John Simm's Honest Musical Selections: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Aversions

The earliest song I was captivated by
My most primal memory is entering a room at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the audio textures, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The inaugural single I acquired
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought 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 pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.

The tune I do at karaoke
I honestly actively avoid karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I strangely know each line to
I not long ago became aware that I know virtually 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 perfect song to put on at a gathering
It relies on which phase of the party you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d move on to the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.

The song I can never bear
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The LP that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and beginning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock music. The moment he dropped the record on the record player, I was captivated.

The tune that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.

The piece that brings me to tears
Most music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the tune and sheer brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard every time.

The music I’d like performed at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.