John Simm's Candid Playlist: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The earliest tune I fell in love with
My first memory is walking into a room at nursery school 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 remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The inaugural 45 I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I chose 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 record shop in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.
The tune I perform at sing-along
I candidly actively avoid public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I oddly remember each line to
I just discovered that I have memorized almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal tune to play at a party
It relies on what stage of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d work through Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.
The song I can never hear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ultimate piece to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that transformed me
When I was 12 and starting to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock music. As soon as he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The song that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The piece that gets me emotional
All music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and sheer perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard without fail.
The music I’d like played at my final send-off
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.