John Simm's Revealing Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The initial song I fell in love with
My most primal recollection is entering a space at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The very first single I acquired
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own pocket money 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 mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.
The song I do at sing-along
I honestly do not enjoy karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I inexplicably remember all the words to
I just became aware that I can recall pretty much 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 ideal track to blast at a party
It relies on what stage of the party you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d move on to Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The track I can not hear
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ideal song to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The record that transformed me
When I was twelve and just learning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. Instantly after he put the vinyl on the turntable, I was captivated.
The track that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The piece that makes me cry
Virtually any music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and sheer brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going every time.
The song I’d like to be 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.
