makes me cry
Most music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the harmony and utter perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord consistently.

The song I’d like to be played at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.