John Simm's Revealing Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Dislikes
The initial tune I was captivated by
My first memory is stepping into a room at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The first single I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to pick a brand new record 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 the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my dad mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.
The song I perform at karaoke
I honestly do not enjoy public singing and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I inexplicably remember each line to
I not long ago became aware that I can recall almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The ideal tune to play at a gathering
It depends on which phase of the evening 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 transition into Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.
The song I can no longer listen to
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best piece to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The record that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and just learning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. The moment he placed the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The tune that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The track that brings me to tears
All music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the melody and utter perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord consistently.
The music I’d like to be played at my funeral
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
