John Simm's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Unexplained Dislikes
The first tune I fell in love with
My first memory is walking into a room at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The very first record I bought
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to pick 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 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 record shop in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my father mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I do at karaoke
I honestly cannot stand public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The track I oddly remember all the words to
I just discovered that I can recall almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The best track to blast at a party
It relies on which phase of the party you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.
The song I can never hear
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal piece to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The record that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and just learning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, 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 music. Instantly after he placed the record on the turntable, I was captivated.
The song that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The piece that brings me to tears
Most music leaves me moved. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the tune and pure brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord without fail.
The song I’d like played at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
