John Simm's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes
The initial tune I became enamored with
My first memory is entering a space at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The inaugural 45 I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a new record to play at the weekly dance party 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 record I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.
The song I sing at karaoke
I candidly actively avoid public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I strangely remember all the words to
I just discovered that I know pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The best song to blast at a party
It hinges on which phase of the party you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d transition into the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.
The song I can never listen to
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ideal piece to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that changed my life
When I was 12 and beginning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was obsessed with The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock music. The moment he dropped the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The song that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The track that brings me to tears
Most music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and pure brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord without fail.
The music I’d like to be played at my funeral
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
