John Simm's Revealing Playlist: From Early Loves to Peculiar Dislikes

The initial tune I fell in love with
My first recollection is walking into a space at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The inaugural 45 I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a brand new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my dad pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The song I sing at sing-along
I candidly cannot stand public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The song I oddly know all the words to
I not long ago discovered 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 perfect track to put on at a soirée
It depends on what stage of the event you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.

The track I can not listen to
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ideal piece to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The LP that transformed me
When I was twelve and starting to study the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock music. The moment he put the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.

The tune that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.

The piece that gets me emotional
All music leaves me moved. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the tune and utter beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord consistently.

The song 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.