John Simm's Honest Playlist: From Early Loves to Unexplained Aversions
The initial song I became enamored with
My earliest recollection is stepping into a space at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The first single I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I opted for 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 number one at the time, and I selected it when my dad pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The tune I perform at karaoke
I candidly actively avoid karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I oddly recite every lyric 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 put on at a soirée
It relies on the point of the party you are at. Early doors it would probably 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 hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.
The track I can no longer listen to
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ultimate track to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that transformed me
When I was 12 and starting to play the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. The moment he dropped the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The tune that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The track that brings me to tears
Virtually any music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the melody and utter brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard without fail.
The track I’d like to be played at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
