John Simm's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Aversions
The initial song I fell in love with
My most primal recollection is walking into a space at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The first 45 I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own savings 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 dad noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I do at sing-along
I candidly cannot stand public singing and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I inexplicably 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 perfect tune to play at a party
It relies on what stage of the event you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into Prince, the 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 massive track.
The song I can no longer hear
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal track to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that transformed me
When I was twelve and starting to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. As soon as he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.
The tune that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The song that brings me to tears
Virtually any music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the harmony and utter perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going consistently.
The music I’d like played 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.
