John Simm's Revealing Playlist: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Aversions
The earliest song I fell in love with
My most primal recollection is entering a room at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The first single I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my father mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The tune I perform at sing-along
I honestly actively avoid karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I strangely remember each line to
I just discovered that I have memorized virtually 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 tune to put on at a soirée
It hinges on what stage of the evening you are at. For the beginning 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 Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.
The song I can no longer hear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best track to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The record that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and beginning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he put the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The track that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The piece that brings me to tears
Most music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and utter brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard consistently.
The song I’d like to be played at my memorial service
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
