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

The earliest track I was captivated by
My earliest recollection is entering a space at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The first single I purchased
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 Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my father mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The track I do at sing-along
I candidly actively avoid public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The song I strangely remember every lyric to
I not long ago became aware that I can recall pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The ideal tune to play at a soirée
It hinges on the point of the evening you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d work through Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.

The number I can never bear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The best song to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The album that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and beginning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he dropped the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.

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

The track that gets me emotional
All music makes me moved. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and sheer brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard every time.

The song I’d like performed at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.