John Simm's Honest Playlist: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The initial tune I fell in love with
My most primal memory is entering a room at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The inaugural record I acquired
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to choose a brand new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The tune I do at karaoke
I honestly do not enjoy karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I inexplicably recite every lyric to
I just 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 perfect track to put on at a gathering
It relies on what stage of the party you are at. At the start it would 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 Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The track I can not bear
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best song to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and beginning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock music. Instantly after he put the record on the record player, I was captivated.
The song that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The track that brings me to tears
Virtually any music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and pure perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going every time.
The song I’d like to be played at my funeral
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.
