What Recording Would You Like Played At Your Funeral?

It's not as morbid a question as it may seem.
Reportedly, it's one of the most often specified items in a person's burial instructions.

I'd start off with
Jackie Moore/THIS TIME BABY [1979].
I've gotten up to dance to this one even in the worst of circumstances.

And end with
The Marvelettes/THIS NIGHT [[aka TONIGHT) WAS MADE FOR LOVE [1967].
The Marvelettes with Gladys Horton on lead here, accompanied by The Funk Bros. and, I presume, a sprinkling of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra's strings, and sweetened to perfection by the celestial voices of The Andantes. As I cha-cha my way out.

Wow, this is a tough one Methuselah. I need to think on it.

Lorraine Ellison - I Dig You Baby

"Is That All There Is?" by Peggy Lee......God, I must be in a depressed mood!

I have to think about this one. I'm thinking about "Golden Time of Day" by Maze, for one. Another would be Annie Lennox's "Into the West", but I really don't want people to cry at my funeral and that song makes me cry in the best of times; so maybe not. But I have to come up with the definitive list.

Happy choice -
Prop Me Up Beside The Jukebox [[If I Die) - Joe Diffie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCiKxjZTa2I

Sad choice -
This link has two versions together, one by the Bee Gees [[who wrote it) and Percy Sledge [[the version I want)
A Lonely Violin - Percy Sledge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcFWcB9Z7Dw

Or -
Vincent by Don McLean -
And though this one refers to a suicide, the words are nevertheless very touching "this world was never meant for one as beautiful as you." Lover of nature that I am, the song fits.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dipFMJckZOM

Oldies

"Someday We'll Be Together" [[the version that opens with the tambourine) - Diana/Supremes

Many years ago I attended a funeral where "Somewhere" by Barbra Streisand and "From A Distance" by Bette Midler were played. It was actually a very touching moment.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sophisticated_soul

"Someday We'll Be Together" [[the version that opens with the tambourine) - Diana/Supremes

Many years ago I attended a funeral where "Somewhere" by Barbra Streisand and "From A Distance" by Bette Midler were played. It was actually a very touching moment.

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Wait a second, Sophisticated Soul. Just one second. No Etta James' AT LAST? Somebody open up that casket. Quick! I don't think he's in there!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Methuselah2

Wait a second, Sophisticated Soul. Just one second. No Etta James' AT LAST? Somebody open up that casket. Quick! I don't think he's in there!

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LOL! I do love my Etta, but Diana is my #1. I honestly don't know what song I would have played because I don't want a funeral. I'm going to be cremated and scattered at sea. So maybe "Sea Cruise"?:)

I'm with you! Like the song says: "Ooo-wee, ooo-wee baby!" Words to live by . . . er, whatever.

Being serious, unlike my last submission, I would choose "Reach Out I'll Be There". I would like my relatives and friends to take strength from the thought that I was giving them what help I could from beyond the grave.

Then I'll be hoping you took your credit card with you.....:)

As for the recording I'd like played at my own funeral, I'll have whatever Berry Gordy has....

I have ledt instructions for my family to play all 60s, 70s, and early 80s music from my collection. I don't want any of that slow, sad crap. I want people to party!

I haven’t given it much thought. Maybe “Dead Souls” by Joy Division?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhEm4S-4v_U

What is the thing with soulful detroit members death and funrals

Many years ago, I attended a cremation and it was really a sad event. Suddenly, out booms Shirley Bassey's "Hey Big Spender"!! It was just so NOT RIGHT. I made a hasty exit as soon as I could.

I would want "Reflections" - the song has lived with me since 1967 and I want my original 45 buried with me.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Shaqueetha_Jackson

What is the thing with soulful detroit members death and funrals

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They're all realizing their mortality.:D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Shaqueetha_Jackson

What is the thing with soulful detroit members death and funrals

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There is no reason why death and funerals should be a tabu subject.

It shouldn’t be taboo, but there are some members here who seem to get off on death and funerals.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by theboyfromxtown

Many years ago, I attended a cremation and it was really a sad event. Suddenly, out booms Shirley Bassey's "Hey Big Spender"!! It was just so NOT RIGHT. I made a hasty exit as soon as I could.

I would want "Reflections" - the song has lived with me since 1967 and I want my original 45 buried with me.

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Maybe your friend requested the song? It’s certainly an odd request. Did your friend enjoy performing mindfucks in his life? Maybe that’s why Hey Big Spender was played? It certainly made for an interesting and memorable service.

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Originally Posted by Shaqueetha_Jackson

What is the thing with soulful detroit members death and funrals

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Tis a fact of life.....those funrals.

There's always the possibility that a particular recording gets played simply because the deceased liked it, wanted it, or even maybe someone thought the deceased would have loved that it was played. Maybe no subliminal message attached at all. Sort of "When I go, it's comin' with me." Simply because it meant something to that particular person. But who knows for certain? I know I wouldn't like to hear something played that I knew the deceased would never have approved of.

"Someone To Watch Over Me" ~ Jimmy Scott
"Heaven" ~ Jimmy Scott
"Take My Hand, Oh Precious Lord" ~ Jimmy Scott
"My Buddy" ~ Jackie Wilson
"Danny Boy" ~ Jackie Wilson

S.S.
***

On the same subject
My beautiful wife, Cecilia Rose,
passed away April 16, 2012.
Her last words on earth were said to me.
thank you Gladys Knight
Her last words were
"You're the best thing that
ever happened to me."

WOW

edafan

That's beautiful, edafan.

Really sweet and touching, edafan.

I'm sure she is watching over you.

S.S.
***

Thanks everyone
especially Ralph and Soul Sister

A couple of other songs I play alot

Traces by Dennis Yost and the Classics IV
but I change the line into
"Traces of Love long ago that DID work out right."
and
Frank Sinatra's
"Softly As I Leave You."
2 other stories around her last day on earth.
After she passed at 3:20 pm,
everyone left the room.
The last person out said to me,
"You don't want to stay"
to which I replied,
"Oh Yes I do"
The funeral director came.
I stepped out into the hallway.
He brought her out in the body bag.
I said to him
"Where is her head?" He pointed.
I held her head all the way down those 3 corridors
until we put her into the hearse.
My son, my daughter and I gave her an honor guard,
which she rightly deserved for all she did for us.
My neighbor lowered his american flag to
half mast for 2 days in her honor. She tutored his daughter
for a year for no pay just to help her.

edafan

Whoa,what the 411 is this about????well knowing me i'll be too drunk to attend!!!

HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!
Some things never change around here! ;)

Wasssup D.C.'s "R & B"?!

S.S.
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Hey sis,it's so nice to have you home,how's jimmy? I'm still around[ralph let's me sleep it off out back,hehehe]glad you're home sis!!!

Thank you, R & B, Nice to see you & my other old friends here.
Jimmy is fine, thanks. Preparing for a new CD in the near future and enjoying our Las Vegas weather.

You're stil a riot, R & B....I'm sure Ralph will let you chillax it off. :D

Have a great day,
S.S.
***

Are you kidding, S.S.? I've learned to step around him with barely skipping a beat.

:cool: tee heee---Ralph!

S.S.
***

Just play my iPod on shuffle...it's one of those that holds 40,000 songs. I have over 7,000 on it now and I'm still adding music.

I went to the funeral of a family friend a few years back, and they were playing Croatian music at the funeral over a boombox. I thought that was pretty neat.

Best,

Mark