John Simm's Honest Playlist: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The initial track I fell in love with
My most primal memory is entering a space at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The first single I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.
The song I perform at sing-along
I frankly cannot stand karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I oddly know each line to
I recently discovered that I can recall pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal track to put on at a gathering
It relies on which phase of the evening you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The song I can no longer bear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ideal piece to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The record that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and just learning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock music. The moment he dropped the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.
The tune that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The track that gets me emotional
Most music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and utter brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going without fail.
The track I’d like played at my funeral
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
