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

The earliest tune I became enamored with
My earliest memory is walking into a space at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The very first 45 I bought
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to choose a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my dad noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I do at karaoke
I honestly actively avoid karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I oddly recite every lyric to
I recently became aware that I have memorized virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The ideal song to put on at a party
It depends on what stage 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 night wears on, I’d work through the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.

The number I can not hear
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The LP that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and beginning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he put the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.

The tune that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.

The piece that gets me emotional
Virtually any music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the melody and pure perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going every time.

The song I’d like to be played at my memorial service
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.

Charles Marshall
Charles Marshall

A seasoned sports analyst with over a decade of experience in betting markets, specializing in Canadian sports and statistical modeling.