John Simm's Candid Playlist: From Early Favorites to Unexplained Aversions
The initial tune I fell in love with
My earliest memory is entering a space at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The very first record I purchased
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to pick a new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my dad mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.
The track I sing at karaoke
I frankly actively avoid karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The track I strangely know each line to
I recently discovered that I know pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal track to blast at a soirée
It relies on what stage of the party you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d work through Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.
The number I can no longer hear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal piece to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The record that transformed me
When I was twelve and beginning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he placed the record on the record player, I was captivated.
The song that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The piece that brings me to tears
All music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the melody and pure perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord without fail.
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.
