John Simm's Revealing Playlist: From Early Loves to Peculiar Aversions
The first song I became enamored with
My most primal memory is entering a room at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sound effects, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The first record I bought
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to choose a brand new record to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own savings 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 father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I sing at sing-along
I honestly do not enjoy karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I inexplicably know every lyric to
I recently discovered that I know almost the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The ideal song to put on at a gathering
It relies on the point of the party 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 work through the Artist, the Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The song I can no longer listen to
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best song to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that transformed me
When I was twelve and just learning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. The moment he dropped the record on the record player, I was hooked.
The tune that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The song that makes me cry
Most music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the tune and sheer perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard without fail.
The track I’d like played at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
