John Simm's Candid Playlist: From Early Loves to Peculiar Dislikes
The first song I became enamored with
My earliest recollection is entering a room at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The first record I purchased
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought 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 selected it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.
The track I do at sing-along
I honestly do not enjoy karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I inexplicably recite each line to
I recently became aware that I know pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The ideal song to blast at a gathering
It depends on what stage of the party you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d move on to Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.
The song I can not hear
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best song to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that changed my life
When I was twelve and just learning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. The moment he put the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The track that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The song that gets me emotional
All music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and sheer beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard every time.
The music I’d like played at my funeral
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.
