John Simm's Candid Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Aversions
The first song I became enamored with
My first recollection is walking into a space at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The very first single I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I sing at sing-along
I honestly do not enjoy karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I oddly remember each line to
I not long ago discovered that I know almost 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 perfect song to blast at a gathering
It depends on what stage of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d work through Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.
The song I can no longer listen to
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ultimate piece to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that changed my life
When I was 12 and starting to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock music. As soon as he dropped the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The song that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The song that gets me emotional
All music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the tune and pure perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord consistently.
The song I’d like performed at my final send-off
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
