Morbid curiosity - Funeral music, what would you want?

[K]

So my iPod was on ramdom again and spat out a tune I'd not heard for a bit (in full anyway) and reminded me that I really wanted it played at my funeral - preferably as my coffin descends into a hole/flames/burning ship/whatever...

... the orchestral theme to The Great Escape. It just seems appropriate for me.:rolleyes:

Oh, and I wanted Hans Zimmermans 'Leave No Man Behind' (from Black Hawk Down) in there somewhere too - nice stirring piece.


That said I was surprised how many of my mates, who have no concept of classical music, want Addagio for Strings (Platoon: Elias' death scene I believe). Shows how movies can inspire in strange ways I s'pose.


So - being morbidly curious - what would folks want and why?

[SoulKiss]

Life is a Lemon and I Want My Money Back - Meatloaf

if only for the lyric "You can shove it up your 4r$3"

But to guarantee maximum tearage, Who Wants to Live Forever by Queen

[fizzwheel]

Nimrod from Enigma Variations - Elgar
Stormy Clouds and Stormy Clouds ( reprise ) - The Verve

"Stormy Clouds"

I wanted to tell you my story
How my life seemed to change in a matter of days
The heavens break I am walking tall
How come change always seems to bring the rain

Stormy clouds, new horizons
Come and get it, if you want to
So hop on the train 'Cause it kills the pain
Blues player going to another town
Believe me this boy here is sinking
Just drinking

These streets, these times
They tie me down through with you
But I feel no pain
Stormy clouds, new horizons

Both for me spine tingling, hair standing up on the back of your neck pieces of music.

[MiniMatt]

Hmm, "Road to Hell" by Chris Rhea might be more appropriate than Dylan's "Knocking on Heaven's Door" :)

[Steve H]

Eternal Life by Jeff Buckley
" got my red glitter coffin, man, just need one last nail". :smt025

[keithd]

im just waiting for going underground to appear...

i'd go for comfortably numb.

[hovis]

unforgiven - metallica

[DanDare]

Nine Inch Nails - A warm place

[stewie]

I would have the theme from the Benny Hill show with instructions that everyone has to run around the church chasing the coffin in a sort of jerky speeded up fashion :D

[Ceri JC]

Nannou 2 by Aphex Twin, real tear jerker of a piano piece as the coffin gets brought in. Then Rob D - Clubbed to Death (Kurayamino Variation) as the coffin is incinerated to cheer everyone up.

[Mr Toad]

Always look on the Bright Side of Life :grin:

It brings back memories of a time and place that should be really grim, but because of the idiots singing this song, stays with me as one of those Monty Python moments that reflects the British sense of humour

[Lissa]

Sandstorm as people are entering, so they bounce down the aisles:D

The O Fortuna Chorus from Carmina Burana as they consign me to the flames...............just so old Harry Hades knows I'm on the way and puts the kettle on:D

[cuffy]

Stop crying your eyes out - Oasis
Who killed bambi - Tenpole Tudor, just for the giggle factor :D

[Essex of Essex]

We said goodbye to an old friend in January and Always Look on The Bright Side of Life was played, it made the whole thing seem more a celebration of her life than a funeral; and thats what I would like for my passing. But not for a long time yet thank you very much.

[wyrdness]

"Lay Me Low" - Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds.

They're gonna lay me low
They're gonna sink me in the snow
They're gonna throw back their heads and crow
When I go

It's hilarious and the only rock song that I know of that contains the word "fluegelhorn"

[Moffatt666]

I have always fancied a bit of maiden - either 'Dance Of Death' or 'Fear of the Dark.'

[timwilky]

Don't fear the reaper :- Blue Oyster cult

Must be showing my age with that one.

[slark01]

Manatsu no yoru no yume
by
Shikao Suga
from the Manga Anime
Death Note

[Balky001]

We've Got To Get Out of This Place - Animals, or

These are the day's of our lives - Queen

[MeridiaNx]

An Ending (Ascent) from Apollo: Atmospheres & Soundscapes by Brian Eno. You'll all know it without realising that you do :D

Oh and a good old classic hymn, The Day Thou Gavest Lord Has Ended. I'm not Christian but appropriate and timeless all the same.

[northwind]

I've left strict orders that Hope For An Angel by Biffy Clyro is to be played at mine... Partly because it starts out as a lovely acoustic ballad with entirely suitable lyrics, but mainly because halfway through it suddenly goes BOOOM! with a huge powerchord, and ends in a huge riff, monster kick-drum beat and a load of screaming. If there's not at least one heart attack I'll be disappointed- I've seen people jump in the air from fright, or spill all their drinks all over themselves when it's played at gigs. Always leave 'em laughing...

