John Simm's Honest Playlist: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Aversions

The earliest tune I became enamored with
My most primal memory is walking into a space at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The first 45 I purchased
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to choose a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was No 1 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 karaoke
I frankly cannot stand public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I oddly recite all the words to
I just realised that I can recall pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The ideal song to play at a soirée
It depends on what stage of the party you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.

The number I can not bear
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ideal song to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The record that changed my life
When I was twelve and just learning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock music. As soon as he dropped the record on the turntable, I was captivated.

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

The piece that makes me cry
Virtually any music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the harmony and sheer perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going without fail.

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