Classic Rock suggestions for a funeral...

[YellowRubberDuckie]

My sister in law's dad passed away this week...No one's sure how. He was dead a week they found him at the house. His wife was vacationing in Hawaii because he had just gotten out of the hospital due to an ulcer. According to the coroner, there was nothing physically wrong with him at his death, so they're doing toxicoligy tests right now.
She wants to play classic rock songs at his funeral, and is looking for some appropriate suggestions. You guys have any? Thanks.
Duckie

[mzteris]

1. This is what I want played at mine

Dust in the Wind

here's a link to a site that plays it: http://ladynwavsone.com/dustinthewind.html

[TK421]

12. This song pretty much says it all, doesn't it?

I would consider it for my cremation/funeral

[Broken_Hero]

2. hmmm

like slow classic rock, or just any classic rock song in general? Sorry to hear about your SIL's loss...:(

[YellowRubberDuckie]

4. Something appropriate for a funeral.

[XNASA]

3. I guess the obvious one is.....

"Don't Fear the Reaper".

[skygazer]

5. Wish You Were Here

Free Bird
Stairway To Heaven

All pretty obvious but what the heck. That's a sad situation - bummer for the family.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

7. Yeah, I've known her and her family for most of my life...

We just happened to find brothers. She's been a friend forever, and it's just so sad.
Duckie

[Mz Pip]

6. How sad for your family

What did he like would be the logical question.

Classic rock songs that I would play at my funeral:

Moody Blues: Ride My See Saw, Tuesday Afternoon, Nights in White Satin.


Jim Croce, Time in Bottle

Denean - Angels Calling Me -It's not really classic rock but moving nontheless.

Beatles - Imagine, Elenore Rigby, there are probably lots of Beatles song that would work.

Sorry for your loss.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[KyndCulture]

8. Funeral for a Friend

Elton John

[mzteris]

9. Doors - The End..... n/t

[Mz Pip]

15. When the Music's Over

Turn out the lights.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[tuvor]

10. At my wife's grandmother's funeral...

A member of the family played "Dust in the Wind" on solo guitar.

[Rabrrrrrr]

11. Here's my opinion -

while there is nothing wrong with including rock music in a funeral, I suggest that if your only option is to play a CD or tape or whatever (that is, if you can't get a live person/people to perform it), music like that is best saved for the luncheon/supper/celebration later. THough all that said only if the funeral is going to be held inside a sanctuary, whatever the religion.

Using recorded music in any worship setting is, IMO, genuinely disruptive and for the most part, annoying to people - mostly because there's nothing to watch or see, it's just sitting there listening to a CD.

But, if you are non-traidtional people, and the funeral is gonna be held in the park and everyone's gonna be stoned or drunk, or it'll be at his home garden, or in a mechanic's garage, or in the trailer of a semi cruising down the Interstate, recorded music is perfectly fine.

I say this as one who has often planned worship services in Christian churches, including funerals and weddings, for many years. Eschew recordings in that setting - it's an awful sensation. Not as awful in a funeral as in a wedding, in which it's pure unadulterated tackiness and hell, but awful.

But, if you can get a live band (or person) to perform the music - then jam the hell away!

If Duane Allman were still alive, and I were rich, I'd love to have my funeral be just a welcome/greeting, then a 60 minute guitar solo on "death and resurrection and hope", then a grand luncheon celebration with much story sharing.

In terms of good songs, I could suggest:

In Memory of Elizabeth Reed
Watermelon in Easter Hay (except no live performer worth his salt would perform it)
Don't Fear the Reaper
Peaches en Regalia


but mostly, what I would suggest is find a song or two that the deceased truly loved - whether they relate to death is totally irrelevant: it's wonderful, and quite meaningful and powerful, to have the experience of enjoying some music that was of great meaning to the deceased. Even if it's a happy song, sappy song, or song having nothing to do with anything.

