John Simm's Revealing Playlist: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Aversions
The initial track I fell in love with
My earliest memory is entering a room at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The very first single I bought
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to pick a new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own pocket money 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 one of the Beatles.
The song I perform at karaoke
I candidly cannot stand karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The track I strangely know every lyric to
I recently discovered that I know almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect song to blast at a gathering
It relies on what stage of the party you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d move on to Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.
The number I can no longer bear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate song to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that transformed me
When I was 12 and just learning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. The moment he put the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.
The track that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The track that brings me to tears
Virtually any music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the tune and utter perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going every time.
The track I’d like performed at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
