Here’s a genius conceit for an album … what song would you like played on your deathbed or at your funeral?
Final song #1 asks some of the world’s most recognized DJs to choose a tune to play at their own funeral or on their deathbed. Not only were the artists asked to choose their final song but also to express their feelings as to why they chose it.
And what a range of selections – from the classical – Gymnopedie – Erik Satie (selected by DJ T.), the punky new wavey with a bit of baroque stone cold classic Golden brown by the Stranglers (selected by DJ Hell), the pertinently titled Is that all there is? by Peggy Lee) (selected by Ewan Pearson) to a bit of Brian Eno - An ending (ascent) (selected by Coldcut).
I think Consummation by Nina Simone would be a beautifully soaring finale. I’m sure some people would rock out with My Way (by Frank Sinatra OR Sid Vicious). What would you pick? A favourite song or one that sums up your philosophy of life?
31 August 2009 at 12:14 pm
Death don’t have no mercy by The Rev Gary Davis would be my pick
31 August 2009 at 1:58 pm
“When I Get Where I’m Going” by Brad Paisley
The song is beautiful, every time I hear it I get teary-eyed thinking of how beautiful Heaven will be.
Here are the lyrics to the song:
“When I get where I’m going,
on the far side of the sky.
The first thing that I’m gonna do
Is spread my wings and fly.
I’m gonna land beside a lion,
and run my fingers through his mane.
Or I might find out what it’s like
To ride a drop of rain.
(Chorus:)
Yeah when I get where I’m going,
there’ll be only happy tears.
I will shed the sins and struggles,
I have carried all these years.
And I’ll leave my heart wide open,
I will love and have no fear.
Yeah when I get where I’m going,
Don’t cry for me down here.
I’m gonna walk with my grandaddy,
and he’ll match me step for step,
and I’ll tell him how I missed him,
every minute since he left.
Then I’ll hug his neck.
(Chorus)
So much pain and so much darkness,
in this world we stumble through.
All these questions, I can’t answer,
so much work to do.
But when I get where I’m going,
and I see my Maker’s face.
I’ll stand forever in the light,
of His amazing grace.
Yeah when I get where I’m going,
Yeah when I get where I’m going,
there’ll be only happy tears.
Hallelujah!
I will love and have no fear.
When I get where I’m going.
Yeah when I get where I’m going.”
Tears in my eyes as I send this comment to you….thinking of running my fingers through a lions mane, riding a drop of rain, hugging my Grandpa and other lost loved-ones again, and seeing God’s face…
I lost the man I loved two years ago to cancer, and many tears have fallen since then. After writing this comment to you, I am now reminded that he truly is in a better place, and no more tears are needed down here for him.
The peace I suddenly feel is overwhelming, and I feel it’s only right that I share that with you. Thank you, without even intending to, you’ve helped in a way to heal my heart. God led me to read your blog, I’m sure of it.
What a blessing…
1 September 2009 at 12:16 pm
What a beautiful comment, thanks for sharing this with us.
That song sounds wonderfully moving (and it reminds me of the song Goin’ Home:
Goin’ home, goin’ home, I’m a goin’ home;
Quiet-like, some still day, I’m jes’ goin’ home.
It’s not far, jes’ close by,
Through an open door;
Work all done, care laid by,
Goin’ to fear no more.
Mother’s there ‘spectin’ me,
Father’s waitin’ too;
Lots o’ folks gather’d there,
All the friends I knew,
All the friends I knew.
Home, I’m goin’ home!
31 August 2009 at 2:35 pm
Ma na ma na by the muppets. Or something boppy by Mr Scruff …
31 August 2009 at 3:04 pm
My mum has specifically requested that we play “Ding dong the witch is dead” from The Wizard of Oz. She wants everybody to have a laugh at her funeral. Apparently she’s not alone either as I read an article not long ago about top funeral songs and that was one of them!
2 September 2009 at 1:19 pm
I’ve always thought a nice one for someone who died ‘before their time’ would be “The Whole of the Moon,” by the Waterboys.
2 September 2009 at 2:46 pm
I’ve made my husband and best friend promise to play The Monster Mash at my funeral, not sure why, I thought it up once and since then I just like the idea more and more…I was working in the lab, late one night…
3 September 2009 at 1:12 am
I've always thought a nice one for someone who died 'before their time' would be "The Whole of the Moon," by the Waterboys.;. All the best!!
3 September 2009 at 5:02 pm
I’ve always fancied the full Mozart Requiem which is not very sensible as I’m not religious and it takes a very long time to get through, but the Dies Irae is particulalry good. In the mix somewhere is Little Feat’s “Willin’” and John Prine’s “Please Don’t Bury Me” and maybe something incomprehensible from Radiohead
3 September 2009 at 5:18 pm
“What now my love” by the original songbird from the valleys Dame Shirley Bassey, that’ll get them sobbing…
4 September 2009 at 9:22 am
I would like to have played Marie Joseph Canteloube’s “Bailero” from “Songs of the Auvergne”. The music depicts the Auvergne region of France under summer skies – a land of skylarks, butterflies and carpets of wild flowers – all in all it is a glorious orchestral landscape picture of the French Countryside & somewhere I would like to be in the afterlife.