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

The initial tune I was captivated by
My most primal recollection is stepping into a space at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The very first 45 I bought
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to choose a brand new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single 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 chose it when my father mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.

The tune I perform at karaoke
I candidly actively avoid public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The song I strangely remember each line to
I just discovered that I have memorized almost the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The ideal tune to blast at a soirée
It relies on what stage of the event you are at. At the start 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 really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.

The number I can never listen to
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The LP that transformed me
When I was twelve and just learning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. As soon as he put the record on the turntable, I was captivated.

The song that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.

The track that brings me to tears
Most music leaves me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the melody and sheer perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going every time.

The song I’d like to be played at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.