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

The earliest tune I was captivated by
My earliest recollection is walking into a room at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The very first record I purchased
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to select a new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my dad mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.

The track I do at karaoke
I candidly actively avoid public singing and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

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

The best song to blast at a party
It depends on the point of the event you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into Prince, the Stones and 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 bear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ideal song to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The record that transformed me
When I was twelve and beginning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. As soon as he placed the record on the record player, I was hooked.

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

The song that brings me to tears
Most music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the melody and utter perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord every time.

The music I’d like 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.