John Simm's Candid Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Dislikes
The initial track I was captivated by
My earliest memory is walking into a room at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The first 45 I purchased
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to choose a new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.
The track I do at sing-along
I candidly do not enjoy karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The piece I strangely remember every lyric to
I just realised that I have memorized almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The ideal track to blast at a party
It hinges on what stage of the party you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d work through Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.
The song I can never hear
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate track to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The record that transformed me
When I was twelve and just learning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. The moment he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was captivated.
The song that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The track that brings me to tears
Most music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and sheer perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord consistently.
The song 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.
