John Simm's Honest Playlist: From Early Loves to Unexplained Aversions
The initial track I was captivated by
My first memory is walking into a room at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The inaugural 45 I bought
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to pick a new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased 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 dad mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The song I perform at karaoke
I candidly actively avoid karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The track I strangely recite every lyric to
I just discovered that I know almost the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The ideal track to put on at a party
It hinges on which phase of the event you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d move on to Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.
The number I can not listen to
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best song to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that transformed me
When I was 12 and beginning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. Instantly after he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.
The tune that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The piece that gets me emotional
Virtually any music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the melody and pure brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard every time.
The song I’d like played at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.