John Simm's Honest Playlist: From Early Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes
The first song I was captivated by
My earliest recollection is stepping into a room at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The inaugural 45 I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own allowance 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 track I do at sing-along
I honestly actively avoid public singing and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I strangely know each line to
I not long ago discovered that I know almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The best track to blast at a party
It relies on which phase of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would 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 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 no longer bear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ultimate piece to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that transformed me
When I was twelve and starting to play the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock music. Instantly after he put the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.
The song that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The song that brings me to tears
Most music makes me moved. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the harmony and sheer beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going consistently.
The track I’d like performed at my funeral
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.
