John Simm's Revealing Playlist: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The first track I fell in love with
My first memory is entering a space at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the audio textures, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The very first single I bought
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to choose a brand new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, 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 record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my dad pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.
The track I sing at sing-along
I candidly cannot stand karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I inexplicably recite each line to
I recently became aware that I can recall almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal song to blast at a party
It depends on which phase of the party you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d transition into the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, 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 loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal song to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and just learning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he placed the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The track that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The piece that gets me emotional
Most music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and pure beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord every time.
The song I’d like to be played at my funeral
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
