John Simm's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Aversions
The initial track I was captivated by
My earliest recollection is stepping into a space at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The very first record I acquired
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to select a new record to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my dad mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.
The song I perform at sing-along
I frankly do not enjoy public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I oddly recite each line to
I recently became aware that I have memorized virtually 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 tune to play at a soirée
It depends on the point of the party you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d work through the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.
The song I can not hear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best piece to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and beginning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock music. Instantly after he put the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.
The tune that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The track that makes me cry
Most music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the melody and sheer perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard without fail.
The music I’d like to be played at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
