John Simm's Candid Playlist: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Aversions
The initial track I fell in love with
My most primal recollection is stepping into a space at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The first 45 I acquired
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my dad pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The song I perform at karaoke
I honestly do not enjoy karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The piece I inexplicably recite every lyric to
I recently discovered that I know almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The best track to play at a soirée
It depends on the point of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d move on to Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The song I can no longer hear
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate song to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that changed my life
When I was twelve and starting to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he dropped the record on the turntable, I was captivated.
The track that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The song that makes me cry
Most music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the harmony and utter beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard without fail.
The music I’d like 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.
