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

The earliest track I was captivated by
My first recollection is walking into a space at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The first single I acquired
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my dad noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I do at sing-along
I candidly actively avoid karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I inexplicably recite all the words to
I not long ago became aware that I have memorized virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The perfect track to blast at a soirée
It hinges on the point of the evening you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d work through 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 number I can never listen to
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The record that changed my life
When I was 12 and starting to play the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. As soon as he put the record on the record player, I was hooked.

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

The piece that makes me cry
All music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the harmony and pure brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord without fail.

The song I’d like to be played at my final send-off
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.