Please play this song for me
Sitting there listening to a song chosen by Ntathu (http://yogainspires NULL.co NULL.uk/) brought back happy memories of a friend’s funeral. Yes it was sad saying goodbye to a dear friend taken far too soon, but because Malcolm was the one of the best, he made sure we remembered him with a smile in out hearts.
It also helped us remember the good times that we’d all shared with him at one time or another. Always laughing, the one that sticks in my mind was when he’d just filled his plate with food. Turning to walk away someone asked him the time. He turned his wrist and there he stood, wearing his food on the outside rather than inside.
And then he started to laugh, followed by me, followed by someone else and so on. Before we knew it we were all laughing. Maybe you had to be there.
Losing family and friends is so hard. My sister was another of the best. She lived with cancer for the last 11 years, but you’d never have guessed. At her funeral they played REM’s Everybody Hurts, which was so depressing that even today 11 years later it stills brings me down when I hear it.
Nobody thought to ask if she had a favourite song, but I’m betting Ntathu’s ‘Don’t Worry, Be Happy’ (http://www NULL.youtube NULL.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=yHFDa9efCQU) would have been high on the list.
Music can be such a powerful force over your feelings. It can raise you up and just as easily pull you down. It can caress you as well as repulse you. It simply gets under your skin as you listen, spellbound.
Playing music that you love, that gives you a natural high has to be considered when looking to raise your Inner Well Being. Simply sitting and let it wash over you can work miracles. But not if you choose tunes that you feel match your mood when you’re down. That will take you even lower!
I don’t know about you, but when I go, I’d rather leave happy, even quirky memories, so here’s a few of my favourites.
I’m very fond of Jay McShann’s ‘Just a Lucky So and So’, to remind everyone of how great life is. This would be my first choice. Boo hoo, I couldn’t find it on Youtube. I did find a wonderful version by Dianne Reeves – enoy!
I also like Dionne Warwicks ‘That’s What Friends Are For’ and the message that I’m still around.
It might be a little over the top – but hey it’s my funeral
Lastly, I love Macy Grey’s ‘The Letter’ because it’s a little bit wacky and well, just because I love it.
Three songs just for starters. What would you like to be remembered by?
6 Responses to “Please play this song for me”
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Jan, what a heartfelt post..thank you for sharing and reminding me how precious life is how much I take for granted. Music fills my life and there are so many songs which hold tender and precious memories. At my brother’s funeral we played “Three little birds” by Bob Marley..I left the church feeling held and secure and to this day..whenever teas and sorrow threaten to overwhelm me I can be still and remember how I felt on hearing that tune. Yes..precious memories. Thanks for sharing.
ntathu, thank you for sharing your brother’s song too. I love Bob Marley’s Legend album and the song ‘Three Little Birds’. Music is magic, no contest.
Oh come on, Jan! These are three great songs but you are going to have to pick just one, otherwise we are going to be at your funeral for AGES! Still, you’ve got another 50 years to choose it at least, haven’t you? J
Only one – I want them rocking down the aisles and I want to go up to the stars in a big firework. In 50 years I might not remember as Dementia gallops in the family, both sides!
awesome list by the way..
Your mention of “Everybody Hurts” being played at your sister’s funeral reminded me of a song that was played at a dear friend’s funeral who took his own life 10 years ago. It was Coldplay’s “Trouble” and the song goes, “I never meant to cause you trouble, I never meant to make you cry”. I still can’t hear it without thinking of him and the song will always be connected to that event. best, Sally