# You get 5-10 songs played at your funeral, what would they be **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 22, 2017, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-get-5-10-songs-played-at-your-funeral-what-would-they-be/777887 "2017-01-22T22:41:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Bookkeeper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bookkeeper/32/281_2.png) [@Bookkeeper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bookkeeper)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2017, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-get-5-10-songs-played-at-your-funeral-what-would-they-be/777887/41 "2017-01-26T00:38:48Z")
Atheist, so only a wake for me, and the only piece I have requested is Steeleye Span’s “[The Song Will Remain](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mw6T8RP3Ed4)”. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2017, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-get-5-10-songs-played-at-your-funeral-what-would-they-be/777887/42 "2017-01-26T01:28:07Z")
My only request is that there be bagpipes. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2017, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-get-5-10-songs-played-at-your-funeral-what-would-they-be/777887/43 "2017-01-26T01:49:52Z")
Oh, go ahead and play just anything! I won’t raise a fuss… ---
**Author:** ![GinoC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f4b2a3/32.png) [@GinoC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GinoC)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2017, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-get-5-10-songs-played-at-your-funeral-what-would-they-be/777887/44 "2017-01-26T03:06:29Z")
I Vow to Thee My Country Brothers in Arms ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2017, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-get-5-10-songs-played-at-your-funeral-what-would-they-be/777887/45 "2017-01-26T03:14:59Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > Play _Mountain Jam_ 10 times in a row. Nobody gets nothin’ if they leave early. I hear ya! For me, five different live versions of The Grateful Dead’s “China Cat Sunflower” \> “Know You Rider.” (At my old man’s memorial service in 2001, I played “Box of Rain” (which Phil Lesh wrote for HIS ol’ pappy after he died) on the pipe organ as the people filed into the church.) ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2017, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-get-5-10-songs-played-at-your-funeral-what-would-they-be/777887/46 "2017-01-26T03:41:07Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > My only request is that there be bagpipes. Playing Hava Nagila for all the Python fans in attendance? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2017, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-get-5-10-songs-played-at-your-funeral-what-would-they-be/777887/47 "2017-01-26T11:52:01Z")
Shelleyan Orphan’s [The Silent Day](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwNKGPE9hLE) Joy Division’s [The Eternal](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcKGqgwLzjA) Dead Can Dance’s [As The Bell Rings The Maypole Spins](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcD0kUyYozY) Kristin Hersh’s [Your Ghost](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfW4-nP2G1Q) The The’s [Love Is Stronger Than Death](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lo0cZRaZs6c) The B-52s - either [Planet Claire](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VujxeH8uK_Q) or [Rock Lobster](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4QSYx4wVQg) And to end off, Bauhaus’[Bela Lugosi’s Dead](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKRJfIPiJGY) ---
**Author:** ![PAjoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pajoe/32/58_2.png) [@PAjoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PAjoe)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2017, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-get-5-10-songs-played-at-your-funeral-what-would-they-be/777887/48 "2017-01-26T14:59:58Z")
I Shall be Released - The Band Goin’ Down the Road Feelin’ Bad - Grateful Dead ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2017, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-get-5-10-songs-played-at-your-funeral-what-would-they-be/777887/49 "2017-01-26T15:11:21Z")
Any song with “carry on” in the lyrics. Especially Styx’s “Come Sail Away,” with its references to virgin “C”, search, free, “happily ever after the story’s told, but somehow we missed out on the pot of gold” and the River Styx reference. ---
**Author:** ![up\_the\_junction](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f1d935/32.png) [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2017, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-get-5-10-songs-played-at-your-funeral-what-would-they-be/777887/50 "2017-01-26T15:30:16Z")
For the pre-hanging around: [Desperado](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDNtqy0zjJA) and (live) [Thunder Road](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvfFuASYgfM) For when the flames start up: [Tomorrow Never Knows](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UjvdZm-Tu8) Exit\_ dunno, maybe [Sarah McLachlan](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SiylvmFI_8) ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2017, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-get-5-10-songs-played-at-your-funeral-what-would-they-be/777887/51 "2017-01-26T17:42:43Z")
California Dreamin’ - The Mamas and the Papas Under the Bridge - Red Hot Chili Peppers (don’t listen too closely to the lyrics, I like the music and the way it builds) ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2017, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-get-5-10-songs-played-at-your-funeral-what-would-they-be/777887/52 "2017-01-26T18:06:54Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > My only request is that there be bagpipes. Now there’s an idea! Pass them out to all the guests like party favors and compel everyone to try to play simultaneously - it will be called my death bedlam! ---
