John Simm's Revealing Playlist: From Early Loves to Unexplained Aversions

The earliest song I became enamored with
My most primal memory is stepping into a space at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The inaugural single I bought
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to select a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my dad noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I do at sing-along
I candidly do not enjoy public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I inexplicably know every lyric to
I not long ago became aware that I know virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The ideal tune to put on at a gathering
It hinges on what stage of the party you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d work through Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.

The song I can no longer hear
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ultimate track to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The album that transformed me
When I was twelve and starting to study the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock music. As soon as he dropped the record on the turntable, I was captivated.

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

The song that makes me cry
All music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the tune and pure beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going consistently.

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