John Simm's Revealing Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Aversions
The earliest song I became enamored with
My earliest recollection is entering a room at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The inaugural single I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to select a brand 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 purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my dad noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I perform at karaoke
I candidly do not enjoy public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I strangely recite each line to
I not long ago realised that I can recall almost the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The ideal song to play at a soirée
It depends on which phase of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d transition into the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David 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 absolute banger.
The track I can never listen to
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ultimate song to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that changed my life
When I was twelve and beginning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he placed the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.
The song that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The piece that makes me cry
All music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the harmony and pure beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord without fail.
The track 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 buried, I’ll have Way Down.
