John Simm's Candid Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Unexplained Aversions
The earliest song I became enamored with
My most primal memory is entering a room at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The very first 45 I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I picked out 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 Colne. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my father mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.
The song I do at sing-along
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 Frank Sinatra.
The track I inexplicably recite all the words to
I not long ago discovered that I have memorized pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The perfect song to play at a party
It hinges on the point of the evening you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d work through Prince, the Rolling Stones and 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 massive track.
The number I can no longer hear
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ultimate piece to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that changed my life
When I was twelve and beginning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. The moment he put the vinyl on the record player, I was captivated.
The track that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The song that gets me emotional
All music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the tune and sheer beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going consistently.
The track I’d like to be played 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.
