What music would you want to be played at your funeral?

Bertie Norman posted:

Beethoven String Quartet No 15 in A minor Op 132 - Slow movement played by the Busch Quartet - no prayers or anything else; just the music

BN

I have this recording and was prompted by your post to listen to it again in the context of a funeral. In isolation that third movement will certainly have an emotional impact - as if the mourners won't be sad enough already! Superb choice though.

This is what differentiates the Busch Quartet recordings.

Ponty posted:

The Smiths - Heaven knows I'm miserable now

there is a light that never goes out...

Not really what I want played at mine, but in the vein of this thread, try 'The Suit' by Jerry Douglas. Vocals (and IMO one of his finest moments of many) by James Taylor. On the album 'Look out for Hope':

I'm going to die?

Effective resurrection music, what else?

The Sky is Crying by Elmore James.

Punishment for anybody not in floods of tears will be to accompany me on the conveyor belt.

I'm sure my Mom would not approve but how about 

Drivin N Crying-Straight to Hell

AC/DC-Highway to Hell

Metallica-Fade to Black

or keep it light with 

Elvis-Amazing Grace

Going Underground ~ The Jam

I want a polka band playing all the old favorites.

Thinking about it more after sad loss of my brother and I think Sandy Denny- Who Knows Where the Times Goes.

For me it would be "What have I done to deserve this?" featuring the late great Dusty Springfield by the Pet Shop Boys or "Heaven knows I'm miserable now" by The Smiths. I had the Smiths song played at my wedding and it went down rather well.

No lyrics for me.

Arvo Part: Fur Alina

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4yEtOwRXEM

Flamenco Sketches - Miles Davis

When it's my time - Imelda May

If I couldn't have effective Resurrection music then no music at all - I wouldn't want to drown out the cries of grief, wails of woe, and sobs of lamentation!

Not sure about the complete soundtrack, and hopefully won't have to worry about it for a while, but will end on this number.

Piece Of Sky- The Wonder Stuff

Gloomy Sunday- The Associates 

Goodnight Irene- Various versions

Hope it's not for a very long time though !

On the way in, "Welcome Back My Friends To The Show That Never Ends",  Emerson, Lake & Palmer

"Fire", Crazy World Of Arthur Brown as the coffin goes into the oven.

"Ramble On" by the Mighty Zep (although I tip my hat to the earlier suggestion of " Another One Bites The Dust" by Queen!)

Tough one......  probably "Days of Future Passed" but maybe "Atom Heart Mother".

Both Sides Now - Joni Mitchell and Solveigs Cradle Song - Solveig Kringleborn.

Richard Morris posted:

I've had to select funeral music on two occasions - in both cases the deceased left no wishes. No idea what I'd like.

 

This is why I think leaving a playlist is a good idea. One of my uncles was a man of exceedingly broad tastes - amongst other things introduced me to Dusseldorf and to Gamelan music ( in the context of Britten's War Requiem). Yet when he died the music at his funeral was so anodyne - his widow, who hadn't shared his interests in music, just picked something "nice". I felt that a opportunity to capture an aspect of his his character was lost.

Good point Bluebeard.

I have been commenting on various tracks as favourable for my funeral to my loved ones for over twenty years of.  I suspect it has fallen on deaf ears though and am resigned to some MOR pap.

Ray

A friend told me his aunt (who was a bit of a child of the 60s) had "When the music's over" played at her funeral. I think that is rather fabulous.

Having Jim belt out "Cancel my subscription to the resurrection"

Hard to beat.

https://youtu.be/irUHKcc23kI

Mr Tambourine Man.