What do you want them to play at your funeral?

162 Responses

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  • Jenny Campbell,

    For me - Johnny Cash with 'I Fell in to a Burning Ring of Fire'

    Since Nov 2006 • 1 posts Report

  • Gregor Ronald,

    As a relic of the 60s & 70s;

    "For a Dancer", Jackson Browne;
    "Just do the steps that youve been shown
    By everyone youve ever known
    Until the dance becomes your very own
    No matter how close to yours
    Anothers steps have grown
    In the end there is one dance youll do alone"

    or "Ripple", Grateful Dead;
    "There is a road, no simple highway,
    Between the dawn and the dark of night,
    And if you go no one may follow,
    That path is for your steps alone.

    Ripple in still water,
    When there is no pebble tossed,
    Nor wind to blow."

    A certain thematic resemblance here..

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 103 posts Report

  • MaskedAvatar,

    Jesus Christ.

    The "straitjacket fits" topic elsewhere has crept up on and overtaken this garden of funereal delights. Goths and Emos everywhere will be saddened by that.

    I have added The Dandy Warhols' "Dick" on rotation midway through my service.

    H'Siffaen Shield • Since Nov 2006 • 8 posts Report

  • Di Mackey,

    I heard of a guy who had 'Always Look on the Bright Side of Life' play at his funeral. I kind of liked it.

    Belgium • Since Nov 2006 • 4 posts Report

  • antv,

    i see a darkness , johnny cash & bonie prince billy

    south wairarapa • Since Nov 2006 • 2 posts Report

  • Mike Skinner,

    My mother insisted on...and got...The Goons Ying-Tong song played at her funeral....confused a few of those in attendance!!!

    Since Nov 2006 • 2 posts Report

  • Matthew Wynyard,

    Perhaps 'Can't you hear me knockin' or if it was gender non-specific
    'Ding Dong the witch is dead' from the Wizard of Oz

    Seoul • Since Nov 2006 • 1 posts Report

  • Jackie Clark,

    My mother insisted on...and got...The Goons Ying-Tong song played at her funeral.

    That's brilliant! She must have been an extraordinary character.

    Mt Eden, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 3136 posts Report

  • Matthew Reid,

    My vote is for Spooky - The 3d's.
    I couldn't even feel you breathe
    I think it's time to leave

    Might be a bit literal but it's such a beautiful song.

    South Africa • Since Nov 2006 • 80 posts Report

  • Jon L,

    My ex wife wants "in the Mood", played very badly, on a trumpet!

    Moi?......"Angel of Death"...by Slayer.....

    W.A. • Since Nov 2006 • 3 posts Report

  • Alec Morgan,

    Funeral ceremonies being what they are, even “Louie Louie” would get someone blubbing so definitely go for the lighter touch as a rule.

    A lengthy wake might be satisfying too. The bereaved could thus enjoy the entire contents of the departed ones ipod.

    Tokerau Beach • Since Nov 2006 • 124 posts Report

  • Sarah Nathan,

    Oh, I had this all worked out when I was 14. Everyone was to drink rum & CokeTM, wear grey and pink and listen to some rocking Elton John. Sadly, I still have the written evidence.

    Now that I am much more... erm...sophisticated it will be margaritas ahoy, wall to wall grey and black and Parliament's "Flashlight".

    "Now, I lay me down to sleep
    Ooh, I just can't find a beat
    Flash light (ohh, I will never dance!)"

    Coz it'd be pretty hard not to tap your feet to that one. Feel the guilt - you're supposed to be grieving you bastards!

    In my defence, my fave line is actually the profound and encouraging: "Everybody's got a little light under the sun..."

    Akld • Since Nov 2006 • 12 posts Report

  • 81stcolumn,

    This had me and her in fits of giggles…

    The shortlist:

    Stranglers – No More Heroes (pretentious)
    Depeche Mode – Walking in My Shoes (even worse)
    Primal Scream – Loaded (Cheesy)
    Stranglers – Hanging around (nobody would get the joke)
    Wilson Pickett – I found a love (bit gospel)
    The Jam – The place I love (gushy)
    Captain Sensible – Happy talking (oh dear)
    Hoodoo Gurus – What I like (mmmmm)

    Finally:

    The Banana Splits Theme – All right !

    Nawthshaw • Since Nov 2006 • 790 posts Report

  • Callum Valentine,

    Depending on the way I died, I would probably request Rage Against the Machine "Killing in the Name" or possibly their cover of Maggies Farm, something ironically brilliant in imagining a somber affair covered by Zack screaming "No I aint gunna work on Maggies farm no more!".

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 3 posts Report

  • George Darroch,

    I'd like to go with TrinityRoots' - Little Things. It'd be a nice way to remember a life...

    WLG • Since Nov 2006 • 2264 posts Report

  • Felix Marwick,

    "Will the Last One to Leave Please Turn Out the Enlightenment" - TISM

    It'd be like blowing a complete raspberry at a solemn occasion.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 200 posts Report

  • Juliet Hamill,

    too sad, but - Radiohead - No more laughs and no surprises.
    i want them to CRY

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 2 posts Report

  • Patrick Xavier,

    Crying's important. Preferably uncontrollably, and en masse. So:
    Don McGlashan, This is London; Anchor Me
    Dave Dobbyn, Beside You; Song of the Years (from Baxter)
    Actually, thinking about it, just the last. Here's the verse (James K):

    When from my mother's womb I came
    Disputandum was my name

    Weeping hoping threatening
    Beyond myself I had no king

    I drew in with each hour's breath
    The grey dust of the second death

    When my childhood days were spent
    To Venus I grew suppliant

    Little tremors woke and died
    Within the mountain of my pride

    Singing on the gallows cart
    Created beauty held my heart

    The aardvark and the onager
    Were stabled at my sepulchre

    In that deep den the King of bliss
    Broke my heart and have me His

    'This for your doom and penance take
    Be merry always for My sake'

    He gave me a white stone to bear
    With my true name written there

    Without end I will say
    Laus tibi, Domine!

    Someone needs to remind me, when time comes.

    Since Nov 2006 • 49 posts Report

  • Patrick Xavier,

    And guess what: the track itself is streamable here
    http://www.cdkiwi.co.nz/rams/baxtertk1.ram

    Maybe I could just have a wireless link from my coffin.

    Since Nov 2006 • 49 posts Report

  • Peter Sledmere,

    I'm up for it. If I don't die first, of course. Maybe i could record it for you. Or maybe it's another Peter Sledmere....

    wellington • Since Oct 2008 • 4 posts Report

  • Peter Sledmere,

    Then I'd get Peter Sledmere to recite the whole of 2 Out of Three Ain't Bad, and then the choir comes in with Libera Me from Faure's Requiem. Go from the ridiculous to the sublime, I say

    Sorry, I forgot to put the quote inthe last post. Might make sense now.

    wellington • Since Oct 2008 • 4 posts Report

  • Patrick Xavier,

    Might make sense now

    .

    Yip, thanks.

    Since Nov 2006 • 49 posts Report

  • Steve Barnes,

    There can only be one The Ying Tong song to see a bunch of friends trying to keep a straight face would be worth dying for. ;-)

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    The hole of the moon- The Waterboys
    Sprout and the bean or The book of right-On-Joanna Newsom
    Elvis Presley blues - Gillian Welsh

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report

  • Islander,

    Gah! No, no, no! Steve B, all my mates & a lot of family know all the words to the Ying Tong Song - and their falsettos are *really bad*-

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report

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