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

The first track I fell in love with
My first memory is entering a room at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sound effects, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The very first record I acquired
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to select a new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The track I perform at sing-along
I honestly actively avoid karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I inexplicably recite each line to
I just discovered that I can recall virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The perfect tune to blast at a soirée
It hinges on the point of the evening you are at. For the beginning 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 Rolling 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 number I can never bear
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The album that transformed me
When I was twelve and just learning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock music. As soon as he dropped the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.

The song that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.

The track that makes me cry
All music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and sheer beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord consistently.

The music I’d like to be played at my funeral
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.