John Simm's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Aversions
The initial tune I was captivated by
My earliest memory is walking into a room at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The inaugural record I bought
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 opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my dad pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.
The song I perform at sing-along
I honestly do not enjoy karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I oddly recite 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 the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The perfect song to blast at a party
It depends on the point of the party you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d move on to the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.
The number I can no longer bear
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best song to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and starting to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. The moment he dropped the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The song that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The track that gets me emotional
Virtually any music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the melody and utter perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard consistently.
The track I’d like to be played at my final send-off
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.
