John Simm's Honest Playlist: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Aversions
The first tune I fell in love with
My earliest recollection is entering a room at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The very first 45 I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to select a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's 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 sing at sing-along
I frankly do not enjoy karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The piece I inexplicably remember every lyric to
I not long ago became aware that I can recall pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The best song to blast at a gathering
It hinges on what stage of the evening you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d move on to Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.
The song I can not bear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best song to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that transformed me
When I was 12 and starting to play the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was obsessed with The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock music. Instantly after he placed the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The track that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The song that brings me to tears
All music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the melody and utter brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard without fail.
The song I’d like performed 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.
