John Simm's Candid Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Unexplained Dislikes
The first tune I fell in love with
My most primal recollection is entering a room at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The very first single I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to pick a new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My teacher 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 pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my dad mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The tune I perform at sing-along
I honestly cannot stand public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The track I inexplicably know all the words to
I not long ago discovered that I know pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The perfect track to put on at a party
It relies on which phase of the event you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d work through Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The number I can not hear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ideal song to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and just learning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, 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. Instantly after he put the record on the record player, I was hooked.
The tune that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The piece that gets me emotional
Virtually any music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the tune and pure brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord consistently.
The song I’d like to be played at my memorial service
Elvis. 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.
