Upon My Death... (All Time Best Funeral Songs)

In "Funny People", Judd Apatow's latest movie, there is a funny, and melancholy scene where "Ira", Seth Rogan makes a iTunes song mix for his boss "George", played by Adam Sandler, who is diagnosed with a terminal illness. It got me thinking, if I could DJ my own funeral, what songs would I play. I scanned my own iTunes playlist and came up with the following Top 10 selections:

10) "Keep Me In Your Heart", Warren Zevon

I cribbed this directly from the movie. Zevon wrote the song for his farewell album "The Wind", which was recorded after he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. The best part of this song is the line "keep me in your heart for awhile". It's the "awhile" that gets me. Not "forever". Just "awhile".

9) "Landslide", Dixie Chicks

The Dixie Chicks recorded my favourite cover of this song. It's sweet and sad and it's about lost loves.



8) "Breakdown", Handsome Boy Modeling School

To me, this song is about a business man, riding the commuter train, hoping (praying) that it would breakdown, so he can take some time to smell the roses. I guess we can all relate. It's from "White People" one of the best underground hip hop albums in recent history, and second album performed by Handsome Boy Modeling School, i.e., genius producers Prince Paul and Dan the Automator. Alas the Handsome Boy Modeling School broke up shortly thereafter over money problems, just as they were on the verge of breakout success. How sad.

7) "I Wish You Were Here", Incubus

The title this song may inspire somewhat ghoulish connotations at a funeral, but I like it for two reasons:
a. its a wonderful love song; and b. it rocks! Hard!



6) "Jamaica Farewell", Harry Belafonte

My family emigrated from Jamaica, so this song has special meaning for me. But the key to this song is how the protaganist is so sad about leaving home and that "little girl in Kingston Town", but the sadness doesn't stop him from making the journey. He's saying goodbye, but looking ahead at the same time. To me, that is very powerful and important.



5) "I'll Fly Away", Alison Krause and Gillian Welch

A traditional hymn about earthly death and everlasting glory. Alison Krause and Gillian Welch's arrangement is light, hopeful and exceedingly beautiful.



4) "No Rain" Blind Melon

The song successfully evokes by university years without sounding dated. Plus, added bonus: Bee Girl! Yay!



3) "We're Going to Be Friends", The White Stripes

The song is little kids going to school and making new friends. There is a wonderful innocence and simplicity to this song, and I can think of few better to play at a funeral.



2) "The Wind", Cat Stevens

Great song. Sad, sweet and more importantly, short. Cameron Crowe used it to great effect in his movie "Almost Famous".



1) "Ahead By A Century", The Tragically Hip

Arguably, the best Canadian rock song, and one of Teresa's favourites. This song was the Hip's highest charting single, and is a love song to the best country in the world.



So Readers, do you have songs you would like to play at your funeral? If so, please comment. I am intersted.

AKW