John Simm's Candid Playlist: From Early Loves to Unexplained Aversions

The first track I fell in love with
My earliest memory is walking into a space at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the audio textures, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The inaugural single I bought
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to select a brand new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my father pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I perform at karaoke
I candidly cannot stand public singing and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I inexplicably recite each line to
I recently realised that I can recall virtually 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 tune to blast at a gathering
It hinges on the point of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d move on to 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 absolute banger.

The number I can no longer hear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The album that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and beginning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he dropped the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.

The tune that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.

The piece that gets me emotional
Most music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and utter brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord consistently.

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