John Simm's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Unexplained Aversions
The initial track I became enamored with
My most primal recollection is entering a room at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sound effects, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The first 45 I purchased
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.
The song I perform at sing-along
I honestly actively avoid public singing and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I oddly remember each line to
I recently realised that I know virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect track to play at a gathering
It hinges on what stage of the evening you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d work through Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The number I can never bear
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate song to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The record that changed my life
When I was twelve and starting to play the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock music. The moment he put the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The tune that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The track that gets me emotional
All music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the tune and pure beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard consistently.
The song I’d like performed at my final send-off
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
