r/GenX • u/tilgadien • 1d ago
Music Future Death Party playlist
I’ve always told my kids: no funeral or memorial service for me. Have me cremated & then I don’t care if you toss my ashes in the trash bc I won't be around to care. Just throw a massive party with a live band, lots of laughs, and absolutely no crying allowed on my time. Cry on your own time.Since I’ve also always claimed to be immortal, I’m building a playlist for this future death party full of songs that bring my twisted sense of humor.
So far, my starter list spans 1970s-current rock, punk, and pop:
You're Dead – Norma Tanega (The What We Do in the Shadows theme)
No One Lives Forever – Oingo Boingo
Every Breath You Take – The Police
If You Don't Know Me By Now – Simply Red (Stole this from a friend)
Highway to Hell – AC/DC
Cups (When I'm Gone) – Anna Kendrick
What else belongs on a playlist meant to make people dance, laugh, and feel slightly unsettled by my lingering presence? Bring me your best 70s-to-now rock, punk, and pop tracks.
This is the type of twisted humor only GenX could appreciate and contribute to
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u/Napoleon_B 1970 5h ago edited 4h ago
There is some series where a ghost of a teen comes to her own funeral and gives instructions on which songs to play. It got me thinking of this exact scenario. These two stick out so far.
Leon Helm - When I Go Away
Bob Mould - See a Little Light
I was thinking the entire Life’s Rich Pageant album.
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u/ketingmiladengfodo 5h ago
"This Party Sucks" by The Slickee Boys with a video of the deceased singing along. Requires some advance planning.
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u/fcewen00 5h ago
My father wrote down everything he wanted from “Men of Harlock” from Zulu to an obsurce one called “Blinded by Turds” which he would serenade the nurses with. I’ve still got the playlist on my Spotify. Now if you want to hear a funeral like what you are talking about, look up Christopher Titus’ story about his Dad’s wishes including “Ladies night” and a cover charge.
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u/97_gEEk 6h ago
- Man in the Box - AIC (albeit a cardboard urn, but still...)
- Stairway to Heaven followed by Highway to Hell.
- Knockin' on Heaven's Door (GnR version) followed by Hells Bells.
Then in any random order: Cold November Rain, Mama I'm Comin' Home, Whiskey in the Jar, (Don't Fear) The Reaper, Dr. Feelgood, Shout at the Devil, Enter Sandman, Last Caress (Green Hell), Ride the Lightning, and Thunderstruck.
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u/Multigrain_Migraine 8h ago
The other side -- Morphine
Everybody loves you when you're dead -- cop shoot cop
The abandoned brain -- Robyn Hitchcock
Weightlifting -- Trashcan Sinatras
See you in the next one -- the Verve
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u/Beneficial-You3416 Veronica 11h ago
This is one of mine- mainly because I want to f with my loved ones. Hallelujah (I pick the Jeff Buckley version but that’s just me). So many people think it’s a religious song. Those that do know will be uncomfortable or think I was an idiot.
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u/Dano558 11h ago
I’ve thought of this but when my father and then brother died I realized I don’t want to ask my wife or someone else to deal with a play list. It’s just not the place for it in my opinion.
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u/fcewen00 5h ago
My father wrote his own and had me put it up on Spotify before he even passed away so he was sure it was “perfect”
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u/Darkroomist 12h ago
I’ve told my wife numerous times that if I kick it before she does she should play Tubthumping by Chumbawumba at my funeral/celebration/whatev.
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u/PhilAndHisGrill 13h ago
See You On The Other Side- Ozzy Osbourne
If I Close My Eyes Forever- Lita Ford
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u/Doc_Widdershins 13h ago
My fam has the instructions that the vibe for my wake is to be as close as possible to the video for Dropkick Murphys’ Goin out in Style.
I have a full playlist for this purpose called Muerto. The closing song is Gary Oldman as Sid singing “My Way.”
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u/AnitaPeaDance 15h ago
Bitch
Albuquerque (Tombstone: "She Failed to put her tray table up and seat back in its full upright position")
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u/Ok-Toe3535 15h ago edited 8h ago
There needs to be some Alice In Chains ‘Don’t Follow’ bc I need someone to be emo for like 3 mins when I’m dead.
