John Simm's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Unexplained Dislikes
The first song I became enamored with
My most primal recollection is stepping into a room at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The first 45 I bought
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to select a new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.
The tune I perform at sing-along
I candidly actively avoid public singing and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I strangely know all the words to
I just discovered that I have memorized almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The ideal tune to play at a gathering
It hinges on the point of the party you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d move on to the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.
The song I can not hear
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best song to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that transformed me
When I was twelve and beginning to study 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, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he dropped the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.
The track that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The song that gets me emotional
Most music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the melody and sheer beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going consistently.
The music I’d like performed at my final send-off
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
