John Simm's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Unexplained Aversions

The earliest tune I was captivated by
My earliest recollection is stepping into a room at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The very first single I bought
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to choose a new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, 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 Colne. 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 song I do at karaoke
I frankly actively avoid karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The song I oddly remember every lyric to
I just realised that I know 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 party
It hinges on which phase of the party you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.

The number I can no longer bear
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The record that changed my life
When I was 12 and beginning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. As soon as he put the record on the record player, I was hooked.

The tune that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.

The track that gets me emotional
All music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the melody and pure brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord without fail.

The music I’d like performed at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.