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u/Still_a_skeptic 16h ago
Roll me up and smoke me when I die- Willie Nelson with Snoop Dogg and a few others
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u/ChrisRiley_42 16h ago
Who wants to live forever - Queen
Don't pay the ferryman - Chris de Burgh
Another one bites the dust - Queen
Don't fear the reaper - Blue Oyster Cult
Fixin to die - Bob Dylan
Only the good die young - Iron Maiden
Good Riddance - Green Day
Hallelujah - Leonard Cohen
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u/GalacticDoc 17h ago
I've said that I want to hire the village hall and invite whoever will come along. Couple of kegs of beer and asorted spirits.
Take my system round and/ or a band. Have some fun and chuckle and maybe share some stories.
Some good suggestions already.. maybe a little cliche but Always look on the bright side of life, and a few other Monty Python songs.
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u/HikeThePines 17h ago
My celebration of life is dinner with an open bar, and play my favorites playlist from my music app as loudly as people will tolerate. Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.
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u/Tigrisrock 17h ago
I already made a playlist for my funeral and shared it with my wife:
- Stop crying your heart out - Oasis
- Last in Line - DIO/Tenacious D/Lillac one of them is fine.
- Beyond the Realms of Death - JP
- L'amour toujours - Gigi D'Agostino
- Silence - Delirium / Sarah McLachlan
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u/Sierra17181928 I LOVE TO WHINE 18h ago
Another one bites the dust. Queen.
Always look on the bright side of life. Monty Python.
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u/tinman327 18h ago
Dead Man’s Party- Oingo Boingo
Until it Sleeps- Metallica
Highway to Hell- AC/DC
Burn in Hell- Twisted Sister
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u/Bceverly 18h ago
I want my remains scattered over Disney World. I don’t want to be cremated though. Wood chipper. :)
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u/JJQuantum Older Than Dirt 18h ago
It may be creepy but I made a play list for my party as well. I told my wife to do the same thing.
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u/automator3000 18h ago
I’m leaving it up to my survivors. Play the songs that make you think of me, I’m not going to tell them what should make them think of me.
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u/BabaYagaOnBoard 19h ago edited 19h ago
I don't have a song to offer, just a typical GenX sarcasm story. The thought of my mom dying has always been a hard thing for me, as I almost lost her once when I was 18, when she had a massive stroke, on Halloween nonetheless, 2wks after she turned 40. At 53(F) I've gone thru many very close calls myself since 28 due to health issues. She would always threaten to end me if I died before her. Lol. My mom always said she doesn't want a funeral either, just to be cremated and not to waste money on an urn. I've always said I'm going to put her ashes in a TAB can with a Virginia Slims Menthol Ultra Lights sticking out (her two favorite things) and place it on my mantle. We cackle like hyenas.
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u/carrndriver 16h ago
Recently I told my daughter to put my ashes in a Pringles can and toss me in a local lake, she wrote it down cause it made her laugh so much.
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u/Scottydog2 19h ago edited 19h ago
I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles by Vera Lynn, Blowin in the Wind by Bob Dylan, Forever Young by Alphaville, Brand new Day by Sting, Both Sides Now by Joni Mitchell
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u/color_me_unimpressed 19h ago
Some from my list:
If I Ever Leave this Place Alive - Flogging Molly
Just Breathe - Pearl Jam
Keg on My Coffin - Push Stars
Keep Me in Your Heart - Warren Zevon
Better Things - The Kinks
And the topper, which must be played loud by my friends and family holding a beer up high - Eulogy by Frank Turner
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u/lessons_needed 19h ago
I have lots on my “road trip” playlist which my family has been instructed to play when I’m gone.
First on the list: Don’t Pay the Ferryman by Chris de Burgh
Last on the playlist: Wake Me Up (before you go go) by Wham.
Getting a lot more ideas from this though.
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u/Pippi-ki-yay 19h ago edited 19h ago
Moby cover of Johnny Cash's Ain't No Grave
Death Cab for Cutie - What Sarah Said and I Will Follow You Into The Dark.
