John Simm's Revealing Playlist: From Early Loves to Peculiar Aversions
The earliest song I was captivated by
My most primal memory is stepping into a room at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The first record I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I sing at karaoke
I candidly do not enjoy karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I strangely remember each line to
I just realised that I can recall virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect song to play at a soirée
It hinges on which phase of the event you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d work through the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.
The song I can never listen to
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best piece to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The record that changed my life
When I was 12 and starting to study the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock music. The moment he put the record on the turntable, I was hooked.
The track that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The piece that gets me emotional
Most music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and pure beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going every time.
The music I’d like to be played at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
