John Simm's Honest Playlist: From Early Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes
The initial tune I fell in love with
My most primal recollection is entering a room at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sound effects, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The first single I acquired
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to select a brand new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I opted for 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 mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The tune I perform at karaoke
I honestly do not enjoy public singing and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I oddly know all the words to
I recently discovered that I have memorized pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The ideal track to blast at a party
It relies on what stage of the party you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d transition into the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.
The song I can no longer hear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best piece to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that transformed me
When I was twelve and beginning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock music. As soon as he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.
The tune that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The piece that makes me cry
Most music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the melody and sheer brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going without fail.
The song I’d like played at my memorial service
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.
