The Musings Of Mike

Just to alleviate fears, I am not planning anything stupid. I know it’s a morbid topic so I am now going to shimmy through the list as quickly as possible. This means only two posts on the subject, yah! I also realise that 10 songs is alot for a funeral. The truth is it was only supposed to be 5 and then friends, families and the girlfriend could fight and bicker over which ones to use. I am not planning a funeral tour, however fun that would be. I could be the most traveled dead body. Anyway, the list awaits below:

1. Pink Floyd - Shine On You Crazy Diamond (All names will be linked to their videos on YouTube)
(The video is almost 9 minutes long, so I recommend you start at 7:14. Also the video is from a live concert to give you a sense of what their concerts were like. Absolutely amazing)
Slow and masterful, but it’s really the lyrics that made me pick it as number 1. Even though I’m dead, I would like people to think of me carrying on up in heaven (or hell), living life like the crazy fool I am.

Remember when you were young, you shone like the sun.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
Now there’s a look in your eyes, like black holes in the sky.
Shine on you crazy diamond.

2. Tenacious D - Tribute (Name linked again)
I guess it wouldn’t be right without the party piece, no matter how out of place it would seem.

My karaoke version of Tribute

3. Otis Redding - Dock Of A Bay (It’s a nice version)
Slow, simple, great for a funeral. In a way it’s how I would like to imagine life after death.

Sittin here resting my bones
And this loneliness won’t leave me alone
It’s two thousand miles I roamed
Just to make this dock my home

4. Blondie - One Way Or Another (You got the idea yet)
I like the fact that it would scare all those enemies that decided to turn up. Let’s face it would funny to see them shit themselves.

One way or another I’m gonna find ya
I’m gonna getcha getcha getcha getcha

5. Frank Sinatra - I Did It My Way (Filled with pictures of Frank Sinatra)
Probably the most overused song at funerals, but that’s because the lyrics are perfect. It comes in at number 5 solely for that reason and is only to be used if not already used at someone elses funeral. I always think it is likely to remind people of someone else who had the song played at their funeral.

And now, the end is near,
And so I face the final curtain.
My friends, I’ll say it clear;
I’ll state my case of which I’m certain.

I’ve lived a life that’s full -
I’ve travelled each and every highway.
And more, much more than this,
I did it my way.

6. Lou Reed & The Velvet Underground - Perfect Day (Nice picture of a sunset for the video)
Again, I think the slow and simple melody suits a funeral environment. I mainly like the fact that this song has and always will sound so ironic to me. The slow tempo and simplicity would suggest anything but a ‘perfect day’, hence my reason for it coming in ay number 6.

Just a perfect day,
Problems all left alone,
Weekenders on our own.
It’s such fun.
Just a perfect day,
You made me forget myself.
I thought I was someone else,
Someone good.

Oh it’s such a perfect day,
I’m glad I spent it with you.

7. Thunderbirds Theme Tune (The version from the credits of the 1996 Thunderbirds movie)
This is mainly for comical purposes only. I couls just see my coffin being taken away to this music. I guess it would sound like I was in the army or something but it’s purely for my love of Thunderbirds as a kid.

8. Mitch Miller Band - Show Me The Way To Go Home (Now I couldn’t find the version I like on YouTube, so I’ve settled with another one)
The song is an old drinking song, believed to have orginated in England, but I’ve really only ever heard it sung in Ireland. I like it because, let’s face it, I like my drink and what better to send me out with a drinking with “Show Me The Way To Go Home” in the lyrics.

Show me the way to go home
I’m tired and I want to go to bed
I had a little drink about an hour ago
And it went right to my head
Where ever I may roam
On land or sea or foam
You will always hear me singing this song
Show me the way to go home

9. Green Day - Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life) (It’s a bad quality vid, but I’m not searching around for another one)
It has to be the accoustic version, otherwise I don’t want it. Again, it’s the simple and slow melody combined with such emotive lyrics. It would represent my life and how I have enjoyed it so far, no matter what.

Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road
Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go
So make the best of this test, and don’t ask why
It’s not a question, but a lesson learned in time

It’s something unpredictable, but in the end it’s right.
I hope you had the time of your life.

10. Muse - Starlight

I already did this one here.