John Simm's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Aversions
The earliest song I became enamored with
My most primal recollection is walking into a space at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The inaugural record I purchased
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to choose a new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.
The song I sing at sing-along
I candidly actively avoid karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The piece I oddly recite each line to
I recently became aware that I can recall almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The best track to play at a party
It depends on what stage of the party you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d work through the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.
The track I can no longer hear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best song to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that changed my life
When I was twelve and starting to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. The moment he put the record on the turntable, I was captivated.
The song that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The song that gets me emotional
All music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the harmony and utter beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard consistently.
The music I’d like to be played at my funeral
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
