John Simm's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The first track I was captivated by
My earliest recollection is walking into a room at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The very first single I acquired
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. 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 Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.
The tune I do at sing-along
I frankly do not enjoy public singing and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I inexplicably remember all the words to
I not long ago discovered that I can recall pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal song to put on at a soirée
It hinges on which phase of the event you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d work through the Artist, the 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 undeniable hit.
The number I can never listen to
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best piece to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that changed my life
When I was twelve and just learning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. Instantly after he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was captivated.
The track that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The track that makes me cry
All music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the harmony and utter beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard every time.
The track I’d like played at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
