John Simm's Honest Playlist: From Early Loves to Unexplained Aversions
The first tune I became enamored with
My first recollection is entering a space at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The first 45 I bought
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to select a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.
The track I do at karaoke
I frankly do not enjoy public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I strangely remember each line to
I not long ago realised that I know pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal track to blast at a soirée
It depends on what stage of the party you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d transition into Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.
The number I can not bear
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best piece to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that transformed me
When I was 12 and starting to study the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. The moment he dropped the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The song that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The track that gets me emotional
Virtually any music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the harmony and utter perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard every time.
The song I’d like played at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