I've not really left any other requests, but if I do then playout music is to be Ender by A... And for "proper" hymn-esque music, let's have Blackout by Muse- I reckon people could sing along to that, perhaps with a karaoke screen :) I'd like to get the Hell is for Heroes track Disconnector in there somewhere, it's just fitting. The Day Thou Gavest is a great funeral song, I think it's been played at every funeral I've been at- that's a trend worth continuing. Plus it'd keep the old folks happy.

But, the ace in the hole has to be Do You Realise by the Flaming Lips...

"Do You Realize - that everyone you know someday will die
And instead of saying all of your goodbyes - let them know
You realize that life goes fast
It's hard to make the good things last
You realize the sun doesn't go down
It's just an illusion caused by the world spinning round"

Plus, it's such a joyous, uplifting song... I played it on the day of my grandad's funeral and it really helped me get through the day.

[Blue_SV650S]

Spooky, I was at a funeral yesterday!! :o

To be fair I don't want a funeral ... or music ... I have asked for my body to be taken up in a helicopter/plane/balloon and then just chucked out over a random bit of land ...

Sky diving is prolly one of them things I'll never get round to doing you see ... or pizza making ... :lol:

I am serious though, I have requested thats what I want ... why would I want to be buried or cremated?? I also hate the idea of having a funeral and no bu66r turn up ... and thems that do BSing to each other what a great guy I was and how tragic a loss it is!!! :D

[northwind]

Ah, well, if we're talking requests I'm to be cremated, and then my brothers have to take my ashes to Arisaig and scatter them off a particular big rock shaped like a head. That'll **** them off- only fair, why should they be having fun when I'm dead?

[mister c]

But to guarantee maximum tearage, Who Wants to Live Forever by Queen
Mate of mine had that at his funeral. He died when he was 34, so was quite fitting and yes it was the only time I cried through the service. can't watch the film Highlander now tho :(

i want something nice & jolly for mine, everybody can go & get Pi$$ed & stop being sad cos I've gone.

[Supervox]

I want to be cremated - the 'service' to include "Affirmation" by Savage Garden & "Freebird" by Lynrd Skynrd.

Then, I want my ashes scattered at sea - preferably right in the middle of the Hurst Race (a stretch of water in the Solent where all the currents meet & wher it is notoriously difficult to keep a boat going in the direction you intend !!)

[Razor]

My Way - Sid Vicious

[Tim in Belgium]

Broken Boy Soldier -The Raconteurs, possibly.

Not religious so will just be a celebration type thing for people to bid their farewells and come to terms with things. That reminds me need to sort out my will.

[Kinvig]

In my current mood: "This is the end" by the Doors.

Besides, it's a pretty cool tune. And they always play it in those 'Nam movies. Whatever happened to Tour of Duty....?

[TVR_Tracy]

Mate of mine had that at his funeral. He died when he was 34, so was quite fitting and yes it was the only time I cried through the service. can't watch the film Highlander now tho :(

I can sympathize with you there. One of my best mates died when he was 22, and being a big Liverpool suporter he had Gerry & the Pacemaker's You'll never walk alone at his cremation... I tell you, I can't listen to that now without welling up :(... I miss you Dave RIP

But as for me I've had a few (random) thoughts for tunes...
Aaliyah - Miss you
Beautiful South - One last love song
Chris Rea - Tell me there's a heaven
Within Temptation - Our Farewell... sad, but with a happy-ish twist at the end

OK, that's got me thinking about my mate :(... Laters

[BernardBikerchick]

Nimrod from Enigma Variations - Elgar
Stormy Clouds and Stormy Clouds ( reprise ) - The Verve

"Stormy Clouds"

I wanted to tell you my story
How my life seemed to change in a matter of days
The heavens break I am walking tall
How come change always seems to bring the rain

Stormy clouds, new horizons
Come and get it, if you want to
So hop on the train 'Cause it kills the pain
Blues player going to another town
Believe me this boy here is sinking
Just drinking

These streets, these times
They tie me down through with you
But I feel no pain
Stormy clouds, new horizons

Both for me spine tingling, hair standing up on the back of your neck pieces of music.


fizzzzzzzzzzz that is soooo spoooooooooooky the nimrod thing! totally my first choice too !!! just shivered thinking about it love that music so much !

[Razor]

In my current mood: "This is the end" by the Doors.

Besides, it's a pretty cool tune. And they always play it in those 'Nam movies. Whatever happened to Tour of Duty....?

Reaganomics man, Reaganomics...

[Eagle747]

I'm old - so I guess I'd better take this seriously!

Wasn't Born to Follow by the Byrds. Off the Easyrider soundtrack.

Sad eh?

[Bluewolf]

Always look on the Bright Side of Life :grin:



Another one here for The Pythons! :D

[Alpinestarhero]

The Divine Wings of Tradgedy by Symphony X. A long (20 mins, i think) song!

