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

The earliest track I became enamored with
My first memory is stepping into a space at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The very first single I acquired
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a brand new vinyl 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 record I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The song I sing at sing-along
I frankly actively avoid karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The piece I strangely recite all the words to
I not long ago discovered that I have memorized almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The perfect tune to blast at a soirée
It depends on what stage of the event you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.

The number I can never bear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The album that changed my life
When I was 12 and beginning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. The moment he put the vinyl on the turntable, I was a fan for life.

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

The song that gets me emotional
Virtually any music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and utter perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard consistently.

The music I’d like performed at my funeral
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.