Every time someone brings up the old let's-jerk-ourselves-off question of "What songs do you want played at your funeral?" it invariably makes me sad.
Not sad because I don't like thinking that I will die or that my friends will die, but sad because this conversation makes me realize how so many people seem to listen to songs, cultivate relationships with them, and then apply them poorly to the milestones of their lives.
So many people feel that songs about dying are good to play at your funeral. To me, however, that's when they are least effective.
Any song that reminds you of your own and your friends' impending mortality isn't as effective if you're already thinking about it. And that's exactly the case at funerals.
The same thing happens at weddings.
If your wedding song is "Going to the Chapel" you've missed the point. No matter who you are, when that song comes on, you'll think about your wedding. So if it's your wedding song, you're being redundant.
If, however, your wedding song is "Star 69" then you'll think about your wedding whenever that song plays AND whenever you hear "Going to the Chapel."
And that's better because it's more personal. It's unique. It screams "The love I have is unique and special and therefore it is REAL."
for years my grandpa insisted that "girl from ipanema" be played at his funeral. and it was, sorta - not at the church service, but my grandma hired a guy to come play it (and other favorites) on the piano in her home during some visiting hours. maybe that was a hint at extramarital affairs. maybe he just liked the song. perhaps both.
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