Apologies to anyone recently going through a bereavement. Even the mention of death and funerals can tweak emotions.
I'm sure you've all thought about what you'd like played at your funeral. I know I have since I was a moody young kid. When I was 14/15 I would have wanted either Nirvana's 'Something in the Way' or Marilyn Manson's 'Man that you Fear'. How things have changed. Without sounding like I'm being patronizing to anyone still listening to that music but I'm just glad I'm long past that stage of my life.
But funerals don't have to be all morbid. Especially not mine. I'm approaching mine with an angle. How about Elton Johns 'I'm Still Standing'? Or Madness's 'One Step Beyond'?
Sinatra's 'That's Life' also deserves an honourable mention. Mind you I've promised everyone I know I've got to sing it at a kareoke before I die.
Here's your time to shine people, what are yours. Be truthful, creative, funny whatever. I'll still give you a hug and rub your little shiny faces.
I've given this a lot of thought. Why? I don't know.
I'd like to have, of course, my favorite song, "Mr. Tambourine Man" by Bob Dylan played.
Other songs I'd like to have played are "My Back Pages" by Dylan, "Instant Karma" by John Lennon, and the Unplugged version of "Helpless" by Neil Young.
Don't want a ceremony, but if there is going to be one I wish for the The Requiem Mass to be played. That pretty much runs the people I don't like off.
Originally posted by Turi Giuliano: ...it's your last impression you can make.
But you are not in charge of anything, so the outcome is not exactly your impression. I don't much care for funerals. I wish people would've cared for each other when they were alive, but unfortunately we are better at caring for people after they die.
Originally posted by afsaneh77: [quote]Originally posted by Turi Giuliano: [b]...it's your last impression you can make.
But you are not in charge of anything, so the outcome is not exactly your impression. I don't much care for funerals. I wish people would've cared for each other when they were alive, but unfortunately we are better at caring for people after they die. [/b][/quote]That's because we're guilty we never saw them as much as we should have done or we've bitched about them whilst they were alive.
Originally posted by Turi Giuliano: That's because we're guilty we never saw them as much as we should have done or we've bitched about them whilst they were alive.
That's my point. A funeral is not for the deceased, it is for the rest of people. So in general, I don't care for it, unless I care for those who have lost someone.
Eric Clapton's "Tears in Heaven", for sure. I also would want my daughter to sing "Amazing Grace". She sang it for a state competition last year and she was so lovely that it blew me away.
As for the actual funeral, I want TONS of flowers and lots of Kleenex being used, and everyone had better wear black.
Originally posted by Turi Giuliano: [quote]Originally posted by DonFerro55: [b] I've given this a lot of thought. Why? I don't know.
I assume most people have. Even though your dead it's your last impression you can make. To me that's important. [/b][/quote]I don't want a funeral. I want some public display though. I would prefer a Viking burial by having my body put on a boat and have a flaming arrow sent to the boat and watching it sink. With Tambourine Man playing that would be surreal. Perhaps to burn me and shoot my remains into the eye of a hurricaine would be best. I'd really like that.
Other songs to consider:
~Sad Eyed Lad of the Lowlands - Dylan ~One More Cup of Coffee - Dylan ~Forever Young - Dylan ~Ripple - The Grateful Dead ~Keep Me In Your Heart - Warren Zevon
and of course: Knocking on Heaven's Door - Dylan (or Warren Zevon)
Excitable Boy - Warren Zevon The Great Gig in The Sky - Pink Floyd Into the Mystic - Van Morrison Straight To Hell - The Clash Little Ol' Wine Drinker Me - Dean Martin King of the Road - Roger Miller
Hard thought. Mostly I I seem to be thinking of music that has a funereal feeling rather then the actual meaning.
