John Simm's Candid Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes
The first song I was captivated by
My earliest memory is walking into a room at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The inaugural record I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a new record to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my dad pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.
The song I do at karaoke
I honestly actively avoid karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The track I inexplicably recite all the words to
I not long ago discovered that I know virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The best song to put on at a gathering
It hinges on which phase of the party you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d work through the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The number I can not bear
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ultimate song to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The record that transformed me
When I was 12 and beginning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. Instantly after he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.
The track that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The piece that brings me to tears
All music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the tune and pure brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going consistently.
The song I’d like performed at my memorial service
Elvis. 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.
