John Simm's Revealing Playlist: From Early Favorites to Unexplained Aversions

The initial tune I became enamored with
My first recollection is entering a space at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and John Lennon yelling: ā€œFull speed ahead!ā€ When it arrived at the chorus, I remember thinking: ā€œThis must be music!ā€

The inaugural record I purchased
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to pick a brand new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. 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 tune I sing at sing-along
I honestly actively avoid public singing and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I oddly remember each line to
I recently realised that I have memorized almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The best tune to put on at a gathering
It relies on what stage of the party you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d work through Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.

The number I can not hear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ultimate piece to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The album that changed my life
When I was twelve and just learning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. As soon as he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was captivated.

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

The track that makes me cry
Virtually any music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the tune and pure perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going every time.

The track I’d like performed at my final send-off
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.

Christopher Chavez
Christopher Chavez

Tech journalist and product testing expert with over a decade of experience evaluating consumer electronics and gadgets.