🔗 Share this article John Simm's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Aversions The initial tune I became enamored withMy earliest memory is walking into a room at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!” The first single I boughtWhen I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles. The song I do at karaokeI frankly actively avoid karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra. The song I strangely recite every lyric toI not long ago became aware that I know almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter. The perfect song to put on at a soiréeIt hinges on the point of the event you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d work through the Artist, the 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 never hearI strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Killers. The ideal song to make love toCome Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo. The record that altered my perspectiveWhen I was 12 and just learning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to early 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 childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock music. Instantly after he put the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked. The tune that motivates me in the morningWhat’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius. The piece that makes me cryAll music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the melody and pure beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard every time. The track I’d like performed at my memorial serviceThe King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.