Matt

[Alpinestarhero]

I have always fancied a bit of maiden - either 'Dance Of Death' or 'Fear of the Dark.'

Fear of the dark is an excellent suggestion :D The way maiden carries on, they'll still be alive and rockin' while we're pushing up the daisies

Which means they can play live at my funeral

Matt

[tricky]

In a similar theme to K, I'd like the main theme to "Where Eagles Dare" by Ron Goodwin.

Very dramatic and moody with drums getting louder and louder as my box slides out of site on that little conveyor belt and the main orchestra coming in just as the curtain closes.

Probably thought about that too much :-k

[Bear]

Ok, I've reprinted this in full coz I love it so much. It's a really upbeat little number, and I can't think of anything that says what I want to say so well.

Macy Grey: The Letter

All I ever wanted was some love and peace and harmony
I could dance in the raw in the sun underneath the stars
When I walk over to my money tree ain't nobody there trying to take from me
When they ask "Are you truly free?" I'd say "Yes, truly"
But down here in reality everybody knows there ain't no such thing
And it's clear
It's obviously this is not the place I'm supposed to be
On and on and on I've searched
What I'm lookin for is not here on earth
I can't stand I can't take no more
So I know that I gotta go
So long everybody
Mama don't be sad for me
Life was a heartache and now I am finally free
Don't know where I'm headed
Hope I see you someday soon
So long everybody
I have gone beyond the moon

All I ever wanted,love and the peace and the harmony
Just to be live and shine
When I get ready I up and fly
And I can't remember none of the things that I want to forget
It's the best - satisfaction no less
Ask if I'm free and I'll say "Oh yes"
But down here in reality everybody knows there ain't no such thing
And it's clear
It's obviously this is not the place I'm supposed to be
On and on and on I've searched
What I'm lookin for is not here on earth
I can't stand I can't take no more
So I know that I gotta go
So long everybody
Mama don't be sad for me
Life was a heartache and now I am finally free
Don't know where i'm headed
Hope I see you someday soon
So long everybody
I have gone beyond the moon

Before I do
Just one more look at you
It's worth the stay
But I'll meet you later at that better place
All I ever wanted was
All I ever wanted was
All I ever wanted was

So long everybody
Mama don't be sad for me
Life was a heartache and now I am finally free
Don't know where I'm headed
Hope I see you someday soon
So long everybody
I have gone beyond the moon"

Dammit, I'm welling up just reading it!

Grrr, rufty-tufty biker me!

[Grinch]

I am the music man...

[keithd]

fúck it, changed my mind. i want a live band. showaddywaddy covers.

[tricky]

I've always thought "Last Ride in" by Greenday would be quite appropriate too.

[Grinch]

fúck it, changed my mind. i want a live band. showaddywaddy covers.

Nice... maybe Black Lace?

[Tiger 55]

i'd go for comfortably numb.
That's what Mrs Tiger wants, as well as Wish You Were Here.

I want For Those In Peril On The Sea in the hymn section with members of the Org (you're all invited) stalking up and down the aisle barking "SING" at the mumblers.

75-85 Live box set version of The River by Bruce Springsteen, coffin to begin descent just as the harmonica cuts in. They'll be bloody bawling!

[Law]

Ding dong, the witch is dead.

:lol:

Dunno really. Maybe Pardon Me (Acoustic version) by Incubus if I'm being cremated.

"So Pardon me while I burst into flames.
I've had enough of the world, and its people's mindless games
So Pardon me while I burn, and rise above the flame
Pardon me, pardon me. I'll never be the same."

[mac]

Good riddance (time of your life) by Green Day.

My view is that funerals should be a celabration of the persons life and not commiserating (sp?) a death.

[richbeales]

Definitely Who wants to live forever (Queen)

[kitkat]

something to make people smile (as if my being dead would not do that anyway)

hadnt thought about it, and I wont. I will be dead and therefore dont really care

[Alpinestarhero]

something to make people smile (as if my being dead would not do that anyway)


It'd make us sad kitkat!

Matt

[Tomcat]

It'd make us sad kitkat!

Matt

I second that, don't have to meet face to face to be able to know that ;)

[Razor]

I want the 4 horsemen of the Apocalypse to do an A capella version of Welcome to the Jungle.

[Balky001]

Wake me up before you Go Go, or
'If you don't know me by now' :p

[kitkat]

It'd make us sad kitkat!

Matt

I second that, don't have to meet face to face to be able to know that ;)


aw bless you both. i have a lovely warm glow now. oh wait thats cos im sunburnt

how was the holiday tomcat?

[Ed]

Someone wanted 'The Day Thou Gavest Lord Is Ended' - what a dismal dirge....

