John Simm's Revealing Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Unexplained Dislikes

The first song I became enamored with
My first recollection is entering a space at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The very first single I bought
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to select a brand new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The track I perform at sing-along
I candidly actively avoid public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I oddly recite each line to
I recently realised that I can recall pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The perfect tune to put on at a gathering
It hinges on what stage of the party you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d transition into the Artist, 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 absolute banger.

The number I can no longer bear
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ideal track to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The album that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and beginning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock music. As soon as he put the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.

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

The track that gets me emotional
All music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and pure beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord without fail.

The music I’d like to be played at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.