John Simm's Revealing Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Unexplained Aversions
The earliest tune I was captivated by
My most primal recollection is walking into a room at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The very first single I bought
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my dad pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.
The song I sing at sing-along
I honestly actively avoid 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 recently discovered that I can recall almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal song to blast at a gathering
It relies on the point of the event you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d move on to Prince, the 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 massive track.
The song I can no longer hear
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best track to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that changed my life
When I was 12 and starting to study the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. As soon as he placed the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.
The tune that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The piece that makes me cry
Most music makes me moved. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and pure beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going without fail.
The song I’d like played at my final send-off
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
