Music for your funeral

This is for all non-EC or peripheral-EC topics. We all know how much we love talking about 'The Man' but sometimes we have other interests.
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Otis Westinghouse
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Music for your funeral

Post by Otis Westinghouse »

Apologies if this seems in poor taste to anyone, but I was at a friend's funeral last year and some great music was played, and music in such moments can be at its most intensely powerful. The selection was:

John Martyn - Sweet Little Mystery
Bob Dylan - Forever Young (sung live in the chapel)
Van Morrison - Spirit (from the less well known Common One, amazing)
Iris DeMent - When My Morning Comes Around

I'd never considered what I might have before this, and find myself wondering every now and again. I'd have to have Joy Division's Atmosphere, something by Bach (e.g. from a cello suite) or Beethoven (string quartet, probably), and I'd want to end with The Parting Glass, I think. Can't see any Elvis being right for the moment (unless it was him doing the latter).

What would you have for this moment which is all about you but which you aren't (physically) present to experience?
There's more to life than books, you know, but not much more
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cosmos
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Post by cosmos »

Jeff Beck - Where Were You
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tallulah
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Post by tallulah »

Cheery topic!

I say KEEP ME IN YOUR HEART FOR AWHILE, by Warren Zevon. So sad, so pretty. I love the line, "I'm tied to you like the buttons on your blouse."
And I was happy to be alive, in a magic world.
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Jackson Monk
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Post by Jackson Monk »

2 EC ones booked and in my will:

Green Song
The Birds Will Still be Singing

in that order
corruptio optimi pessima
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Boy With A Problem
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Post by Boy With A Problem »

Going Underground - The Jam
Everyone just needs to fuckin’ relax. Smoke more weed, the world is ending.
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Otis Westinghouse
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Post by Otis Westinghouse »

Black humour or what? How about Ashes To Ashes?

Never having heard For The Stars, I don't know Green Song. Words look the part. Birds Will Still Be Singing is a lovely choice.
There's more to life than books, you know, but not much more
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Boy With A Problem
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Post by Boy With A Problem »

yes - a bit of black humor - but after I think of the funeral set - I still think my friends would get a chuckle over that one - and you gotta leave 'em laughing.
Everyone just needs to fuckin’ relax. Smoke more weed, the world is ending.
invisible Pole
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Post by invisible Pole »

Ha Ha You're Dead - Green Day
Another One Bites The Dust - Queen

Just kidding ... :lol:

How about Louis Armstrong singing What A Beautiful World ?
Or maybe Silver & Gold by Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros, just to remind all mourners how important it is to "seize the day".

I can't resist to paste the lyrics of this song here as it's truly heartbreaking in the context of Joe's death a couple of months after this recording.


Silver And Gold

I'm gonna go out dancin' every night
I'm gonna see all the city lights
I'll do everything silver and gold
I got to hurry up before I grow too old

I'm gonna take a trip around the world
I'm gonna kiss all the pretty girls
I'll do everything silver and gold
And I got to hurry up before I grow too old

Oh I do a lotta things I know is wrong
Hope I'm forgiven before I'm gone
It'll take a lotta prayers to save my soul
And I got to hurry up before I grow too old

I'm gonna take a trip around the world
Gonna kiss all the pretty girls
Who do everything silver and gold
And I got to hurry up before I grow too old

I'm gonna go out dancin' every night
I'm gonna see all your city lights
I'm gonna do everything silver and gold
And I got to hurry up before I grow too old
If you don't know what is wrong with me
Then you don't know what you've missed
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so lacklustre
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Post by so lacklustre »

When Will I See You Again
Too Far Gone
signed with love and vicious kisses
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pip_52
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Post by pip_52 »

Right now I like Radiohead's "Motion Picture Soundtrack."

"I will see you in the next life ..."
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BlueChair
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Post by BlueChair »

I hope I still have many years to discover many more songs.
This morning you've got time for a hot, home-cooked breakfast! Delicious and piping hot in only 3 microwave minutes.
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crash8_durham
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Post by crash8_durham »

Hit The Road Jack - Ray Charles



sorry couldn't resist
alexv
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Post by alexv »

"Everything Happens to Me"
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El Vez
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Post by El Vez »

Please Don't Bury Me - John Prine
selfmademug

Post by selfmademug »

I have a few I would want, but the most important would be BRIGHT AS YELLOW by The Innocence Mission.
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stormwarning
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Post by stormwarning »

"Now I'm Dead, Now I'm Dead, Now I'm Dead, Now I'm Dead"

Seriously though, if I was survived by my partner I would be posthumously flattered if she played "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" by Roberta Flack.
bobster
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Post by bobster »

To me, your funeral is pretty much your last shot at forcing everyone you know to FINALLY listen to some good music. So, I've considered...

PL&U (except that it's starting to become a cliche selection...might have to switch this something really original, yet also making a similar spiritual/political point. Like...er..."Imagine"...?)

"I Get a Kick out of You" -- probably the Ella Fitz version (it's definitely gotta be a female, so people can appreciate the full wonder of the line "flying too high with some guy in the sky is my idea of nothing to do" as opposed to the far less cool "flying too high with some gal in the sky")

"Where or When" -- recorded by just about anyone...

"Instant Karma" -- Because it's great, and it's true (metaphorically, anyhow), and it's Phil Specter, too.
http://www.forwardtoyesterday.com -- Where "hopelessly dated" is a compliment!
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Tim(e)
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Post by Tim(e) »

Happy Trails
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Post by Copenhagen Fan »

Saint of Circumstance - Greatful Dead
I'd never leave the house if I had a Gimp
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King Hoarse
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Post by King Hoarse »

the Birds Will Still Be Singing sung by Norma Waterson

and on a happier note:

You Can't Always Get What You Want by the Stones (or a boys' choir)
What this world needs is more silly men.
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crash8_durham
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Post by crash8_durham »

Prop me up beside the juke box if I die - Joe Diffy
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so lacklustre
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Post by so lacklustre »

A Good Man Is Hard To Find - Tom Waits
signed with love and vicious kisses
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King Hoarse
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Post by King Hoarse »

(Tom Waits' epitaph: "I told you I was sick")
What this world needs is more silly men.
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oily slick
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Post by oily slick »

there is a graveyard in key west that sports several funny markers and there is one that has just that or perhaps i told "them" i was sick on it.

i always forget all the good ideas i have about the post-me celebration, but if mrs slick bought it, i think i'd play elvis' version of "Days".
I'm not concerned about the very poor.
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Mr. Average
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Post by Mr. Average »

I doubt if anyone will know this, but it is already scheduled...

"The Truth Will Always Be" - Pat Metheny, from the great album entitled "Secret Story"

This is a powerful song that starts out somber and melancholy but blossoms into a soaring, arching, triumphant instrumental that transitions the listener from quiet introspection to hopeful, even exhilarating, thoughts.

At least that what it does for me...
The song is long, so it is a bit of investment, but well worth it.
"The smarter mysteries are hidden in the light" - Jean Giono (1895-1970)
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