John Simm's Revealing Playlist: From Early Loves to Peculiar Dislikes
The first song I was captivated by
My first memory is stepping into a space at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The very first 45 I bought
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a brand new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my father mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The song I sing at karaoke
I candidly cannot stand karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I strangely know all the words to
I recently discovered 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 track to put on at a soirée
It depends on what stage of the evening you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d work through the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.
The song I can no longer bear
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best track to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that changed my life
When I was twelve and beginning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, 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 AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. Instantly after he placed the record on the turntable, I was captivated.
The song that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The track that gets me emotional
All music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the harmony and pure perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord every time.
The track I’d like performed at my memorial service
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
