John Simm's Candid Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes

The earliest song I became enamored with
My most primal memory is stepping into a room at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The inaugural single I acquired
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's 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 one of the Beatles.

The track I sing at sing-along
I candidly actively avoid karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The piece I strangely remember every lyric to
I just discovered that I can recall pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The ideal track to put on at a party
It hinges on which phase of the evening you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d move on to the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.

The song I can never hear
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ultimate track to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The LP that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and beginning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock music. As soon as he put the record on the turntable, I was hooked.

The song that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.

The song that brings me to tears
Virtually any music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and sheer perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going consistently.

The music I’d like to be played at my final send-off
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.