John Simm's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Aversions

The first song I was captivated by
My most primal memory is entering a space at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the audio textures, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The very first single I purchased
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to pick a new record to play at the small dance 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 bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my dad mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.

The track I sing at karaoke
I honestly cannot stand public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The song I strangely recite each line to
I just discovered that I know virtually the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The ideal track to put on at a party
It hinges on which phase of the party you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d move on to Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.

The track I can no longer listen to
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The album that transformed me
When I was twelve and just learning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. As soon as he put the record on the record player, I was captivated.

The tune that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.

The track that makes me cry
Virtually any music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the melody and sheer brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord consistently.

The track I’d like to be played at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.