John Simm's Revealing Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes
The earliest song I was captivated by
My first recollection is stepping into a room at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sound effects, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The very first record I acquired
When I was eight, I was victorious in 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 Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.
The song I sing at karaoke
I frankly actively avoid public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I oddly know every lyric to
I just discovered that I have memorized almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The best tune to blast at a party
It relies on the point of the evening you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d move on to the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.
The track I can not listen to
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best song to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The record that changed my life
When I was 12 and starting to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The track that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The song that brings me to tears
Most music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the melody and pure beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going every time.
The track I’d like to be played at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
