John Simm's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The earliest tune I fell in love with
My first memory is entering a room at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The very first single I acquired
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to pick a new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by 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 No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my dad noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The tune I do at sing-along
I candidly actively avoid karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I inexplicably recite every lyric to
I recently realised that I can recall almost the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The best track to play at a gathering
It depends on the point of the party you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d transition into the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The number I can not bear
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best song to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that changed my life
When I was twelve and starting to study the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.
The song that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The song that makes me cry
Most music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the harmony and pure beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard consistently.
The track I’d like to be 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.
