John Simm's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Aversions
The initial tune I was captivated by
My most primal memory is walking into a space at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The first 45 I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to select a new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher 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 record shop in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my dad noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The tune I sing at sing-along
I frankly actively avoid public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I oddly recite every lyric to
I recently 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 the legendary songwriter.
The best track to blast at a soirée
It depends on which phase of the evening you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d move on to the Artist, the Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.
The song I can no longer listen to
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best song to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and starting to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. The moment he put the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.
The track that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The track that makes me cry
All music leaves me moved. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the melody and sheer perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard consistently.
The track I’d like performed at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
