John Simm's Revealing Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Dislikes
The earliest tune I was captivated by
My most primal recollection is stepping into a space at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The inaugural record I purchased
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my dad mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I do at karaoke
I frankly do not enjoy karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The piece I strangely remember every lyric to
I recently became aware that I know 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 track to blast at a party
It depends on which phase 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 evening progresses, I’d work through Prince, the Rolling Stones and 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 track I can never hear
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best song to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The record that transformed me
When I was 12 and starting to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. Instantly after he dropped the vinyl on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The tune that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The piece that makes me cry
All music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the melody and utter beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going without fail.
The music I’d like to be played at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
