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

The earliest song I fell in love with
My most primal memory is walking into a room at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The very first 45 I acquired
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, 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 Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my father pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.

The tune I do at sing-along
I candidly do not enjoy karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The piece I oddly know every lyric to
I recently realised that I have memorized almost the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The best tune to put on at a soirée
It depends on which phase 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 evening progresses, I’d work through Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.

The track I can no longer hear
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The best track to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The LP that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and beginning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was consumed by Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he put the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.

The tune that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.

The piece that gets me emotional
Most music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the tune and utter perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord consistently.

The music 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.