So I’m catching up on my Dirty Sexy Money last night, and I almost did a spit-take when Kenny G (pictured) cameo’d to play a funeral. When I recovered, I phoned my friend Sheila to ask (a) if "the song(s) you want played at your funeral" is too morbid a subject to blog about (she said no, then launched into that "Tell Laura I Love Her" scene from High Fidelity) and (b) what her song(s) would be. She said when she was a rebellious teen, she wanted Elvis Costello’s "God’s Comic", but now that she’s mature, she’s leaning toward Duran Duran’s "Ordinary World." ("Everybody knows I love them, and of their songs, I feel it’s the most appropriate.")
I know one of my songs will be Sam Cooke’s "You Send Me." In 2005, when I wrote its entry for EW’s list of the 25 greatest love songs, I said, "If heaven exists, this song is playing there." So it’s both a sweet inside joke that no one will get, but it makes me smile and a subtle tribute to that side of my personality that I like to refer to as "excitable."
What’s on your playlist?
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“THE END” by The Doors
Totally cliche, but “In My Life” by the Beatles, which will be played at the start of the memorial service – which won’t be a “service” per se, but a celebration, and after the song’s over the party will start. Whoever my favorite Chicagoland Beatles tribute band is at the time will be the house band.
Great question Mandi… Not morbid at all. I can’t decide between something mellow and meaningful or a rock song that people always associate with me. All I know that it needs to played on the church organ, “Big Chill” style.
“Someone Great” by LCD Soundsystem
When they wheel my casket out, I want them to play the theme song to The Jeffersons – “we’re movin’ on up..to a de-luxe apartment in the sky!”
I’ve been thinking about this, actually. Both of my grandfathers died within months of each other, & I don’t think the song played at one of them was what he would have wanted. These are some possibilities I’ve been considering: “Hallelujah” by Jeff Buckley, “Angel” by Sarah McLachlan, “My Immortal” by Evanescence, “This Time Tomorrow” by the Kinks & maybe “Welcome to the Black Parade” by My Chemical Romance because I’m weird like that.
I think it’d have to be Warren Zevon’s “Keep Me in Your Heart” although “Ordinary World” is also a strong candidate.
This is a great topic for discussion, but at the end of it all, it doesn’t really matter what you want played at your funeral. You won’t know if it’s “Good Riddance” or “Dock of the Bay,” because the people who love you will do what they want to do. My grandfather wanted “Danny Boy” and “Edelweiss.” We ended up having a small, family-only ash dispersing kind of ceremony, and did it without any musical accompaniment. I think he’d approve, even if he didn’t get the music he wanted. You see what I mean? While it’s great to discuss, you’ll get the funeral you get, and you’ve got nothing to say about it, because you’re dead. Enjoy life and listen to the stuff you want to now!
“Has Anyone Ever Written Anything For You” by Stevie Nicks. Hands down. I Wish U Heaven by Prince, Sing your Life by Morrissey, and Forever by Catherine Feeny are all strong contenders too.
“The Birds Will Still Be Singing” by Elvis Costello.
I only want one: Stayin’ Alive by the Bee Gees
“Lifesize,” by A Fine Frenzy
Either Warren Zevon’s “Keep Me in Your Heart”, or Ben Folds Five’s “Magic”.
Traditionally I would like “Roll Me Away” by Bob Seger. For the wake, it most definitely be “Highway to Hell” by AC/DC. My true friends know the reasons why I want these songs and I have made my brother swear to play AC/DC. I think it will make people laugh.
Dawnie D, can I come to your funeral? You’ve got the right idea.
I’m definitely thinking in honor my love for Chicago sports teams, I want “The Superbowl Shuffle” and “Go Cubs Go.”
“Long and Winding Road” by the Beatles – I have known I wanted this since forever. Having undergone surgery and treatment for cancer twice in this past year, this song brings everything I feel to the front.
Stairway to Heaven or Highway to Hell…haven’t decided which way I’m headed yet!
“God’s Comic” is an awesome choice. But mine would be “Perfect Day” by Lou Reed.
“God Only Knows” works for me…then again, I love “Love Actually,” and picked the idea up from that.
Indigo Girls “Ghost” works too.
“I’m Going Home” from The Rocky Horror Picture Show
“People Who Died” by Jim Carroll Band. The rockin’-est elegy ever written.
This has been a popular conversation between my friends and I. The best idea I’ve heard is my friend Anna’s plan to play “If You Don’t Know Me By Now” by Simply Red.
Simply perfect, if you ask me.
R.E.M.’s ” Find The River” and ” Electrolite”. They’re my favorite band. And Spirit Of The West’s ” Home For A Rest” at the wake, with plenty of drinkin’.
“In My Life” by The Beatles and “Spirit in the Sky” by Norman Greenbaum
“Don’t Fear the Reaper”. The original by Blue Oyster Cult.
A lot of people think that’s a song about suicide, but the writer has flatly stated that it’s about death in general. “Forty thousand men and women every day”. How it’s inevitable and you shouldn’t despair.
Plus it has an awesome guitar riff. My funeral will rock.
“Perfect Blue Sky” by Junkie XL and Robert Smith or “Rainbow Connection” by Kermit
This is uber cheesy… but I want and must have “Into the West” by Annie Lennox play at my funeral… the one from LOTR.
To Steph: My husband made “Don’t Fear The Reaper” his ringtone, the day after he was diagnosed with throat cancer. Sounds completly sick and wrong to a lot of people, but it was just his own unique attitude, and sense of humor, and I loved him for it. Sadly, he didn’t make it. I had “Don’t Fear THe Reaper” and Shaver’s “Live Forever” played at his funeral.
For my funeral, I would like the traditional Irish song, “The Parting Glass”, even though I’m not Irish. I find the sentiment beautiful.
I never thought I’d want a Rod Stewart vocal playing at my funeral, but his gorgeous and moving collaboration with Jeff Beck on “People Get Ready” always seemed appropriate to me.
And then Henry Mancini’s theme from “Peter Gunn.”
I’ve actually thought about this alot. I want Tears In Heaven, Over The Rainbow, What It Takes (Aerosmith), I Miss You (Blink 182), I Want Love (Elton John), Ashes (Embrace)… Basically I want a mix tape of all the songs that meant something to me thru my life. Songs that I want and songs that remind others of the good times that were had. Jealousy by Natalie Merchant. You Oughtta Know by Alanis. Stuff Like that. I want it to be a foot tapper.