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

The first song I was captivated by
My first recollection is entering a space at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The first record I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The song I sing at sing-along
I honestly do not enjoy public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

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

The ideal tune to play at a gathering
It relies on which phase of the party you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d work through the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.

The song I can not hear
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ideal track to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The LP that changed my life
When I was twelve and just learning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he dropped the vinyl on the record player, I was captivated.

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

The track that gets me emotional
All music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and sheer beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard every time.

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 buried, I’ll have Way Down.