From the "Odd News" tab at Yahoo.ca:
LONDON (Reuters) - James Blunt's "Goodbye My Lover" is the song most requested at British funerals and remembrance services, closely followed by Robbie Williams's "Angels," according to a survey released on Monday.

Research for the Bereavement Register found just over a half (51 percent) of people ask for a specific song be played at their funeral and 79 percent have talked with family and friends about possible song choices. The survey of 5,000 people also uncovered some unusual final choices for the final goodbye with rock songs like "I'll Sleep When I am Dead" by Bon Jovi, competing with classical tracks and soul.

"The top 20 really shows how far we have come in terms of saying goodbye. Gone are the days dirges of yore, instead we are seeing contemporary music that is easier to relate to," said Mark Roy, founder of the Bereavement Register, which removes the names and addresses of people who have died from databases to reduce junk mail.

"Everyone has a favorite song that means something very special to them, often connected to a particular time and place. When the song is played this can be a very emotive reminder of that person," he said in a statement.

Although fashions change there have been some consistent favorites over recent years like "Wind Beneath My Wings" at number four and "Candle In The Wind" -- a reworked version of which played at Princess Diana's funeral in 1997 -- which was at number six.

Many of the songs represented the different ages of the deceased.

Songs like "Danny Boy" (number 11 in the list) tended to be played at the funerals of the elderly while S Club 7's "Reach For The Stars" (number 20) was more usual at children's funerals, the survey showed.

Others in the top 20 included "Knocking On Heaven's Door" by Bob Dylan and, perhaps unexpectedly, Fame's "I Want To Live Forever." The top 10 requested songs were:

1 - "Goodbye My Lover" - James Blunt
2 - "Angels" - Robbie Williams
3 - "I've Had The Time Of My Life" - Jennifer Warnes and Bill Medley
4 - "Wind Beneath My Wings" - Bette Midler
5 - "Pie Jesu" - Requiem
6 - "Candle In The Wind" - Elton John
7 - "With Or Without You" - U2
8 - "Tears In Heaven" - Eric Clapton
9 - "Every Breath You Take - The Police
10 -"Unchained Melody" - Righteous Brothers.

While I attempt to come to terms with the song from Fame and "I've Had the Time of My Life" on the list, what song would/do you want played?

I realize that some may find this to be a rather morbid topic, and for that I do apologize. But after reading the above list, I thought that perhaps the Covers could come up with an even quirkier list!!

I'm learning towards the intro from "2010 : A Space Odessy" or the Darth Vadar march (although, I've said that if I ever marry again, I'm walking down the aisle to that...wedding...funeral...same thing...)

So far, I've only been able to come up with song titles that could result in why we're having my funeral - "What Happens Down in Mexico, Stays in Mexico", "I'll Never Smoke with Willie Again", "The Roof is On Fire"....

I shouldn't have eaten all those wine gums during lunch...

"Another One Bites the Dust"?

"Another One Bites the Dust"?

That one received a round of applause from my cubey-mates.

Take It To The Limit:cool:

"If I Could Turn Back Time" - Cher

...although still giggling at the Dust song...

I guess I might request "Free Bird". It used to be my personal anthem (until that marriage thing hit :mg: )

Side bar: I'm sort of surprised "Amazing Grace" didn't make the list. It seems that's been played at just about every funeral I've attended for the last while.

Paradise by the Dashboard Lights (by Meatloaf) of course.

"So now I'm praying for the end of time
To hurry up and arrive
'cause if I have to spend another minute with you
I don't think that I could really survive"

"Another One Bites the Dust"?

Had that playing at my first wedding . Oh wait funeral ..... FIRST wedding ...... same thing!!!!!!!

Ava Maria

Last Dance... Donna Summers

See Ya Later, Alligator :)

Don't forget Gene Autry - "Happy Trails To You" :notme: :singtome:

"Stairway to Heaven" or "Highway to He-double-hockey-sticks"

I've been partial to "Goodbye My Friend" by Linda Ronstadt, although it is more a song you would choose for a friend's funeral, rather than for your own.

It starts:

Oh, we never know where life will take us.
I know it's just a ride on the wheel.
And we never know when death will shake us
And we wonder how it will feel.

So goodbye my friend.
I know I'll never see you again,
But the time together through all the years
Will take away these tears.
It's okay now.
Goodbye, my friend.


Tim F

Thought I'd add another...
"I'll See You in My Dreams"
I saw/heard this on the Tribute to George concert on PBS when George Harrison died. I thought it was an awesome musical "good-bye"...