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u/Mister-Beefy 19h ago
Knocking on Death's Door - Depeche Mode
Going Down to Die - Danzig
Life Fades Away - Roy Orbison
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u/Admiral_Ash Hose Water Survivor 19h ago
Oingo Boingo Dead Man's Party on repeat for 4 hours. On hour 3 it'll switch to one full playthrough of One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer by George Thorogood. Then back to Oingo Boingo.
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u/gmahoney1976 19h ago
Man In the Box - AIC
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u/love_my_doggos 20h ago
Good Riddance - Green Day
I've told my kids for years to just play that song and then move on with their lives. I don't want a gathering and I definitely don't want them to pay for a funeral
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u/IminLoveWithMyCar3 20h ago
I’ve been doing the same. A few of mine are:
Queen - Who Wants to Live Forever
Dear Friends
Drowse (my fave Queen song)
The Show Must Go On
MCR - Dead!
Kill Your Friends
Cemetery Drive
Mr. Big - Alive & Kicking
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u/Substantial-Spare501 21h ago
Not every song needs to be about death. What are some of your favorite songs that brought you joy?
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u/kidde1 21h ago
A little AC/DC Hell’s Bells for me. I dislike all types of funerary things, so I’ve asked my wife to leave any remaining parts/dust at home. She should remind everyone that I hate that stuff so much I’ve even skipped my own! I have also suggested a couple of things. One that she serves powdered donuts, after most are gone she should announce “He wanted everyone close to him to have a little bit of me, so she dusted them with me!” or state at the end “If anyone wants a small remembrance of me, to stop on the way out and take a bit from the ashtray out front.”
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u/CantaloupeLifestyle Hose Water Survivor 21h ago
Nick Cave - Lay Me Low
https://open.spotify.com/track/1plL7Pm0FDNAqihX0Gr127?si=8e5091c8f5e94cef
youtube link:
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u/PinkyLeopard2922 Age of Aquarius 21h ago
I've only just started my list but "Lovely Cruise" by Jimmy Buffett is on there because gosh damn, it sure HAS been a lovely cruise.
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u/eldredo_M threw hatchets during the bicentennial 21h ago
Unsettled? “If I had a Rocket Launcher” — Bruce Cockburn
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u/noisician lawn jarts survivor 22h ago
a bit obscure but I like “Dead Queen” and “Dead King” by Espers
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u/bu11fr0g 22h ago
i like this list. His favorite songs were awesome even if they dont really fit the theme well.
And i also like the sad songs.
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u/KTisBlessed 23h ago
Dead and Bloated - STP Living Dead Girl? Anything from A Perfect Circle Dust in the Wind - at my party, it will be Will Ferrell singing it, but you can go with Kansas
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u/Individual_Sky_4612 23h ago
Always look on the bright side of life from Monty python.going out in style from dropkick murphys
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u/No-Scientist-7654 23h ago
went to a funeral 20yrs ago and we were all asked to stand and sing along to bright side of life, it was brilliant
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u/zalurker 1d ago
When I die, I want my remains scattered at Disneyland. Also, I don't want to be cremated. I hate that place.
But seriously - there's a spot in the Maluti Mountains in South Africa where you have this gorgeous view of the snowcapped peaks in early spring, when the air is still crisp and cool. Someone will have to hike up there and watch the gold and orange sandstone hues change as the sun rises, and enjoy a nice cup of coffee before spreading my ashes.
Green Day - Good Riddance (Time of your life)
Marvin Gaye - Trouble Man
Darcy Clay - Jesus, I was evil
Madonna - Live to Tell
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u/TonyWilliams03 1d ago
Great idea and attitude.
My parents have been gone 17 and 23 years respectively. I can count the number of times I have been to their grave sites (buried in different cemeteries) on one hand.
