John Simm's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes
The initial track I fell in love with
My first recollection is stepping into a room at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The very first record I purchased
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to choose a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.
The song I do at karaoke
I honestly cannot stand public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I inexplicably know all the words to
I just discovered that I know pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The ideal tune to play at a soirée
It relies on which phase of the evening you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.
The number I can no longer listen to
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best piece to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that changed my life
When I was 12 and starting to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. The moment he dropped the record on the record player, I was hooked.
The song that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The song that makes me cry
Virtually any music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and sheer brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord without fail.
The music I’d like performed at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