-Steve

Hey! What if the departed is being cremated? Then I would say play The Doors "Light My Fire"!!!


Well just trying to lighten the mood a bit!!!

Larry

:topic: Just because it has been mentioned twice now......

What is the difference between an Irish wedding and an Irish wake?


One less drunk
:tg:

Hey! What if the departed is being cremated? Then I would say play The Doors "Light My Fire"!!!


Well just trying to lighten the mood a bit!!!

Larry

"Ring of Fire"? :lol:

I was trying to keep the mood light...wanted this to be a more humourous kind of thread.

Paradise by the Dashboard Lights (by Meatloaf) of course.

"So now I'm praying for the end of time
To hurry up and arrive
'cause if I have to spend another minute with you
I don't think that I could really survive"

I'll never break my promise or forget my vows, but God only knows what I would do right now :)

Been sung at weddings I've attended. :bonk:

Sorry - on the 'serious' side of the thread - I was in guitar mass in the mid-70's. For some reason 'Let There be Peace on Earth' was one of my favorites, and it was just played at the funeral mass for our priest who was 91 years old. I don't think I've heard it in about 20 years, so that would be on my list. "On Eagle's Wings" is also a winner - on the serious side.

On the other hand - I kind of like the suggestions. Add Dust in the Wind to the list!

Death of a clown - the Kinks (think it was actually written for a funeral!)

A few that sprang to mind:

Enter Sandman - Metallica
Highway to He11 - ACDC
Where Angels Play - The Stone Roses
Time Of Your Life - Greenday
Better Of Dead - Bad Religion

"Ring of Fire"? :lol:

I was trying to keep the mood light...wanted this to be a more humourous kind of thread.

...Sorry, the George Harrison thing just popped into my head...:confused:

How about John Prine "Please Don't Burry Me"? For those who haven't heard it, the chorus goes like this...

Chorus:

Please don't bury me down in the cold cold ground!
I'd rather have them cut me up and pass me all around!
Throw my brain in a hurricane,
The blind can have my eyes,
And the deaf can take both a' my ears if they don't mind the size!
:lol:

I'm thinking I'd like something by Bauhaus.
"Bella Lugosi's Dead" is too obvious... although my friends would probably get a good laugh... which is how I would like to be remembered.

Maybe "Spirit"
I could be with you
Or waiting in the wings
Lift your heart with soaring song
Cut down the puppet strings
Cut down the puppet strings

I may tap you on the shoulder
And whisper "go" in red
Strip your feet of lead my friend
Strip your feet of lead

Call the curtain
Raise the roof
Spirits on tonight

My co-workers who arrived early this morning - despite the "monsoon" we're currently experiencing up here - apparently gave this topic a lot of thought last night. There were post-it notes on my desk!!! (and I got here at 0700)

"Sharp Dressed Man" - must be from one of the female QC Technicians!
"Whiter Shade of Pale"
"When the Saints Go Marching In" - played quickly
Denis Leary's song...who's title I will not type here.
"Always Look on the Bright Side of Life"
"Take Me Home Tonight"
"Hokey Pokey" - and people must do the actions while walking out to the plot
"When I'm Up I Can't Get Down"
"It's the End of the World As We Know It"
"Roxanne" - and everyone has to wear red (when I find out who left that on my desk...)
"Oops I Did It Again" - that person is just weird
"I Wanna Break Free"
"Where the Streets Have No Name"
"What Went Wrong"
"Live Like You Were Dying"
"Hockey Night in Canada" theme song
"Life is a Lemon (And I Want My Money Back)"

How about "Closing Time"? Every new beginning is just some other beginnings end.

" I can't get there from here" - REM

John Prine's Please Don't Bury Me (http://mcraeclan.com/Graeme/JohnPrinePleaseDontBuryMe.htm)

or

Donald Fagen's Brite Nitegown (http://donaldfagen.com/disc_morphthecat.php#britenightgown)

I guess Jim and I think alike :rolleyes:

...How about "The Party's Over" by Willie Nelson? http://www.go2lyrics.com/W/Willie+Nelson/505252.html

OBTW - Dandy Don Meredith used to sing this at the end of every MNF game, probably just annoy Howard! :lol:

I guess Jim and I think alike :rolleyes:


I missed your earlier post. :D BTW, "Happy Trails" was Roy Rogers (and Dale Evans, written by Evans), not Gene Autry. A good Gene Autry song (if there is such a thing) would be "The Last Roundup."

