John Simm's Revealing Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The earliest tune I was captivated by
My first memory is entering a space at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The inaugural 45 I bought
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to select a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my father pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The tune I perform at sing-along
I frankly cannot stand karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The track I inexplicably know every lyric to
I not long ago became aware 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 Paul Simon.
The perfect song to play at a party
It hinges on which phase of the party you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David 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 not bear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ultimate song to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that transformed me
When I was 12 and starting to study the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was consumed by Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock music. Instantly after he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.
The tune that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The piece that makes me cry
Most music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the tune and utter perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going without fail.
The track I’d like performed at my memorial service
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.