Led Zeppelin - "In My Time of Dying" Black Label Society - "Just Killing Time" or "Rust" Neil Young - "When God Made Me" The Beatles - In My Life Nirvana or The Vaselines - "Jesus Doesn't Want Me For A Sunbeam" The Doors - "End of the Night" or "The End" Radiohead - How to Disappear Completely The Velvet Underground - "Venus in Furs" (I know it's far from funereal, but still I find it to be one of the most relaxing songs ever) Tangerine Dream - Confrontation ('Thief' end score)
2Pac - I Wonder If Heaven Got a Ghetto 2Pac - Life Goes On 2Pac - The Good Die Young 2Pac - Until the End of Time A.F.I. - ...But Home Is Nowhere Akon - Lonely Blink 182 - Adam's Song Boston - A Man I'll Never Be Breaking Benjamin - Forget It Bright Eyes - Easy/Lucky/Free Bright Eyes - First Day of my Life Eminem - Sing For the Moment Fall Out Boy - Grand Theft Autumn (Where is your Boy?) Giorgio Moroder - Tony Montana's Theme Green Day - Boulevard of Broken Dreams Howie Day - Collide John Lennon - Imagine John Lennon - Watching the Wheels The Killers - Everything Will Be Alright The Killers - Smile Like You Mean It Matchbook Romance - The Greatest Fall (of All Time) Nirvana - Something in the Way Relient K - Who I Am Hates Who I've Been Senses Fail - Rum Is For Drinking, Not For Burning (Acoustic) Simple Plan - Untitled Staind - Outside System of a Down - Lonely Day The Used - All That I've Got The Verve - Bittersweet Symphony Weezer - Island in the Sun Weezer - Only In Dreams
Hey you, don't watch that, Watch this! This is the heavy heavy monster sound, The nuttiest sound around. So if you've come in off the street, And you're beginning to feel the heat, Well listen, buster, You better start, to move your feet, To the rockiest, rock-steady beat, Of Madness.
One step beyond!
Mine would be "God Moving Over the Face of the Waters" by Moby.
"Unchained Melody" - The Righteous Brothers "Hurt" - Johnny Cash "With A Little Help From My Friends" - Joe Cocker "Drive" - The Cars "Spirit in the Sky" - Norman Greenbaum
If I was to choose soundtracks, I'd choose these: -Breaking of the Fellowship, Samwise the Brave, The Black Gate Opens or Forth Eorlingas by Howard Shore -The Birth of the Twins, Anakin vs Obi Wan or Star Wars End Title -The Godfather Part II End Title or The Immigrant
As for the others: -The Scientist by Coldplay -Beautiful Day by U2 -Just Like Heaven by The Cure or Boys Don't Cry If I wanted a really deppressing funeral, I'd go for "This year's love" by David Grey.
oddly enough, i've actually had discussions about this quite recently more a few times, & i've decided i would like "in my time of need" by ryan adams played - which is a country-tinged song by one of alt. country's (& music in general's) greatest artists. it's a somber, but quite beautiful, song about staying with someone through hard times & until death, & since i doubt anyone here really listens to ryan adams, i'm going to go ahead & post an excerpt:
cause it ain't like it was back in those days when everyone would offer up a hand these old bones are worn, i've grown tired some & i know my time is surely gonna come
lord, we married young & stayed where we came from & gave those children everything we had will you stay with me in my time of need though it seems we had such little time for us
will you say to me "a little rain's gonna come" when the sky can't offer none to me cause i will come for you when my days are through & i'll let your smile just off & carry me
Alot of people have listed Sinatra' interpretation of that gret Paul Anka lyric, "My Way" but I look alot deepper in Sinatra's repetoir to find a song of the calibur that I'd really want played at my funeral: Either "One for My Baby (And One More for the Road)" which is indeed Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer's masterpiece of a song or a Jerry Lieber-Mike Stoller collaboration that Sinatra would record later in his days called, "The Girls I've Never Kissed". Just read the lyrics:
The old wolf sniffs the summer breeze, and dreams about his youth, For the sight of skirts above the knees turns his hardboiled brain to tears. And the scent of honey in the tree whets an old sweet tooth.
