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

The earliest song I became enamored with
My first memory is entering a space at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sound effects, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The inaugural 45 I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my dad pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I do at sing-along
I honestly do not enjoy karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I inexplicably know each line to
I not long ago discovered that I know pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The ideal song to play at a soirée
It depends on which phase of the party you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d transition into Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.

The track I can no longer bear
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ideal piece to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The record that changed my life
When I was 12 and beginning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he placed the record on the record player, I was hooked.

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

The piece that gets me emotional
Most music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and utter perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going consistently.

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