John Simm's Revealing Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Aversions
The earliest song I fell in love with
My earliest recollection is stepping into a room at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The very first 45 I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to choose a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.
The song I perform at karaoke
I honestly cannot stand karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I oddly know all the words to
I not long ago realised that I know pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The best song to blast at a gathering
It depends on which phase of the evening you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d move on to Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The track I can never listen to
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate song to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The record that changed my life
When I was 12 and beginning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. As soon as he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was captivated.
The song that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The track that brings me to tears
Virtually any music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the harmony and pure brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard without fail.
The track I’d like to be played at my memorial service
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
