John Simm's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Aversions
The initial tune I became enamored with
My earliest recollection is entering a room at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The very first record I acquired
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a brand new record to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my dad pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I do at sing-along
I candidly do not enjoy public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I oddly remember every lyric to
I not long ago discovered that I know almost 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 tune to blast at a soirée
It hinges on what stage of the evening you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.
The song I can no longer listen to
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best piece to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that changed my life
When I was twelve and just learning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock music. As soon as he dropped the record on the record player, I was captivated.
The song that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The track that gets me emotional
All music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the harmony and sheer perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord every time.
The music I’d like played at my memorial service
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
