John Simm's Revealing Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Unexplained Aversions
The first track I became enamored with
My first memory is entering a space at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The inaugural record I purchased
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to pick a brand new record to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own allowance 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 dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.
The song I sing at karaoke
I frankly actively avoid public singing and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I oddly know each line to
I just discovered that I can recall almost 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 song to blast at a party
It relies on what stage of the party 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 song I can never hear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal piece to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and beginning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, 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 rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. The moment he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.
The track that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The track that brings me to tears
All music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and sheer brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard without fail.
The music I’d like played at my funeral
Elvis. 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.