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

The initial tune I fell in love with
My first recollection is walking into a space at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The inaugural single I acquired
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to select a new record to play at the mini disco 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 savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my dad pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.

The track I do at karaoke
I honestly cannot stand public singing and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The song I strangely know every lyric to
I just realised that I have memorized virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The ideal song to play at a party
It depends on which phase 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 Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.

The number I can never bear
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The record that changed my life
When I was 12 and just learning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. The moment he placed the vinyl on the record player, I was captivated.

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

The song that gets me emotional
All music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the melody and pure perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard every time.

The song I’d like played at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.

Lisa Anthony
Lisa Anthony

A seasoned gaming analyst with over a decade of experience in casino industry trends and slot machine mechanics.