I missed your earlier post. :D BTW, "Happy Trails" was Roy Rogers (and Dale Evans, written by Evans), not Gene Autry. A good Gene Autry song (if there is such a thing) would be "The Last Roundup."

...all I can say is :bonk: I knew that! REALLY!:lol: (Sorry Roy!)

Another fine John Prine song: Paradise:
Last verse:

When I die let my ashes float down the Green River
Let my soul roll on up to the Rochester dam
I'll be halfway to Heaven with Paradise waitin'
Just five miles away from wherever I am.

Chorus:
And daddy won't you take me back to Muhlenberg County
Down by the Green River where Paradise lay
Well, I'm sorry my son, but you're too late in asking
Mister Peabody's coal train has hauled it away

I don't really care what anyone plays for my funeral, I just hope that there will be no dancing in the streets! :lmao:

I just hope that there will be no dancing in the streets! :lmao:

Is that the Martha and the Vandellas version, or Mick Jagger and David Bowie's??? :)

Is that the Martha and the Vandellas version, or Mick Jagger and David Bowie's??? :)

David Bowie, please and thank you. ;)

Suggested by our environmental co-op student..."Missing You" complete with the line 'I'm not missing you at all.'

Leader of the Pack or Bang Bang (My baby shot me down)

If I am cryogenically frozen, there won't be a funeral to have a song :confused:

Maybe... From Austin Powers 2 or 3, "It's a Hard Luck Life", fitting for Dr. Evil.(oh yeah, and Mr. Bigglesworth).

Farther Along... has always been fairly common in my circles.

Long and Winding Road - Beatles.

Iron Maiden's, "Only the Good Die Young". Just because I can....... :rar:

The demon in your mind will rape you in your bed at night
The wisdom of ages the lies and outrages concealed
Time it waits for no man
My future is revealed
Time it waits for no man
My fate is sealed

If I cancel tomorrow the undead will thank me today
Fly in the space of your prophets I mock your morality plays
The moon is red and bleeding
The sun is burned and black
The book of life is silent
No turning back

Only the good die young
All the evil seems to live forever
Only the good die young
All the evil seems to live forever
Only the good die young
Only the good die young

Mistery madman a victim of cruel charade
Some innocent pawn in an end game one more stalemate
Is death another birthday?
A way to kiss your dreams goodbey?
Do the undead live within us?
And look through our eyes?

Walking on water are mirarcles all you can trust
Measure your coffin does it measure up to your lust
So I think Ill leave you
With your bishops and your guilt
So until the next time
Have a good sin

Only the good die young
All the evil seems to live forever
Only the good die young
All the evil seems to live forever
Only the good die young
Only the good die young

Seven deadly sins
Seven ways to win
Seven holy paths to h3ll

Seven downward slopes
Seven bloodied hopes
Seven are your burning fires
Seven your desires...

My choice is Truckin', by the Grateful Dead. "What a long, strange trip it's been."

Mine would be: All my trials - by Peter, Paul & Mary.
"All My trials lord.....soon be over"

I guess I might request "Free Bird". It used to be my personal anthem (until that marriage thing hit :mg: )

Side bar: I'm sort of surprised "Amazing Grace" didn't make the list. It seems that's been played at just about every funeral I've attended for the last while.

I've actually attended a funeral where they played Free Bird...

Funny: "Knocking on Heaven's Door" would seem appropriate - if I found that I was locked out, that is...

Serious: "I Can Only Imagine" seems like a pretty good one.

Linkin Park's "In The End" and/or "Faint".

I think a little Queen would be good...get the congregation rockin' with "We Will Rock You!

Remember the movie "The Big Chill" where they played "You Can't Always Get What You Want" on the organ during the funeral?

Two suggestions:

Slow:
"The Show Must Go On" by Queen-oddly enough, came out about 6 months before Freddie died.

Upbeat:
"Dead Man's Party" - Oingo Boingo

So i think what we're sayin' here is that Queen did some real fine funeral music!

Rock on, dude!

How about " Last Dance" for a disco soul, "He Stopped Loving Here Today" for a country soul and "Diggin Up Bones" for the grave diggers.

I Would Give Everything I Own - Bread :)

What about: Iron Man-Black Sabbath

Just as another offering... "In Heaven, There Is No Beer" (that's why we drink it here!) :beerdive: :drunk:

Parliament, "Flashlight!"