John Simm's Revealing Playlist: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The initial tune I fell in love with
My first memory is stepping into a room at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The very first record I acquired
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to pick a new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.
The tune I perform at sing-along
I honestly actively avoid karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I strangely remember every lyric to
I recently realised that I have memorized pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The perfect song to play at a soirée
It hinges on the point of the party you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.
The number I can never listen to
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ideal song to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and starting to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock music. Instantly after he placed the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.
The song that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The song that makes me cry
Virtually any music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the melody and sheer brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard every time.
The track I’d like played at my final send-off
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
