John Simm's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Dislikes

The earliest track I was captivated by
My most primal memory is stepping into a space at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon shouting: ā€œFull speed ahead!ā€ When it arrived at the hook, I remember thinking: ā€œThis must be music!ā€

The very first single I acquired
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to select a brand new record to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The tune I sing at karaoke
I honestly actively avoid public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The piece I strangely remember all the words to
I recently realised that I have memorized almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The perfect song to play at a party
It depends on which phase of the party you are at. Early doors it would most 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 Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.

The track I can never hear
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The record that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and starting to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock music. Instantly after he put the vinyl on the turntable, I was captivated.

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

The track that brings me to tears
All music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the harmony and utter beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going without fail.

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 laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.

Craig Brown
Craig Brown

A passionate gaming journalist with over a decade of experience covering console and PC gaming trends across Europe.