John Simm's Candid Playlist: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The initial tune I fell in love with
My earliest recollection is walking into a space at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The inaugural 45 I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won 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 a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I sing at sing-along
I honestly actively avoid public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The piece I inexplicably recite every lyric to
I just realised that I can recall pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect tune to put on at a party
It depends on the point of the party you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d transition into Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.
The song I can never bear
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate song to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and starting to play the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock music. Instantly after he dropped the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The tune that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The song that makes me cry
All music makes me touched. 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 pure perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard without fail.
The music I’d like performed at my final send-off
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.