John Simm's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Aversions

The initial tune I was captivated by
My first memory is walking into a space at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The first 45 I purchased
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to choose a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my dad mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The track I do at karaoke
I candidly actively avoid public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I strangely recite all the words to
I recently discovered that I have memorized almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The best track to blast at a party
It hinges on which phase of the evening you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d move on to Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.

The track I can never bear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The best song to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The album that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and starting to play the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. As soon as he put the vinyl on the record player, I was captivated.

The song that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.

The song that gets me emotional
Most music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the melody and pure beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard every time.

The music I’d like played at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.