John Simm's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Aversions
The first song I fell in love with
My first recollection is stepping into a room at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the audio textures, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The first record I purchased
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to pick a brand new vinyl 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 Darts. The first record I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my father mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The song I sing at sing-along
I candidly do not enjoy public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The piece I oddly know each line to
I not long ago realised that I know virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The best tune to play at a soirée
It relies on which phase of the party you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d work through Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.
The number I can no longer hear
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best track to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The record that changed my life
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, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock music. As soon as he placed the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The song that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The song that brings me to tears
Virtually any music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the harmony and utter brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going every time.
The track I’d like performed at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
