John Simm's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes
The initial track I became enamored with
My most primal memory is entering a room at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The inaugural record 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 Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my dad mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.
The track I perform at sing-along
I candidly actively avoid public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The track I strangely remember all the words to
I not long ago became aware that I can recall virtually the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The best track to blast at a gathering
It hinges on what stage of the event you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d work through Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.
The track I can never listen to
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ultimate track to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and starting to play the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. The moment he dropped the vinyl on the record player, I was captivated.
The song that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The song that makes me cry
Virtually any music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and sheer beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard every time.
The track 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.