I would like 'Somewhere over the rainbow' from The Wizard of Oz. Ooh, my heart misses a beat when Judy Garland skips along with the Tin Man... showing my age I guess...

[Steve H]

Someone wanted 'The Day Thou Gavest Lord Is Ended' - what a dismal dirge....

I would like 'Somewhere over the rainbow' from The Wizard of Oz. Ooh, my heart misses a beat when Judy Garland skips along with the Tin Man... showing my age I guess...

............and that you are very good friends with Bluesteel, perhaps?! :rolleyes:

[MeridiaNx]

Someone wanted 'The Day Thou Gavest Lord Is Ended' - what a dismal dirge....

I would like 'Somewhere over the rainbow' from The Wizard of Oz. Ooh, my heart misses a beat when Judy Garland skips along with the Tin Man... showing my age I guess...

'Twas me....only a dirge if sung by your typical Sunday mass 'We're traditional and don't want to be associated with any psuedo-evangelical bible-belt happy-clappy with a folk group so we'll sing this as though the world is about to end and look miserable to boot' :D I reckon if sung by a group of your mates with some passion behind it it would be a different story altogether.

'Somewhere Over The Rainbow' seems a bit twee to me but there you go each to his own taste which is the main point ;)

EDIT: Though you could have 'You're not in Kansas anymore, Dorothy' as your epitaph for an overall theme feeling if you went the burial route I suppose....

[Quedos]

My Mum had
kepa Junkera - upbeat basque music on the way in
Those were the day of our lives - Queen
The show must go on -Queen as everyone went out.

I'm not sure though Affirmation by Savage garden is good and Vixen Love is a killer
Dad want smoke get in your eyes~!

[beniryu]

I want:

Who wants to live forever - Queen
Another one bites the dust - Queen
Immortality - Bee Gees

[Philbo]

Ultimate Funeral tune...not sure my folks would appreciate though...
Killed by Death - Motorhead:D :smt035

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wkMQFcK10Y&mode=related&search=

Also has the most bizarre lyrics ever...something about lizzards etc?

[Philbo]

OR
Surprise your dead - Faith no more:p
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BGrFku2itk&mode=related&search=
OR
Ashes to Ashes FNM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMB0c64ZR84&mode=related&search=
OR
Digging the grave - FNM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmkMRUNK8Q4&mode=related&search=
Or
Last cup of sorrow - FNM, again
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INPE8Z0zMGU&mode=related&search=

[Ginge_SV]

It has to be Good Riddance (time of your life ) by Green day, even more so hearing it live last year :smt059 :-({|=

[Davies]

For me......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXISm3JjYU0&mode=related&search=

or my all time favourite

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8bkTusHYeQ :smt025

possibly this too:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBbvFIpUBKM&mode=related&search=

[thebluelion]

Mine would be "stairway to heaven" ledzepplin for the service and "born to be wild" steppenwolf for leaving the church

[aarond]

OK mine would have to be

Dragon Force- Trail of Broken Hearts, for people coming in

Flogging Molly- Don't let me die still Wondering, for when coffin gets burnt

Guns N'Roses- don't cry, for leaving

[Treacle]

Going under ground = The jam
or
Orpheus = David Sylvian

[rpwoodman]

I've already told my wife what I want for my funeral (I understand you're allowed 3):

Anarchy in the UK - Sex Pistols (none of my friends thought I'd live til 30 - I'm now 37)
Street Spirit - Radiohead (simple, gorgeous - like me!)
Moonlight Sonata - Beethoven (tho in two minds about changing that to Arrival of the Queen of Sheba - Handel; had it at our wedding and it still makes me well up thinking about it)

[K]

Oh well - if you're allowed three then I have to make my mind on and either add All Along the Watchtower ot Voodoo Child... hey, it's gotta be Hendrix. ;)

[Viney]

Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep! It was no1 on the day i was born, so why not go out to it?

I want Agadoo. Just imagine the congrigation...i'd laugh or Knock on wood - Ami Stewart

[rpwoodman]

Knock on wood - Ami Stewart

If you're going to go down that route, how about Dave Edmunds (?) - I hear you knocking? :-)

[Viney]

I aksed this at work and i got the following

Firestarter - The prodigy
Stairway to heaven - Rolf Harris
Love machine - Girls aloud
Sex Machine - James brown
Burial - Lectivus (A jungle tune)

[rpwoodman]

This reminds me of a story I heard about wedding music. A couple asked for "Robin Hood theme" - meaning the Bryan Adams one.
Instead they got the "Robin Hood, Robin Hood, riding through the glen" music (50's TV?), which is a bit quick to walk down the aisle to... :-)
And I guess that leads on to the "Jackie Wilson said" faux-pas on TOTPs many years ago.

[Razor]

CAKE - Sheep go to heaven (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0mx5ERj1eI)