John Simm's Honest Musical Selections: From Early Loves to Unexplained Dislikes

The initial song I became enamored with
My first recollection is walking into a space at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The first single I acquired
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my dad noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I sing at sing-along
I candidly actively avoid karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I strangely recite all the words to
I not long ago became aware that I know almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The ideal track to blast at a party
It depends on which phase of the event you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d move on to Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.

The song I can no longer listen to
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ultimate song to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The LP that transformed me
When I was twelve and beginning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he dropped the record on the turntable, I was captivated.

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

The piece that makes me cry
Most music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the tune and utter perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord without fail.

The track I’d like to be played at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.