John Simm's Revealing Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Aversions
The earliest tune I became enamored with
My earliest memory is walking into a space at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The first record I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to choose a brand new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my father mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I perform at karaoke
I frankly cannot stand karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The track I oddly know each line to
I just became aware that I have memorized pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The best song to put on at a soirée
It depends on the point of the event you are at. At the start it would 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 really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.
The track I can no longer bear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ultimate song to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The record that transformed me
When I was 12 and just learning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon 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 electrifying rock ’n’roll. As soon as he dropped the record on the turntable, I was captivated.
The tune that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The track that brings me to tears
Virtually any music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the tune and sheer beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard consistently.
The track I’d like to be played at my funeral
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
