John Simm's Candid Playlist: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The first song I fell in love with
My earliest recollection is stepping into a room at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sound effects, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The very first 45 I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to choose a new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, 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 topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my father mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The song I sing at karaoke
I honestly cannot stand karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The piece I inexplicably remember every lyric to
I just 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 tune to blast at a gathering
It hinges on which phase of the evening you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d work through the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.
The song I can never hear
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal track to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and just learning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, 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 dropped the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The tune that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The song that makes me cry
All music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the tune and sheer beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord without fail.
The track I’d like played at my final send-off
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
