Posted on 10/03/2006 7:44:35 PM PDT by stainlessbanner
LONDON (Reuters) - James Blunt's "Goodbye My Lover" is the song most requested at British funerals and remembrance services, closely followed by Robbie Williams's "Angels," according to a survey released on Monday.
Research for the Bereavement Register found just over a half (51 percent) of people ask for a specific song be played at their funeral and 79 percent have talked with family and friends about possible song choices. The survey of 5,000 people also uncovered some unusual final choices for the final goodbye with rock songs like "I'll Sleep When I am Dead" by Bon Jovi, competing with classical tracks and soul.
"The top 20 really shows how far we have come in terms of saying goodbye. Gone are the days dirges of yore, instead we are seeing contemporary music that is easier to relate to," said Mark Roy, founder of the Bereavement Register, which removes the names and addresses of people who have died from databases to reduce junk mail.
"Everyone has a favorite song that means something very special to them, often connected to a particular time and place. When the song is played this can be a very emotive reminder of that person," he said in a statement.
Although fashions change there have been some consistent favorites over recent years like "Wind Beneath My Wings" at number four and "Candle In The Wind" -- a reworked version of which played at Princess Diana's funeral in 1997 -- which was at number six.
Many of the songs represented the different ages of the deceased.
Songs like "Danny Boy" (number 11 in the list) tended to be played at the funerals of the elderly while S Club 7's "Reach For The Stars" (number 20) was more usual at children's funerals, the survey showed.
Others in the top 20 included "Knocking On Heaven's Door" by Bob Dylan and, perhaps unexpectedly, Fame's "I Want To Live Forever."
The top 10 requested songs were:
1 - "Goodbye My Lover" - James Blunt
2 - "Angels" - Robbie Williams
3 - "I've Had The Time Of My Life" - Jennifer Warnes and Bill Medley.
4 - "Wind Beneath My Wings" - Bette Midler
5 - "Pie Jesu" - Requiem
6 - "Candle In The Wind" - Elton John
7 - "With Or Without You" - U2
8 - "Tears In Heaven" - Eric Clapton
9 - "Every Breath You Take - The Police
10 -"Unchained Melody" - Righteous Brothers.
???? Huh?
No "Funeral For A Friend" by Elton John?
For my funeral I'm ordering up "Enter the Sandman" and at the end I'm gonna have a spring mechanism make me sit up in the coffin. I just want to make my relatives pee their pants one more time.
She had mostly gospels songs played but the "finale" was "You saw me crying in the chapel."
I'll sleep when I'm dead, Bon Jovi??
That song is by Warren Zevon, is it not?
Probably the "I'll be watching you" line confuses them. They think it's about someone watching over them but it's about someone obsessed with someon else.
I was about to suggest that myself, any rendition. It's a beautiful song, and perfect for a funeral.
Well I looked at the sea, seemed to say I took your baby from you away I heard a voice cry in the deep Come join me baby in my endless sleep
The cannons would be a nice touch. Fire!
My pic is...
Joe Walsh- Life's Been Good to Me So Far!!!
want it on my tombstone too!
;-)
Hah!
Sorry, honey! Just for you, I'm gonna show up and play "Muskrat Love"....
My vote:
"Somewhere Down the Road" by Amy Grant
From the rock world I think "To Live Is To Die" or "Fade To Black" by Metallica would be great funeral songs.
Take me down little Susie, take me down I know you think youre the queen of the underground And you can send me dead flowers every morning Send me dead flowers by the mail Send me dead flowers to my wedding And I wont forget to put roses on your grave
I was just at a funeral last weekend - the song played was "Knock knock knocking on Heaven's Door". Don't remember who does that song but it was very moving.
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