John Simm's Revealing Playlist: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The initial track I became enamored with
My most primal memory is stepping into a room at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sound effects, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The very first 45 I purchased
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to choose a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own pocket money 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 dad mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.
The song I perform at karaoke
I honestly do not enjoy karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The piece I inexplicably recite every lyric to
I recently discovered that I have memorized virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The ideal tune to play at a gathering
It relies on the point of the event you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d move on to Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.
The track I can never bear
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate song to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The record that transformed me
When I was 12 and starting to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock music. As soon as he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was captivated.
The track that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The piece that gets me emotional
Most music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and sheer brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord consistently.
The song I’d like played at my final send-off
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
