John Simm's Revealing Playlist: From Early Loves to Peculiar Dislikes
The first tune I fell in love with
My most primal memory is stepping into a space at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The first record I acquired
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to pick a new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my father pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.
The tune I do at karaoke
I honestly cannot stand public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I oddly know every lyric to
I not long ago realised that I know pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The best track to play at a gathering
It relies on what stage of the event you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to the Artist, the Stones and 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 song I can not listen to
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best piece to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that transformed me
When I was 12 and beginning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock music. As soon as he put the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The song that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The piece that brings me to tears
Virtually any music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and utter perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard consistently.
The song 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.
