John Simm's Honest Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Aversions

The earliest track I fell in love with
My first recollection is walking into a space at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The first single I bought
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to choose a new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, 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 record shop in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my father pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I perform at karaoke
I frankly actively avoid public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I oddly remember every lyric to
I not long ago became aware that I know almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The best track to play at a party
It depends on which phase of the evening you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d work through the Artist, the Stones and 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 massive track.

The number I can no longer bear
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ultimate piece to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The album that transformed me
When I was 12 and just learning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock music. Instantly after he dropped the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.

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

The track that gets me emotional
Most music leaves me moved. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the tune and utter brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard without fail.

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