John Simm's Revealing Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes
The first song I became enamored with
My earliest memory is entering a space at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sound effects, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The inaugural 45 I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to select a brand new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.
The song I sing at karaoke
I honestly actively avoid karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I strangely remember all the words to
I recently realised that I know virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The best song to put on at a soirée
It depends on the point of the party you are at. For the beginning 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 Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The song I can not hear
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate track to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that transformed me
When I was 12 and starting to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. As soon as he put the record on the turntable, I was captivated.
The track that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The track that makes me cry
All music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the harmony and pure perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going without fail.
The song I’d like to be played at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
