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

The initial song I became enamored with
My first memory is entering a room at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sound effects, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The inaugural record I acquired
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to choose a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The track I perform at sing-along
I honestly do not enjoy public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The song I inexplicably know every lyric to
I not long ago realised that I can recall virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The best song to put on at a party
It relies on what stage of the evening you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d transition into the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, 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 track I can not listen to
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ideal track to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The album that transformed me
When I was 12 and beginning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. As soon as he dropped the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.

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

The piece that makes me cry
Virtually any music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and utter beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going consistently.

The song I’d like performed at my funeral
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.

Darren Welch
Darren Welch

A seasoned gaming consultant with over a decade of experience in the industry, specializing in strategy development and customer support.