John Simm's Honest Playlist: From Early Loves to Peculiar Aversions
The earliest song I became enamored with
My most primal memory is stepping into a space at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The inaugural 45 I purchased
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to pick a brand new record to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The tune I sing at sing-along
I honestly actively avoid karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I strangely remember each line to
I just realised that I have memorized pretty much 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 put on at a party
It depends on the point of the party you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.
The number I can never bear
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ideal track to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The record that transformed me
When I was twelve and beginning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he placed the record on the record player, I was captivated.
The tune that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The track that gets me emotional
Most music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and sheer beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord consistently.
The track I’d like to be played at my funeral
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
