John Simm's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Aversions
The initial song I became enamored with
My earliest recollection is stepping into a space at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The inaugural single I purchased
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to pick a new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my father pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The song I perform at karaoke
I honestly do not enjoy public singing and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I strangely recite every lyric to
I not long ago realised 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 best tune to play at a party
It depends on what stage of the party you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d work through Prince, 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 Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.
The track I can no longer listen to
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best track to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and starting to play the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. The moment he dropped the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The song that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The song that makes me cry
All music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the melody and sheer beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going every time.
The music I’d like played at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
