John Simm's Candid Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Aversions

The earliest track I fell in love with
My first recollection is stepping into a space at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sound effects, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The very first single I acquired
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to select a brand new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my dad pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.

The song I perform at sing-along
I honestly do not enjoy karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The piece I inexplicably remember every lyric to
I recently 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 perfect tune to put on at a party
It hinges on which phase of the event you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into the Artist, the Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.

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

The best track to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The LP that transformed me
When I was twelve and starting to play the guitar, I’d only listen to early 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 played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. Instantly after he put the vinyl on the record player, I was captivated.

The song that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.

The track that makes me cry
All music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and utter brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord without fail.

The song I’d like performed at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.