John Simm's Honest Playlist: From Early Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes
The first song I became enamored with
My earliest memory is entering a room at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The very first record I bought
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my father mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I sing at sing-along
I frankly actively avoid karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I strangely remember every lyric to
I recently discovered that I have memorized virtually 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 put on at a soirée
It depends on what stage of the party you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d work through the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The track I can no longer bear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best piece to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that changed my life
When I was twelve and just learning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock music. The moment he put the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The song that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The track that brings me to tears
Most music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and utter beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going every time.
The track I’d like to be played at my funeral
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
