John Simm's Candid Playlist: From Early Loves to Peculiar Dislikes

The first tune I became enamored with
My first memory is entering a room at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and John Lennon shouting: “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, I won a contest at school to select a new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my dad pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The song I perform at sing-along
I candidly actively avoid karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The piece I strangely recite each line to
I just became aware that I can recall almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The best song to put on at a party
It relies on which phase of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d transition into the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.

The number I can not bear
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The album that transformed me
When I was twelve and starting to study the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. As soon as he dropped the record on the record player, I was captivated.

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

The song that gets me emotional
All music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and sheer beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard without fail.

The song I’d like performed at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.