There was a thought-provoking piece on NPR this morning about the rising popularity of “non-religious” songs being chosen for funerals. Interestingly, the song at the top of the list was Sinatra’s “My Way”. Here are the lyrics:
My Way
And now, the end is near;
And so I face the final curtain.
My friend, Ill say it clear,
Ill state my case, of which Im certain.
Ive lived a life thats full.
Ive traveled each and every highway;
And more, much more than this,
I did it my way.
Regrets, Ive had a few;
But then again, too few to mention.
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption.
I planned each charted course;
Each careful step along the byway,
But more, much more than this,
I did it my way.
Yes, there were times, Im sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew.
But through it all, when there was doubt,
I ate it up and spit it out.
I faced it all and I stood tall;
And did it my way.
Ive loved, Ive laughed and cried.
Ive had my fill; my share of losing.
And now, as tears subside,
I find it all so amusing.
To think I did all that;
And may I say – not in a shy way,
No, oh no not me,
I did it my way.
For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has naught.
To say the things he truly feels;
And not the words of one who kneels.
The record shows I took the blows –
And did it my way!This is not at all a commentary on Sinatra himself, but the thought of this song playing at the end of someone’s life (especially the last stanza) is more than a little depressing to me. The thought of rocking out to some savory “non-religious” tunes at my funeral, however, is a fine thought indeed!
So I’m just wondering if anyone has any good suggestions for a song that celebrates Love or resurrection, rather than my unfortunate legacy of “doing it my way”. For me I’m thinking something by my hero, Billy Joel. And since he seldom writes any songs that relate to anything I believe in, I think I’d go with “Only The Good Die Young” because it would be funny (at any age) or “Movin’ Out” just because it’s an awesome song. Unfortunately, “River of Dreams” (which may actually be about resurrection) is kinda lame. Forgive me Billy.
COMMENTS
11 responses to “How To Make A Funeral More Depressing”
Leave a Reply
Every time my wife hear “Spirit in The Sky” we think it would be a great funeral song. I’m sure if I think about it I could come up with more.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umMHH7Wi9zU
sting consider me gone,,,
oh, you meant more positive…how about my sweet lord…
http://gratiafied.blogspot.com/2009/01/my-sweet-lord.html
Brilliant post, Ross.
The thought of someone wanting to have “Highway to Hell” played at their funeral just blows my mind.
Why not choose something from Rocky Horror Picture Show? That may sound ridiculous, but it’s no more or less fitting than any of the top 5 from the article. Perhaps everyone could do the Timewarp at my funeral.
After all, it’s just a jump to the left…
my gut says Novemeber Rain… but my mind says Estranged…
I prefer the Hendrix version and can see it used in a “Big Chill” kind of way.
All Along The Watchtower
“There must be some way out of here,” said the joker to the thief,
“There’s too much confusion, I can’t get no relief.
Businessmen, they drink my wine, plowmen dig my earth,
None of them along the line know what any of it is worth.”
“No reason to get excited,” the thief, he kindly spoke,
“There are many here among us who feel that life is but a joke.
But you and I, we’ve been through that, and this is not our fate,
So let us not talk falsely now, the hour is getting late.”
All along the watchtower, princes kept the view
While all the women came and went, barefoot servants, too.
Outside in the distance a wildcat did growl,
Two riders were approaching, the wind began to howl.
“Dreadful Selfish Crime”.
http://www.divshare.com/download/7128488-f22
Paul Westerberg once said that he wants “If You Could Read My Mind” by Gordon Lightfoot played at his funeral. It fits.
These are great! I hadn’t thought of Sting. While I love The Police, I think I’m the only person I know who shamelessly likes Sting even more. Okay, maybe I feel a tiny bit of shame about it, but still.
I think I have a new one now: “Joy” by Jagger and Bono. And of course I’d want them to be there to perform it. And Jesus could be there too, lighting cigarettes and saying “Jump for joy!”
For a serious song that isn’t Christian, I’ve always loved Colin Hay’s Waiting For My Real Life To Begin.
Waiting For My Real Life To BeginBut I like the thought of everyone rocking out to something like Thriller.
Is that the guy from Men At Work? That’s a funny band to remember. GREAT song. I hadn’t heard it!