John Simm's Honest Playlist: From Early Loves to Peculiar Aversions
The first tune I fell in love with
My most primal memory is walking into a space at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the audio textures, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The very first record I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to select a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my father pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.
The tune I perform at sing-along
I frankly cannot stand karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I inexplicably remember all the words to
I just discovered that I have memorized almost the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The perfect track to put on at a party
It relies on the point of the event 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 move on to Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.
The track I can not bear
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best piece to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that transformed me
When I was twelve and starting to play the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. The moment he dropped 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 The Genius.
The song that makes me cry
All music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the tune and utter beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going every time.
The track I’d like to be played at my funeral
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