The pretty girls go strolling by, I smile at them, and heave a sigh. And think of all the things I've missed, and all the pretty girls I've never kissed.
They smile from field of daffodils, they wave from high and windy hills, In secret places by the sea, the girls I've never kissed still wait for me.
All the girls whose names I can't recall, their faces haunt me still, All the pretty girls I've never kissed and never will.
The girls of spring, the girls of fall, the girls of summer most of all, If only time did not exist, if only I could catch that boat I always missed, I'd go back and kiss all the pretty girls I've never kissed.
Lyrics to, "One for My Baby":
It's quarter to three, there's no one in the place except you and me. So, set 'em up, Joe, I got a little story I think you should know We're drinkin', my friend, to the end of a brief episode Make it one for my baby and one more for the road
I got the routine, so drop another nickel in the machine I'm feelin' so bad, can't you make the music easy and sad I Could tell you a lot, but you've got to be true to your code So, make it one for my baby and one more for the road
You'd never know it but buddy, I'm a kind of poet And I got a lot of things to say And when I'm gloomy, won't you listen to me Till it's all talked away...
Well that's how it goes and Joe, I know your gettin' anxious to close So, thanks for the cheer, I hope you didn't mind my bendin' your ear This torch that I found must be drowned or it soon might explode So, make it one for my baby and one more for the road That long, long road
I'd like them to play Cesar Franck's organ Chorales: Nos. 1 and 2. Just the right mood: somewhat funereal, but with exquisite keyboard work and an overall Art Nouveau theme. After that, they'll all be saying, "Turnbull is [was] a good man for having introduced me to those works."
I dont know. Ive thought about it a lot recently,but havent really settled on anything. I like the Boys Night Out song (dont know the name) but the chorus is : "its all about, the song in my head, one where the audience is all dead" or Green Day's Good Riddiance, or maybe 53rd and 3rd by The Ramones
The Beatles - Free As A Bird, Here Comes The Sun, In My Life, Revoloution, While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Eric Clapton - Tears In Heaven
Crowded House - Hey Now (The Dream Is Over)
Bobby Darin - Beyond The Sea
The Eagles - Life In The Fast Lane
Foo Fighters - Everlong, Learn To Fly
Green Day - Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)
John Lennon - Imagine, Stand By Me (Cover)
Lynard Skynard - That Smell
Bob Marley - Could You Be Loved
Sarah McLachlan - Building A Mystery
Nirvana - Come As You Are (Live In New York), Lake Of Fire (Live In N.Y.)
Pearl Jam - Alive
The Police - Every Breath You Take
Nino Rota - selections from The Godfather soundtrack
Three Doors Down - When I`m Gone
U2 - One
Wow, worked out to nearly 30 songs. Look`s like my funeral is gonna take at least a day with food and drink and everything. Better clear your schedule.
Originally posted by don illuminati: Reach-the Replacemnts
i believe the correct title for the song is "within your reach" - but it's never-the-less an excellent pick & a great song
Quote:
Originally posted by Don Vercetti: The Velvet Underground - "Venus in Furs" (I know it's far from funereal, but still I find it to be one of the most relaxing songs ever)
you want a song about wild sex & sadomasochism played at your funeral because it's relaxing?
I'd pick the same Mozart piece, obviously. I played that over and over and over (and over again) all the time in college... it was one of my favorites...
"Louie, Louie" (by the Kingsmen). I don't want anyone standing around feeling sad after I buy the farm.... I want them to enjoy themselves remembering me.
Originally posted by Don Vercetti: The Velvet Underground - "Venus in Furs" (I know it's far from funereal, but still I find it to be one of the most relaxing songs ever)
you want a song about wild sex & sadomasochism played at your funeral because it's relaxing? [/QB][/QUOTE]
I probably wouldn't pick it in real life for that reason, but it has a relaxing, fatigued feeling about it that I have an odd obsession with. But you are right in that it would be a stupid choice and probably leave people scratching their heads.
