If you want to know what’s happening in the real world, nothing beats the internet. Did you know that a recent poll in Britain revealed that Frank Sinatra’s My Way still is the most popular song played at funeral services? I know we have all sorts of charts, but that one was still new to me. But what really shook me in the article was that ACDC’s Highway to Hell has stormed into the funereal charts along with Queen’s Another One Bites The Dust. I know, people do make strange decisions in their lives and it will not get any better when arranging your own funeral. You don’t want to make a mess of that one. But what to choose? ACDC?? Do you really want to do that to those poor bereaved people standing around your grave? I don’t think so. On the other hand The Lord Is My Shepherd never did much for me, Ave Maria is just too dull and I can’t stand Amazing Grace. What then? Maybe Van Morrison or Neil Young (‘the needle and the damage done..?), but I can’t think of an appropriate song. Clapton’s Tears in Heaven which he wrote for his little boy is too sad, even for a funeral. But When I Die is hard to beat, especially in the original version of Laura Nyro. That should definitely be the opener. And Dylan’s ‘Death is not the End’ may cheer up the party just that tiny little bit. Knocking on Heaven’s Door could also fit in nicely. Yes, now we’re getting somewhere…but I still need one great killer song for the dramatic moment supreme. I can suddenly see it..just too easy. No Highway to Hell, no Freddy Mercury…this has to be the Monty Python choir singing Always look at the bright side of life (death). Actually quite amazing that Monty Python did not even get a mention in that internet top 10. But it’s all there, look at it:
You come from nothing..you go to nothing..so what do you lose ….NOTHING’.
how about your favourite funeral songs? Any ideas?
Tags: community radio, domino, domino music, music, pop, rock
April 25, 2010 at 3:39 am |
how about Warren Zevon’s “I’ll sleep when I’m dead’??
May 2, 2010 at 10:33 pm |
Yes, great song and he had something with the subject, like Life’ll kill ya. And when doctors told him that he was sick and had only a few months to live, he hurried to the studio to make one last album The Wind and on it he did a great cover of Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door. He died before the album was released.
April 25, 2010 at 3:42 am |
Just read that Malcolm McLaren, the father of punk and manager of the Sex Pistols was laid to rest with Syd Vicious’ infamous version of My Way. On his coffin was painted: Too Fast to Live, Too Young To Die’ . Rebellious and defiant to the end
April 30, 2010 at 11:34 am |
How about the most lyric funeral song ever made: Brain Wilsons ‘ Till I die’, or Roy Woods ‘Music to commit suicide by’…
April 30, 2010 at 11:45 am |
don’t know that Roy Wood song, wasn’t a huge hit probably, but sounds promising. will try to find it somewhere. And yes, Brian Wilson is a good one. thanks
May 2, 2010 at 11:50 am |
Hi Hans. I’ve been giving this some thought lately as well and for my send-off I came up with Van’s Streets of Arklow, because of its beautiful mystical feel and Tom Waits’ Come on Up to the House, because of all the lyrics including the line “this world is not my home, I’m just passing through” (plus I’m a huge Tom fan). I’d probably also like something by the Grateful Dead, just to give the musically literate mourners a chuckle.
Don’t know if you’ve read Nick Hornby but he also named a Van song for this purpose in his terrific book “31 Songs” – the version of Caravan from Its Too Late to Stop Now. (The fact that its the track with the band intros on it failed to dent his determination!)
May 2, 2010 at 10:07 pm |
Some great ideas! I am not sure if I know Streets of Arklow, but Van is the man for the mystical touch. And Tom Waits, surely. Another perfect Waits song would be (..we’re all gonna be) Dirt in the Ground from Bone Machine. Yes, Nick Hornby is always great for original ideas. Just started reading his latest, Juliet, Naked.