John Simm's Revealing Playlist: From Early Loves to Unexplained Aversions
The initial song I became enamored with
My earliest recollection is stepping into a space at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The first single I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.
The track I do at karaoke
I honestly cannot stand karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I oddly recite each line to
I not long ago realised that I know virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The perfect track to play at a party
It depends 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 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 Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.
The song I can not listen to
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal song to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and starting to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. As soon as he put the vinyl on the record player, I was captivated.
The track that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The track that gets me emotional
Virtually any music makes me moved. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the tune and utter perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going every time.
The song I’d like played at my funeral
The King. 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.