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

The first tune I was captivated by
My most primal recollection is entering a room at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The first single I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.

The track I sing at sing-along
I frankly do not enjoy karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I strangely remember each line to
I just realised that I know almost the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The perfect track to play at a gathering
It relies on the point of the party you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, 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 the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.

The track I can no longer hear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The LP that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and beginning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. As soon as he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was captivated.

The tune that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.

The song that gets me emotional
Virtually any music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the tune and utter beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going consistently.

The music I’d like played at my memorial service
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.