John Simm's Candid Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes

The first track I was captivated by
My first recollection is stepping into a room at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sound effects, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The inaugural single I purchased
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to select a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my dad pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.

The tune I perform at sing-along
I honestly cannot stand public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The song I strangely know each line to
I just realised that I can recall pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The perfect track to put on at a gathering
It depends on what stage of the event you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d transition into Prince, the Rolling Stones and David 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 absolute banger.

The track I can not listen to
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The album that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and just learning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. The moment he dropped the record on the record player, I was captivated.

The song that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.

The track that gets me emotional
Most music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the tune and sheer perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going consistently.

The track I’d like played at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.