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

The first song I fell in love with
My first memory is walking into a space at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The inaugural 45 I acquired
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to choose a brand new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. 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 allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my dad mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.

The track I sing at karaoke
I frankly do not enjoy karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The piece I oddly know all the words to
I not long ago became aware that I can recall virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The best song to put on at a gathering
It hinges on the point of the event you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d work through the Artist, the Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.

The song I can not listen to
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ideal song to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The record that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and starting to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. As soon as he put the vinyl on the turntable, 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 brings me to tears
Virtually any music makes me moved. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the melody and utter beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord without fail.

The song I’d like played at my final send-off
The King. 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.