John Simm's Revealing Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Unexplained Aversions
The first track I became enamored with
My first recollection is stepping into a space at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The very first single I purchased
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to select a brand new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my dad mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The tune I sing at karaoke
I frankly cannot stand karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I inexplicably recite every lyric to
I just realised that I know virtually 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 ideal tune to blast at a soirée
It relies on what stage of the event you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.
The track I can never hear
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal song to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that transformed me
When I was 12 and just learning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was obsessed with The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. Instantly after he placed the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The tune that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The piece that gets me emotional
All music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and sheer brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going without fail.
The song I’d like played at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
