John Simm's Candid Playlist: From Early Loves to Unexplained Aversions

The first track I was captivated by
My most primal memory is entering a room at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The first 45 I acquired
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to pick a brand new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I do at karaoke
I frankly actively avoid karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I strangely know every lyric to
I not long ago discovered that I can recall virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The perfect tune to blast at a gathering
It hinges on what stage of the event you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d transition into the Artist, 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 massive track.

The song I can not listen to
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ideal piece to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The album that changed my life
When I was twelve and starting to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. The moment he placed the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.

The track that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.

The song that makes me cry
Virtually any music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and pure perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard every time.

The song I’d like to be played at my memorial service
The King. 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.