John Simm's Revealing Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Aversions
The earliest tune I was captivated by
My first memory is walking into a room at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, 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 select a brand new record to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.
The track I sing at sing-along
I frankly cannot stand karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I strangely remember all the words to
I recently realised that I have memorized almost the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal tune to play at a soirée
It hinges on which phase of the event you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d work through Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.
The track I can not hear
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best song to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and beginning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock music. Instantly after he dropped the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The song that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The track that makes me cry
Virtually any music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and pure perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going consistently.
The track I’d like to be played at my memorial service
Elvis. 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.
