John Simm's Revealing Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Aversions

The initial track I fell in love with
My first memory is entering a space at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the audio textures, and John Lennon bellowing: ā€œFull speed ahead!ā€ When it arrived at the hook, I distinctly thought: ā€œThis must be music!ā€

The inaugural single I purchased
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to pick a brand new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my dad noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The song I perform at karaoke
I candidly actively avoid karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The song I strangely know every lyric to
I not long ago became aware that I can recall virtually 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 soirƩe
It relies on the point of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.

The track I can not listen to
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The best piece to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The record that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and starting to study the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter brought round 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 record on the record player, I was a fan for life.

The song that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.

The song that makes me cry
Virtually any music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the tune and pure perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going consistently.

The song I’d like to be played at my memorial service
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.

Zachary Welch
Zachary Welch

A passionate writer and tech enthusiast with a background in digital marketing, sharing actionable insights and personal experiences.