John Simm's Revealing Playlist: From Early Loves to Peculiar Aversions
The first track I became enamored with
My first memory is stepping into a room at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The first record I acquired
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.
The track I sing at sing-along
I honestly do not enjoy public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I strangely remember every lyric to
I just realised that I can recall virtually the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The best track to blast at a gathering
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 Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.
The track I can not hear
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ideal song to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The record that transformed me
When I was twelve and beginning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. The moment he dropped the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The tune that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The piece that brings me to tears
All music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the harmony and sheer beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going every time.
The song I’d like performed at my funeral
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
