🔗 Share this article John Simm's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Aversions The first tune I fell in love withMy earliest memory is walking into a space at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!” The very first 45 I purchasedWhen I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to select a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I opted for 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 father mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles. The tune I sing at sing-alongI frankly cannot stand karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes. The piece I oddly know every lyric toI not long ago realised that I know pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter. The perfect tune to blast at a soiréeIt 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 move on to the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit. The song I can no longer bearI inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band. The ultimate piece to have sex toCome Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo. The album that changed my lifeWhen I was 12 and just learning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he dropped the vinyl on the turntable, I was a fan for life. The tune that wakes me in the AMWhat’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius. The song that makes me cryMost music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and utter brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard without fail. The music I’d like performed at my final send-offThe King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.