John Simm's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes
The initial tune I fell in love with
My most primal memory is entering a room at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The inaugural single I bought
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to choose a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, 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 Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.
The song I do at karaoke
I candidly actively avoid karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I oddly recite all the words to
I just discovered that I know pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The best song to play at a gathering
It relies on which phase of the evening you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d work through the Artist, 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 not listen to
I for some reason cannot stand 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 just learning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock music. As soon as he put the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The tune that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The song that brings me to tears
Most music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the melody and utter beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard consistently.
The music I’d like to be played at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.