[Whoa_Nelly]

13. Turn, Turn, Turn--The Byrds

To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time for every purpose, under heaven

A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep

To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time for every purpose, under heaven

A time to build up,a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones, a time to gather stones together

To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time for every purpose, under heaven

A time of love, a time of hate
A time of war, a time of peace
A time you may embrace, a time to refrain from embracing

To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time for every purpose, under heaven

A time to gain, a time to lose
A time to rend, a time to sew
A time to love, a time to hate
A time for peace, I swear its not too late

[Scurrilous]

14. Stairway to Heaven...

...or Highway to Hell. Depends on the person.

[catbert836]

16. Wish You Were Here

Melancholy classic rock songs don't get much better than this excellent Pink Floyd composition.

On edit: Upon looking at my iPod collection, I can also recommend "Hey Jude" and "In My Life" by the Beatles, "Badge" by Cream, "All Those Years Ago" by George Harrison, "Photograph" by Ringo Starr, "The Wind Cries Mary" by Jimi Hendrix, "Imagine" by John Lennon" and "Waiting On a Friend" by the Rolling Stones".

I hope this helps. :pals:

[sakabatou]

17. ELM by the Seatbelts

[Nickster]

18. Knocking on Heaven's Door-Bob Dylan.

[grasswire]

19. how old was he?

That would be a clue as to the kind of music he really loved.

[njdemocrat106]

20. My dad wanted "In My Life" by the Beatles played at his funeral...

We didn't get to play it at the funeral, but we had the line "In my life, I love you more" put on his headstone. And I might be getting a little superstitious here, but when I went to the store to pick up flowers for his grave on the date of the anniversary of his death this year, I heard "In My Life" over the store's muzak. Makes you wonder!

FYI, "In My Life" is on the Rubber Soul album, which is one of my favorite Beatles albums. I definitely inherited my dad's love for the Fab Four.

[gardenista]

21. That's a nice story

I think he was sending you a message.

:hug:

[gardenista]

22. Sorry to hear that, Duckie.

I can't think of anything, but I like all the suggestions on this thread.

[New Earth]

23. Back On Earth by Ozzy Osbourne

that's what I want played at my funeral. If you don't know the lyrics, go read them, they are soooo good.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

24. All Things Must Pass - George Harrison

[XemaSab]

25. Spirit in the Sky

:D

[xmas74]

37. Number one funeral song chosen.

It really is. A friend is a mortician and he said that a few years ago there was a poll released, showing Spirit in the Sky being chosen as the top funeral song for those who wanted anything beyond traditional music.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

26. The one I want played at my memorial is

Dreams I'll Never See by Molly Hatchet.

[Oeditpus Rex]

27. All nine movements of 'Shine On, You Crazy Diamond'

And then "Wish You Were Here."

[Guaranteed]

28. I've informed my wife that she is to play "Hello, Goodbye" by

the Beatles at mine. :)

That's mostly because of my contrarian nature, though- I wouldn't suggest it for just anyone.

[kariatari]

29. One Tree Hill by U2 (lyrics in post!)

We turn away to face the cold, enduring chill
As the day begs the night for mercy love
The sun so bright it leaves no shadows
Only scars carved into stone
On the face of earth
The moon is up and over One Tree Hill
We see the sun go down in your eyes

You run like river, on like a sea
You run like a river runs to the sea

And in the world a heart of darkness
A fire zone
Where poets speak their heart
Then bleed for it
Jara sang, his song a weapon
In the hands of love
You know his blood still cries
From the ground

It runs like a river runs to the sea
It runs like a river to the sea

I don't believe in painted roses
Or bleeding hearts
While bullets rape the night of the merciful
I'll see you again
When the stars fall from the sky
And the moon has turned red
Over One Tree Hill

We run like a river
Run to the sea
We run like a river to the sea
And when it's raining
Raining hard
That's when the rain will
Break my heart

Raining...raining in the heart
Raining in your heart
Raining...raining to your heart
Raining, raining...raining
Raining to your heart
Raining...raining in your heart
Raining in your heart..
To the sea

Oh great ocean
Oh great sea
Run to the ocean
Run to the sea

[democracyindanger]

