John Simm's Candid Playlist: From Early Loves to Peculiar Dislikes
The first tune I was captivated by
My first recollection is entering a space at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The first record I purchased
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 the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my father mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.
The track I sing at sing-along
I frankly cannot stand karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I inexplicably recite every lyric to
I just discovered that I have memorized virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The best tune to blast at a gathering
It hinges on what stage of the party you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d work through Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.
The number I can no longer bear
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best track to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that transformed me
When I was 12 and beginning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. As soon as he placed the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.
The track that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The piece that brings me to tears
Most music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the melody and pure perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord consistently.
The song I’d like performed at my memorial service
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
