John Simm's Honest Playlist: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Aversions
The first tune I was captivated by
My most primal recollection is walking into a room at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sound effects, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The inaugural single I bought
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The song I sing at sing-along
I candidly cannot stand public singing and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I inexplicably know every lyric to
I not long ago became aware that I have memorized almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The ideal tune to blast at a gathering
It depends on what stage of the party you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d work through Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.
The song I can no longer listen to
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ideal track to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and starting to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock music. Instantly after he dropped the vinyl on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The tune that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The song that gets me emotional
Virtually any music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the tune and pure beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord consistently.
The track I’d like performed at my funeral
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
