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

The first track I became enamored with
My first recollection is entering a space at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The inaugural single I bought
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to pick a brand new vinyl 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 the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.

The track I do at karaoke
I honestly cannot stand karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I oddly remember each line to
I recently realised that I have memorized pretty much 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 perfect tune to put on at a soirée
It depends on what stage of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d work through Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.

The song I can never listen to
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The album that changed my life
When I was 12 and just learning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock music. As soon as he dropped the record on the record player, I was hooked.

The song that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.

The track that gets me emotional
All music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the melody and utter brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going 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.