Mine would probably be one of these above all. "The Beatles - In My Life" Neil Young - "When God Made Me" The Doors - "End of the Night" or "The End." Radiohead - How to Disappear Completely
When Pat and Jasani are brutally murdered to death I'm not going to their funerals. I'll be knackered from bludgeoning them and can't be arsed with all them songs.
Originally posted by Turi Giuliano: When Pat and Jasani are brutally murdered to death I'm not going to their funerals. I'll be knackered from bludgeoning them and can't be arsed with all them songs.
What makes you think they'd let a bloke like you go to their funeral?
Oh how creepy would it be seeing my coffin on that conveyor belt thing going to get toasted whilst Ghost Town by The Specials plays?
Sully - I'm going to your funeral now and reading out my obituary about you. I'll tell everyone about the time we snuck to Cancun and played lightsaber battles with illuminous condoms. Ok it was like to glow worms mating but it's my story to exaggerate.
Originally posted by Turi Giuliano: Sully - I'm going to your funeral now and reading out my obituary about you. I'll tell everyone about the time we snuck to Cancun and played lightsaber battles with illuminous condoms. Ok it was like to glow worms mating but it's my story to exaggerate.
My girlfriend keeps saying she wants good riddance by green day played at hers. Me on the other hand, I'm kind of partial to photograph by nickleback.
Look at this photograph Everytime I do it makes me laugh How did our eyes get so red And what the hell is on Joey's head
And this is where I grew up I think the present outa fix it up I never knew we'd ever went without The second floor is hard for sneaking out
And this is where I went to school Most of the time I had better things to do Criminal records said I've broken twice I must have done it half a dozen times
I wonder if its too late Should i go back and try to graduate Lifes better now that it was back then If I was them I wouldn't let me in
Oh oh oh Oh god I
Every memory of looking out the back door I have the photo album spread out on my bedroom floor Its time to say, time to say it Goodbye, goodbye
Every memory of walking out the front door I found the photo of the friend that I was looking for Its time to say, time to say it Goodbye, goodbye
Goodbye
We used to listen to the radio And sing along with every song we know We said someday we'd find out how if feels To sing to more than just the steering wheel
Kim's the first girl I kissed I was so nervous that I nearly missed She's had a couple of kids since then I haven't seen her since god knows when
Oh oh oh Oh god I
Every memory of looking out the back door I have the photo album spread out on my bedroom floor Its time to say, time to say it Goodbye, goodbye
Every memory of walking out the front door I found the photo of the friend that I was looking for Its time to say, time to say it Goodbye, goodbye
I miss that town I cannot believe it So hard to stay So hard to leave it
If I could I relive those days I know the one that would never change
Every memory of looking out the back door I have the photo album spread on my bedroom floor Its time to say, time to say it Goodbye, goodbye
Every memory of walking out the front door I found the photo of the friend that I was looking for Its time to say, time to say it Goodbye, goodbye
Look at this photograph Everytime I do it makes me laugh Everytime I do it makes me...
IF I had to sum my whole life up in a single musical moment, it would be on DJ Shadow's Mutual Slump (track 10 on Endtroducing), when the frantic drums stop, and a girl's voice says, "Came to America, saw Xanadu, and that's all I wanted to do; rollerskate."
Those words, the way she says it, and the music over the top, evokes feelings I can't describe with words in me. A kind of nostalgic reminiscence of something I haven't yet experienced.
Originally posted by Don Vercetti: I probably wouldn't pick it in real life for that reason, but it has a relaxing, fatigued feeling about it that I have an odd obsession with. But you are right in that it would be a stupid choice and probably leave people scratching their heads.
Venus in Furs is one of the greatest songs ever. I love it.
Originally posted by Capo de La Cosa Nostra: evokes feelings I can't describe with words in me. A kind of nostalgic reminiscence of something I haven't yet experienced.
Waaaw. You just said with words what I feel. What I think about it is; when will that future nostalgic reminiscence actually be? But then again, do I really want to know when it'll be?
