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

The first song I became enamored with
My earliest recollection is stepping into a space at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The first single I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my dad mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.

The song I perform at karaoke
I candidly do not enjoy karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The piece I strangely recite all the words 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 perfect song to put on at a gathering
It depends on the point of the party you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d transition into Prince, the 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 undeniable hit.

The song I can no longer bear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The record that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and just learning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. The moment he put the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.

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

The piece that makes me cry
Virtually any music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the tune and pure beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard every time.

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