John Simm's Candid Playlist: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The first song I was captivated by
My first memory is walking into a room at preschool 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 arrived at the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The inaugural record I acquired
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I sing at karaoke
I frankly do not enjoy public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The track I strangely recite each line to
I not long ago discovered that I have memorized pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect song to blast at a soirée
It hinges on the point of the event you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d move on to Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.
The number I can no longer bear
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal piece to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The record that changed my life
When I was twelve and starting to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock music. Instantly after he put the vinyl on the record player, 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 gets me emotional
Most music makes me moved. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the tune and pure brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going every time.
The track I’d like performed at my funeral
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
