John Simm's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Dislikes
The earliest song I became enamored with
My most primal memory is walking into a room at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The first record I acquired
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to choose a new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The song I sing at karaoke
I honestly cannot stand public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I inexplicably know each line to
I just discovered that I have memorized almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The best tune to play at a party
It depends on what stage of the evening you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.
The track I can no longer listen to
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best song to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that transformed me
When I was 12 and just learning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. The moment he dropped the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.
The tune that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The track that gets me emotional
Virtually any music leaves me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the tune and pure perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going without fail.
The track I’d like played 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.