John Simm's Candid Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Aversions

The initial tune I became enamored with
My first memory is entering a space at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The very first 45 I bought
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to choose a brand new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I chose 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 music store in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my dad mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.

The tune I do at karaoke
I candidly cannot stand public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I oddly remember all the words to
I not long ago realised that I have memorized 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 ideal tune to blast at a soirée
It depends on which phase of the evening you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d transition into Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.

The track I can never hear
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The album that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and just learning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. Instantly after he put the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.

The song that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.

The track that brings me to tears
Virtually any music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and pure perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going every time.

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