John Simm's Revealing Playlist: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The initial song I became enamored with
My most primal recollection is walking into a room at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The first 45 I purchased
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to select a new vinyl 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 record I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's 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 do at karaoke
I frankly do not enjoy public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I oddly know every lyric to
I recently became aware that I can recall pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect track to put on at a gathering
It depends on what stage 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 party deepens, I’d transition into the Artist, the Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, 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 bear
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate song to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that changed my life
When I was 12 and just learning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock music. The moment he put the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The track that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The song that brings me to tears
All music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and sheer perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard every time.
The song I’d like played at my memorial service
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
