John Simm's Honest Playlist: From Early Loves to Unexplained Aversions
The first track I fell in love with
My most primal memory is stepping into a space at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The inaugural 45 I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to choose a 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 record I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my father pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The tune I do at karaoke
I honestly cannot stand public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The piece I oddly recite every lyric to
I recently discovered that I know virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The best tune to blast at a soirée
It hinges on which phase of the evening you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d move on to the Artist, the Rolling 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 massive track.
The track I can no longer hear
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal track to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that changed my life
When I was 12 and just learning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. The moment he dropped the vinyl on the turntable, I was captivated.
The track that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The piece that brings me to tears
Most music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the melody and sheer beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord every time.
The track I’d like to be played at my final send-off
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
