John Simm's Revealing Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Aversions
The first track I fell in love with
My most primal recollection is entering a room at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sound effects, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The very first 45 I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to select a new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.
The song I sing at sing-along
I honestly cannot stand public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I inexplicably recite all the words to
I not long ago discovered that I have memorized virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect song to put on at a party
It relies on the point of the evening you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d work through Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.
The number I can never listen to
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ideal song to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and beginning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock music. The moment he placed the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The tune that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The track that makes me cry
Most music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and utter perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going without fail.
The track I’d like to be played at my final send-off
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
