John Simm's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Unexplained Aversions
The first tune I was captivated by
My most primal recollection is walking into a room at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The very first 45 I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My teacher 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 pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my father mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The tune I do at karaoke
I frankly actively avoid public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The track I oddly recite each line to
I just realised that I can recall virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The best song to put on at a party
It hinges on what stage of the evening you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d move on to Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.
The song I can never bear
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best track to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that changed my life
When I was 12 and just learning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock music. As soon as he dropped the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.
The track that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The song that makes me cry
Most music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the melody and sheer beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going consistently.
The track I’d like played at my memorial service
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
