John Simm's Revealing Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The initial song I became enamored with
My earliest memory is walking into a room at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the audio textures, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The very first single I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my dad pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The tune I perform at karaoke
I candidly cannot stand public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I inexplicably know every lyric to
I not long ago became aware that I can recall virtually the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect tune to blast at a soirée
It depends on which phase 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 night wears on, I’d move on to Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The number I can not bear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ideal song to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The record that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and beginning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. As soon as he dropped the record on the record player, I was captivated.
The track that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The piece that makes me cry
Most music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and utter perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord consistently.
The music I’d like performed at my final send-off
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
