John Simm's Revealing Playlist: From Early Loves to Unexplained Dislikes
The earliest song I became enamored with
My earliest recollection 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 bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The very first 45 I acquired
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher 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 savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I perform at karaoke
I frankly do not enjoy karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I strangely remember each line to
I not long ago discovered that I have memorized virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The best tune to put on at a soirée
It hinges on the point of the event you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d work through Prince, the Rolling 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 absolute banger.
The song I can never bear
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best piece to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and just learning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and 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 played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he dropped the vinyl on the record player, I was captivated.
The tune that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The piece that gets me emotional
All music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and sheer brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord without fail.
The song I’d like played at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
