John Simm's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes
The earliest track I fell in love with
My earliest recollection is entering a space at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The first 45 I bought
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The song I sing at sing-along
I candidly do not enjoy public singing and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I inexplicably know each line to
I not long ago realised that I know almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The best tune to put on at a soirée
It hinges on the point of the party you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d work through the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.
The number I can never bear
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate track to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The record that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and beginning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was obsessed with The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. As soon as he dropped the record on the turntable, I was captivated.
The song that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The song that makes me cry
Most music makes me moved. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the tune and utter beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord every time.
The music I’d like played at my funeral
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.
