John Simm's Revealing Playlist: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The initial tune I became enamored with
My most primal memory is walking into a room at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sound effects, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The very first record I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to select a new vinyl 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 single I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my dad noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I do at sing-along
I frankly cannot stand karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I oddly remember each line 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 each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The ideal track to play at a gathering
It depends on the point of the party you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. 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 song I can not bear
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best song to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The record that changed my life
When I was twelve and starting to play the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. As soon as he put the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.
The song that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The track that gets me emotional
Virtually any music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the melody and utter brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going every time.
The music I’d like to be played at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
