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?
“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.”