John Simm's Revealing Playlist: From Early Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes

The first song I became enamored with
My most primal memory is stepping into a room at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The inaugural single I acquired
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to choose a new record 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 single I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my dad mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.

The song I do at karaoke
I honestly cannot stand karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The piece I oddly know all the words to
I recently discovered that I can recall pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The ideal tune to blast at a gathering
It hinges on what stage of the event you are at. For the beginning it would most likely 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 gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.

The song I can no longer bear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ideal piece to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The album that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and just learning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock music. Instantly after he put the vinyl on the turntable, I was a fan for life.

The song that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.

The track that makes me cry
All music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the melody and pure beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard every time.

The track 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.