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

The first song I became enamored with
My earliest recollection is entering a space at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sound effects, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The first 45 I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store 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 tune I sing at sing-along
I honestly do not enjoy karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The piece I inexplicably remember all the words to
I recently discovered that I know almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The best tune to play at a gathering
It hinges on the point of the event you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d work through the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.

The song I can not bear
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ideal track to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The record that transformed me
When I was 12 and beginning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon 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. The moment he dropped the record on the turntable, I was hooked.

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

The track that makes me cry
Virtually any music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the melody and pure brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going every time.

The song I’d like performed 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.