John Simm's Candid Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The initial track I fell in love with
My earliest memory is walking into a space at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The inaugural 45 I purchased
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to pick a 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 Darts. The first record I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.
The song I sing at karaoke
I frankly do not enjoy public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I strangely remember each line to
I just discovered that I have memorized virtually the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal track to blast at a soirée
It hinges on what stage of the evening you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d transition into Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.
The song I can not bear
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate piece to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The record that changed my life
When I was twelve and just learning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he dropped the record on the turntable, I was captivated.
The song that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The song that makes me cry
Most music leaves 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 melody and sheer perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going consistently.
The song I’d like played at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
