John Simm's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes
The initial track I became enamored with
My most primal recollection is stepping into a room at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sound effects, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The very first record I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a new record to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my dad noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The song I sing at sing-along
I honestly actively avoid public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The piece I oddly know every lyric to
I recently discovered that I have memorized pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The ideal tune to blast at a gathering
It hinges on what stage of the evening 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 move on to the Artist, the Rolling 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 song I can never bear
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ultimate track to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The record that transformed me
When I was 12 and beginning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. As soon as he dropped the record on the turntable, I was captivated.
The song that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The track that makes me cry
Most music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the tune and utter brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard consistently.
The song I’d like played at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.