One of Britain's top funeral homes reported that more than 40 percent of services included modern music, according to AFP. From the story:
Topping the list of modern songs was crooner Frank Sinatra's signature tune "My Way", followed by Bette Midler's rendition of "Wind Beneath My Wings" and Robbie Williams' "Angels".
Next on the list were Celine Dion's weepie "My Heart Will Go On" and the rousing "Simply the Best" by Tina Turner.
The top three hymns remained unchanged with "The Lord is My Shepherd" at number one, followed by "Abide With Me" and "All Things Bright and Beautiful".
Classical tunes meanwhile accounted for less than five percent of funeral music: "Nimrod" from Edward Elgar's "Enigma Variations" was the firm favourite, followed by Franz Schubert's "Ave Maria" and "Largo" from George Handel's opera "Xerxes".
Funny, but not one of these songs makes the CHATTER 50, the playlist for our wake. For the service, please remember to play "Should I Stay Or Should I Go" by The Clash. Digame!
6 comments:
I always wanted PiL's "The Order of Death" played at mine. John Lydon repeats over and over "This is what you want, this is what you get".
A few years ago at a friend's memorial service (he was cremated), it brought laughter to a room full of grieving people when, as we followed his widow and his urn full of ashes out the door of the funeral home, they played Willie Nelson's version of "All of Me."
"All of me...Why not take all of me? Can't you see...I'm no good without you...."
It was a superb moment, and it spoke beautifully of our late friend's sense of humor.
All the Young Dudes and Rest in Peace, both Mott the Hoople. You remember them, don't ya Red?
Is this concrete all around
Or is it in my head?
I prefer MTH to the Bowie version, don't you?
I've never heard the Bowie version of "All the Young Dudes," although it appears he wrote it. I was never a big fan of Bowie but loved MTH once upon a time. Thinking of the song yesterday reminded me of how seriously emotional everything seems to be when one is 18, 19. Life seems to suck at mid-life, what with bills, kids, wars, pit-bulls, etc. If we could turn back time, would we? P.S. Don't even think of playing Cher's "If we could turn back time" at my funeral. Then again, I'll be doing that valium/beach thing so there should be no funeral. Guess I'll need an Ipod to play MTH on when fading out ...
If you're using an iPod, don't forget the external speakers.
Your "turn back time" line has infected me with Cher and Barbra Streisand. Tell me -- would we? Could we? Thanks a heap, old buddy!
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