30. Can't Always Get What You Want - Stones

Worked in "The Big Chill"

[graywarrior]

31. Elton John's Funeral for a Friend

[Reciprocity]

32. For A Rocker, Jackson Brown

Open the door, baby turn on the light
We're gonna have a party tonight
For a rocker
For a rocker

I know it's late and you're already down
You ain't ready for people around
I'm gonna tell you something I found out
Whatever you think your life is about
Whatever life may hold in store
Things will happen that you won't be ready for

I've got a shirt so unbelievably bright
I'm gonna dig it out and wear it tonight
For a rocker
For a rocker
For a rocker
For a rocker

Don't have to change, don't have to be sweet
Gonna be too many people to possibly meet
Don't have to feed 'em, they don't eat
They've got their power supplies in the soles of their feet
They exist for one thing, and one thing only
To escape living the lives of the lonely

For a friend of mine, from the neighborhood
Moving down the line, after tonight he'll be gone for good

Here comes Ricky, Danny, and Doerge
They got Petie's number and they're looking at me
Russell and Bobby setting up the drums
Gonna pound on 'till the landlord comes
Don't want to argue, I don't want to fight
But there will definitely be a party tonight
For a rocker
For a rocker
For a rocker
For a rocker

'Till the morning comes, 'till the car arrives
'Till we kill the drums, 'till we lose our lives

Hey Jenny, tell Peggy Sue
We're gonna do the only thing you can do
For a rocker
For a rocker
For a rocker
For a rocker
There's a party tonight!
There's a party tonight!
There's a party tonight!
There's a party tonight!

[rustydog]

33. Tears in Heaven

Tears In Heaven
by Eric Clapton and Will Jennings
Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven?
Would it be the same
If I saw you in heaven?


I must be strong
And carry on,
'Cause I know I don't belong
Here in heaven.


Would you hold my hand
If I saw you in heaven?
Would you help me stand
If I saw you in heaven?


I'll find my way
Through night and day,
'Cause I know I just can't stay
Here in heaven.


Time can bring you down,
Time can bend your knees.
Time can break your heart,
Have you begging please, begging please.


Beyond the door,
There's peace I'm sure,
And I know there'll be no more
Tears in heaven.


Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven?
Would it be the same
If I saw you in heaven?


I must be strong
And carry on,
'Cause I know I don't belong
Here in heaven.

[ikojo]

34. Box of Rain by the Grateful Dead. I recall reading

that Phil Lesh penned the song as a response to either his father's death or illness.

[politicat]

35. Wish you were here, Shine on you crazy diamond, On the turning away.

Yes, I'm a pink floyd fan. I'd use the orchestral-backed versions because they're far richer acoustically.

[Katina]

36. Warren Zevon's "Keep me in your heart"

not "classic rock, but amazingly beautiful with heartfelt words. He wrote this for his last album while dying.

Shadows are falling and I'm running out of breath
Keep me in your heart for awhile

If I leave you it doesn't mean I love you any less
Keep me in your heart for awhile

When you get up in the morning and you see that crazy sun
Keep me in your heart for awhile

There's a train leaving nightly called when all is said and done
Keep me in your heart for awhile

Sha-la-la-la-la-la-la-li-li-lo
Keep me in your heart for awhile

Sha-la-la-la-la-la-la-li-li-lo
Keep me in your heart for awhile

Sometimes when you're doing simple things
around the house
Maybe you'll think of me and smile

You know I'm tied to you like the buttons on
your blouse
Keep me in your heart for awhile

Hold me in your thoughts, take me to your dreams
Touch me as I fall into view
When the winter comes keep the fires lit
And I will be right next to you

Engine driver's headed north to Pleasant Stream
Keep me in your heart for awhile

These wheels keep turning but they're running out
of steam
Keep me in your heart for awhile

Sha-la-la-la-la-la-la-li-li-lo
Keep me in your heart for awhile

Sha-la-la-la-la-la-la-li-li-lo
Keep me in your heart for awhile

Keep me in your heart for awhile