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

The earliest track I fell in love with
My most primal memory is entering a space at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The first 45 I bought
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I opted for 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 record shop in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my father pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.

The track I perform at karaoke
I candidly do not enjoy karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I inexplicably recite every lyric to
I not long ago realised that I know pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The best track to blast at a soirée
It hinges on what stage of the party you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, 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 Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.

The song I can never bear
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The best piece to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The LP that transformed me
When I was twelve and beginning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock music. Instantly after he put the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.

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

The song that gets me emotional
Virtually any music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and sheer perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going every time.

The music I’d like performed at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.