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

The initial song I fell in love with
My earliest recollection is walking into a space at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The inaugural record I acquired
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to pick a brand new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. 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 song I perform at sing-along
I honestly cannot stand public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I inexplicably remember each line to
I not long ago became aware that I can recall almost 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 ideal track to put on at a gathering
It hinges on the point of the evening you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d work through the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.

The song I can never hear
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The best song to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The LP that changed my life
When I was 12 and starting to study the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock music. Instantly after he placed the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.

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

The track that brings me to tears
Most music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and pure perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard every time.

The song I’d like performed at my funeral
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.