John Simm's Revealing Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Aversions
The first tune I fell in love with
My first memory is walking into a room at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The inaugural record I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my father mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The tune I perform at sing-along
I frankly actively avoid public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I oddly recite each line to
I recently discovered that I know virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The best tune to play at a party
It relies on the point of the event you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into 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 the virtual band, which is an massive track.
The track I can no longer listen to
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ideal track to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and starting to play the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by The King, 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 electrifying rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he placed the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The song that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The song that brings me to tears
Most music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the melody and pure brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard without fail.
The music I’d like to be played at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.