John Simm's Revealing Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes
The first tune I was captivated by
My first recollection is entering a space at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The first record I purchased
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to select a brand new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The tune I perform at sing-along
I honestly actively avoid karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I inexplicably know every lyric to
I recently discovered that I can recall pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The best song to put on at a party
It relies on which phase of the event you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, 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 the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The song I can never bear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ideal track to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and beginning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. The moment 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 track that brings me to tears
Most music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the melody and sheer beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard consistently.
The track I’d like to be played at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
