John Simm's Candid Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes

The initial song I fell in love with
My earliest recollection is walking into a room at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sound effects, and Lennon bellowing: ā€œFull speed ahead!ā€ When it reached the hook, I remember thinking: ā€œThis must be music!ā€

The very first 45 I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a brand new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. 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 allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my dad mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I perform at karaoke
I frankly actively avoid karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The piece I oddly remember every lyric to
I just became aware that I can recall virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The ideal track to put on at a party
It relies on the point of the event you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d work through the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.

The number I can never hear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ideal piece to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The record that changed my life
When I was 12 and beginning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he placed the record on the turntable, I was captivated.

The track that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.

The piece that brings me to tears
Most music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the harmony and utter beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord 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.

Aaron Calderon
Aaron Calderon

A political analyst and journalist based in Amsterdam, specializing in Dutch governance and European affairs.

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