**Author:** ![Francis\_Vaughan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/francis_vaughan/32/3093_2.png) [@Francis\_Vaughan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Francis_Vaughan)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2017, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-get-5-10-songs-played-at-your-funeral-what-would-they-be/777887/53 "2017-01-28T12:31:53Z")
5? Perhaps as background music. You only need one. Wagner - [Siegfried’s funeral march](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8wHteSOwW4) The trick is to lead a life that would justify such music. Best music for a funeral I attended was hiring a quartet of musicians from the local symphony orchestra - they played much Bach. I will say that choice of music at funerals is a two edged sword. There are pieces of music I can no longer listen to because they were played at the funerals of people close to me that died tragically and too early. It is impossible to wipe the association, no matter how much you enjoyed the music before. ---
**Author:** ![wanderer2575](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/2acd7d/32.png) [@wanderer2575](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wanderer2575)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2017, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-get-5-10-songs-played-at-your-funeral-what-would-they-be/777887/54 "2017-01-28T14:53:07Z")
“Old and Wise” by The Alan Parsons Project. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/-4HI1_LTWIk/maxresdefault.jpg "Alan Parsons Project - "Old and Wise" - Lyrics on screen") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4HI1_LTWIk) ---
**Author:** ![tiescore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@tiescore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiescore)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2017, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-get-5-10-songs-played-at-your-funeral-what-would-they-be/777887/55 "2017-02-01T17:17:58Z")
Prop Me up beside the Jukebox Well I ain’t afraid of dying it’s the thought of being dead I want to go on being me once my eulogy’s been read Don’t spread my ashes out to sea don’t lay me down to rest You can put my mind at ease if you fill my last request Prop me up beside the jukebox if I die Lord I want to go to heaven but I don’t want to go tonight Fill my boots up with sand put a stiff drink in my hand Prop me up beside the jukebox if I die Just let my headstone be a neon sign Just let it burn in mem’ry of all of my good times Fix me up with a mannequin just remember I like blondes I’ll be the life of the party even when I’m dead and gone ---
**Author:** ![lisiate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f05b48/32.png) [@lisiate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisiate)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2017, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-get-5-10-songs-played-at-your-funeral-what-would-they-be/777887/56 "2017-02-02T01:12:04Z")
> [@Francis\_Vaughan](#): > > 5? Perhaps as background music. > > You only need one. > > Wagner - [Siegfried’s funeral march](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8wHteSOwW4) > > The trick is to lead a life that would justify such music. > > Best music for a funeral I attended was hiring a quartet of musicians from the local symphony orchestra - they played much Bach. > > I will say that choice of music at funerals is a two edged sword. There are pieces of music I can no longer listen to because they were played at the funerals of people close to me that died tragically and too early. It is impossible to wipe the association, no matter how much you enjoyed the music before. And you better warn your executor in advance to book a place large enough to house the full orchestra. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2017, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-get-5-10-songs-played-at-your-funeral-what-would-they-be/777887/57 "2017-02-07T02:16:16Z")
> [@Arrendajo](#): > > Surprise me. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/ab5PBS32LtY/hqdefault.jpg "The Song That Doesn't End!") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ab5PBS32LtY) ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2017, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-get-5-10-songs-played-at-your-funeral-what-would-they-be/777887/58 "2017-02-07T03:55:25Z")
I’ve asked my family to play these three when I go: Let there be love by Nat King Cole Into the West by Annie Lennox Lucky man by Alison Krauss ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2017, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-get-5-10-songs-played-at-your-funeral-what-would-they-be/777887/59 "2017-02-07T06:14:41Z")
**Son Of Mr. Green Genes**. Frank Zappa & Ian Underwood. Not that I’d want a funeral per se, much less be around to give a shit. But SOMGG has been my go-to audio comfort food “centering” music for 45 years. ---
**Author:** ![6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/6/e19adc/32.png) [@6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2017, 9:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-get-5-10-songs-played-at-your-funeral-what-would-they-be/777887/60 "2017-02-07T09:18:21Z")
…and not necessarily in this order: [Golden Crown](http://hhhhappy.com/king-tide/) King Tide [Blister in the Sun](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ra8VTlXVqUQ) Violent Femmes [Heaven](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bKW7JkHKm8) Talking Heads [This Must Be The Place](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HldHtBxNK6k) Talking Heads [Prisencolinensinainciusol](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kj5TL1l9QYQ&list=RDKj5TL1l9QYQ#t=5) Adriano Celentano [Original Prankster](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iF95J6D6hK0&index=8&list=PL_5iwaOU26wui4mM8yWRw8TW3EvfPpQ8G) The Offspring All in celebration of my wonderfilled, dance-lovin’ life, folks! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-get-5-10-songs-played-at-your-funeral-what-would-they-be/777887.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-get-5-10-songs-played-at-your-funeral-what-would-they-be/777887.md?page=4)