John Simm's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes
The earliest tune I fell in love with
My first recollection is walking into a space at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The first single I bought
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to select a brand new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I perform at karaoke
I honestly actively avoid karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I inexplicably know every lyric to
I not long ago discovered that I know virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect track to blast at a gathering
It depends on the point of the evening you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to Prince, the Stones and David 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 massive track.
The song I can no longer listen to
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal song to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that changed my life
When I was 12 and just learning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock music. The moment he put the record on the record player, I was captivated.
The track that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The piece that makes me cry
Most music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the harmony and pure perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord without fail.
The track I’d like played at my memorial service
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.