John Simm's Honest Playlist: From Early Loves to Peculiar Dislikes
The initial track I fell in love with
My most primal memory is stepping into a space at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The inaugural record I bought
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my father pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.
The track I sing at karaoke
I candidly do not enjoy public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The piece I inexplicably recite all the words to
I just realised that I can recall almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The best track to put on at a gathering
It hinges on the point of the event you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d transition into Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.
The track I can not listen to
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best track to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and beginning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock music. As soon as he placed the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.
The track that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The track that gets me emotional
All music makes me moved. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the harmony and utter beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard every time.
The music I’d like performed at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
