John Simm's Honest Playlist: From Early Favorites to Unexplained Aversions
The earliest song I became enamored with
My earliest recollection is entering a space at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The first record I acquired
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a brand new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my dad pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The tune I do at karaoke
I candidly cannot stand public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I oddly remember every lyric to
I not long ago discovered that I know almost every word 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 play at a party
It hinges on the point of the evening you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d transition into Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.
The track I can not listen to
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal song to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that transformed me
When I was 12 and starting to study the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. As soon as he dropped the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.
The track that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The song that brings me to tears
Most music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and utter brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going without fail.
The music I’d like to be played at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.