John Simm's Revealing Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Dislikes

The initial track I fell in love with
My most primal memory is walking into a space at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The very first record I bought
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to pick a brand new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I opted for 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 Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my dad pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.

The tune I perform at sing-along
I candidly cannot stand karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I strangely remember all the words to
I not long ago became aware 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 blast at a party
It relies on the point of the evening you are at. Early doors 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 Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.

The number I can no longer listen to
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The best song to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The album that changed my life
When I was twelve and beginning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock music. The moment he put the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.

The track that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.

The piece that makes me cry
Most music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the tune and pure beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord every time.

The music I’d like performed 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.

Tom Obrien
Tom Obrien

A seasoned gaming analyst and content strategist specializing in UK betting markets and casino reviews.