John Simm's Honest Playlist: From Early Loves to Unexplained Dislikes
The first song I became enamored with
My earliest memory is walking into a room at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The first record I bought
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to select a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I chose 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 Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.
The track I sing at karaoke
I honestly actively avoid karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I strangely remember every lyric to
I just became aware that I have memorized pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The perfect song to put on at a soirée
It relies on what stage of the event you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to 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 Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.
The song I can no longer bear
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ultimate track to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The record that transformed me
When I was 12 and starting to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. The moment he dropped the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The song that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The piece that gets me emotional
Virtually any music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the tune and sheer beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord without fail.
The track I’d like to be played at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