So many difficult questions, so little answers... It sucks being smart
I have a friend who wants "Brick House" played at her funeral. She also told us that if she catches something, and knows she will die soon, she wants people to meet her at her bedside for a final word. The person on the top of her list is somebody she works with, who she cannot stand.
Bob Dylan - It Ain't Me Babe, Like A Rolling Stone
The Eagles - Hotel California
Fatboy Slim - Praise You
Foo Fighters - All My Life, Times Like These
Green Day - Blvd. Of Broken Dreams
Guns 'N Roses - Welcome To The Jungle
Billie Joel - We Didn't Start The Fire
Khalid - Aisha
John Lennon - (Just Like) Starting Over
Dean Martin - Ain't That A Kick In The Head
Robert Miles - Children
Queen - I Want To Break Free
Carlos Santana - Smooth
System Of A Down - B.Y.O.B.
Three Dog Night - One Is The Loneliest Number
Tom Petty - I Won't Back Down
P.O.D. - I Feel So Alive
Bruce Springsteen - Dancing In The Dark
2Pac w./The Notorious B.I.G. - Runnin (Dyin To Live)
and.......The Canadian National Anthem.
That's close to 55 songs in total. Hey maybe one my family members or friends could get some bands to play all the songs and charge like $250 a head to attend my funeral. The money could go to The Canadian Diabetes Foundation, The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, The Canadian Cancer Society, Little League Canada, North York General Hospital, Sunnybrook & Women's College Health Sciences Centre and York University.
In all seriousness though, I'm not too sure what song I'd choose. Maybe "The Ballad of Curtis Lowe" by Lynyrd Skynyrd. Perhaps "Wish You Were Here" by Pink Floyd.
I'm gonna be cremated after my death, but I still plan on having a wake and a service. I want it set up so everybody is waiting at the site for a half hour, and I'm still not there. They always said I'd be late for my own funeral, so why disappoint?
New song added to my list: "I've Gotta Be Me" by Sammy Davis Jr.
That makes my list three.
When people are walking in, I want "That's Life" by Frank Sinatra to be played, as they're seated "I've Gotta Be Me", and as they're leaving: "Famous Last Words" by Billy Joel.
Mine would probably be one of these above all. "The Beatles - In My Life"
I side with you there, it is a great song.
The anthem of my life would be Oasis' Live Forever, but I don't think that the theme of it ("maybe I will never be all the things that I wanna be, now is not the time to cry, now's the time to find out why") suits the funeral (when it's already over) as much as the "you and I are gonna live forever" line.
Other candidates: Radiohead - Bulletproof... I wish I was Kent - Mannen i den vita hatten (16 år senare) Oasis - (You've got the) Heart of a Star Oasis - Stop Crying Your Heart Out Bruce Springsteen - Independence Day Bruce Springsteen - Bobby Jean Bruce Springsteen - The Promised Land Muse - Endlessly John Lennon - Imagine Suede - The Next Life
1. Live Forever- Oasis 2. Time of Your Life- Green Day 3. What's My Age Again- blink 182 4. Come As You Are- Nirvana 5. Fire and Rain- James Taylor 6. Over the Hills and Far Away- Led Zeppelin
Mad World - Gary Jules Friend of a Friend - Foo Fighters From Can to Can't - Corey Taylor, Dave Grohl, Rick Nielsen, Scott Reeder Wild Horses - The Rolling Stones Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd
And maybe to be a smartass, but no one would get my oddball humor Wynona's Big Brown Beaver - Primus
Mad World - Gary Jules Friend of a Friend - Foo Fighters From Can to Can't - Corey Taylor, Dave Grohl, Rick Nielsen, Scott Reeder Wild Horses - The Rolling Stones Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd
And maybe to be a smartass, but no one would get my oddball humor Wynona's Big Brown Beaver - Primus
Mad World from Donny Darko....erie song ..I've heard Wish you were here more than once at a funeral so it has little effect on me use to like playing the solo's in that song when I was in a band ...
But please give me a kiss before I die. 
