John Simm's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Unexplained Aversions
The earliest tune I fell in love with
My first memory is walking into a room at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The first single I acquired
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to pick a brand new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own savings 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 a former member of the Beatles.
The track I perform at sing-along
I frankly do not enjoy public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I strangely know all the words to
I recently became aware that I can recall almost the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal tune to put on at a party
It depends on what stage of the party you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d transition into 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 absolute banger.
The number I can not bear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best piece to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that transformed me
When I was twelve and beginning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock music. Instantly after he dropped the record on the turntable, I was hooked.
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
All music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and utter beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard without fail.
The track I’d like played at my memorial service
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
