John Simm's Honest Playlist: From Early Loves to Unexplained Dislikes
The first track I fell in love with
My most primal recollection is walking into a space at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the audio textures, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The inaugural record I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to select a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I do at sing-along
I honestly do not enjoy karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The track I oddly know every lyric to
I just realised that I know almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The best song to play at a gathering
It hinges on what stage of the party you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d transition into Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.
The song I can never hear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal piece to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The record that transformed me
When I was twelve and just learning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock music. As soon as he dropped the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The song that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The track that makes me cry
All music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the melody and pure perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord every time.
The track I’d like played at my final send-off
The King. 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.
