John Simm's Revealing Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Aversions
The initial track I became enamored with
My most primal memory is entering a room at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sound effects, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The first single I purchased
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to choose a brand new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my father pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I perform at sing-along
I frankly actively avoid public singing and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I inexplicably remember each line to
I not long ago became aware that I have memorized almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The ideal song to put on at a party
It hinges on which phase of the party you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to the Artist, the Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.
The number I can no longer bear
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best track to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that changed my life
When I was 12 and beginning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he placed the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.
The song that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The track that brings me to tears
All music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the tune and pure beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard 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.
