John Simm's Revealing Playlist: From Early Favorites to Unexplained Aversions
The initial song I fell in love with
My most primal recollection is entering a space at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sound effects, and John Lennon bellowing: āFull speed ahead!ā When it reached the hook, I distinctly thought: āThis must be music!ā
The first record I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to choose a new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased 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 pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The song I perform at sing-along
I candidly do not enjoy karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, Iād go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The piece I strangely know each line to
I not long ago discovered that I know virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The ideal song to play at a soirƩe
It relies on which phase of the event you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, Iād move on to Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.
The track I can never hear
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best song to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The record that changed my life
When I was twelve and starting to learn the six-string, Iād only listen to classic rock ānāroll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. The moment he dropped the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The tune that wakes me in the AM
Whatād I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The song that brings me to tears
Most music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the tune and utter beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard without fail.
The track Iād like played at my memorial service
Elvis. If Iām given a cremation, Iāll have Burning Love. If Iām laid to rest in the ground, Iāll have Way Down.