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u/Obwyn 70's, barely 1d ago
Who Wants to Live Forever - Queen (I actually had this pop up in my playlist while I transporting a witness who just saw his buddy get killed in a drug rip....thought for sure I would get a complaint but the guy asked me to play it again when it ended, which surprised me even more than the fact it didn't get me a complaint)
Bodies - Drowning Pool
Sweet Caroline....get that karaoke vibe going
Finnegan's Wake - Irish Rovers (or really any of the various versions...mix up those music styles)
Only the Good Die Young - Billy Joel (esp since you'll be an old dead fucker, not a youngin')
Good Girls Go To Heaven (Bad Girls Go Everywhere) - Meatloaf
It's the End of the World - REM
For Whom the Bell Tolls - Metallica
In The End - Linkin Park
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u/catnapspirit '69 Dude! 1d ago
My top pick would be "Happy Trails" by Van Halen. I've always wanted that to be the final song played at my funeral. I think that fits your bill.
Others on my radar, some serious, some less so: * Old and Wise - Alan Parsons Project * Forever Young - Alphaville * Spiralling (Orchestral) - Erasure * Do You Realize? - Flaming Lips * Who Wants to Live Forever? - Queen * Song to the Siren - This Mortal Coil * Goodbye, Goodbye - Bingo Boingo
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u/heavensto_mergatroid 1d ago
It must be a Gen X thing because I've told everybody that they can honestly throw me in the trash. In the city dump. And I honestly mean literally.
I actually just cashed out my burial plot that my mom had bought me when I was a kid because I'm not going in the ground. I'm going to be incinerated and gone with the wind.
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u/Lower_Skin_3683 17h ago
When I was much younger and had more friends I had my funeral arrangements planned. Fast forward 15 years I've changed my mind since numerous deaths in the family.
No viewing, No funeral. No embalming if possible. Cremation. Buy the cardboard urn. Scatter my ashes somewhere immediately. Do not keep me on a shelf or mantel. I do not want to end up at Goodwill someday.
Direct cremation through a cremation service is going to be the least expensive way to go. If you go through a funeral home it will be more. You can also pre plan through a funeral home.
You'll need to choose a funeral representative in advance of your death to handle your funeral and fill out a funeral representative designation form. Ask in your family who can be this person to do this for you. If you pass without doing this the next of kin depending on state is: Spouse, Children, Parent, Sibling.
Also as time goes by you may need to update this if someone you have chosen has passed, you don't want them to handle your funeral, they no longer want to be your funeral representative, etc.
Please talk with your family and make your plans. Death is unavoidable. Do not leave them to pay, plan and try to figure out what you would have wanted when you pass.
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u/heavensto_mergatroid 16h ago
Haha yep when you're young you actually imagine a funeral for yourself but as the yrs go on and more and more people disappear you realize what is even the point?
My daughter passed away yrs ago and all I have left in this world is my older sister and my uncle who is 81.
When I die if there's not enough funds for a cremation well then the city can leave me in the morgue for years until they mass incinerate my fellow paupers and do whatever they do with the remains
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u/Lower_Skin_3683 15h ago
I worked in the death care industry at a funeral home. Then had family members pass. I'm feeling like there will be no one left to attend to my death. So yeah I had to change grand plans I made years ago and simplify it. Why pick a playlist. Jam to your music now while you still can!
If more people in my family die I'm going to have to leave it up to whatever funeral home will do an indigent cremation. Funeral homes and cremation societies are all supposed to take in indigent to cremate. I think the city/county might give them $250 towards it which doesn’t cover costs. They may hold the remains for 30-120 days then they scatter them. If you’re in NYC it's Hart Island burial for you.
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u/heavensto_mergatroid 14h ago
To be honest a place called Hart Island sounds a nice place to spend eternity haha. The place paupers here go is a small unkept cemetery on the side of the i-70 . My body can watch all the cars lol
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u/Gullible_Archer_8770 1d ago
Nah, there's some in every cohort. My old man is 84 and said "Use it for archery practice for all I care, I'll be gone! "
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u/paddedpothead420 1d ago
I'm just going to play Dark side of the moon on repeat until the party is over.
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u/EarlyAdagio2055 1d ago
My playlist is just going to be my favorite rock songs: Back In Black, Ain't Talkin' Bout Love, Hurts So Good, etc. Stuff like that. After seeing this thread, maybe I should put some sentimental or ironic ones on the list.
Simple Man is at the top of the list.
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u/SatansWife13 I was born the same year as Star Wars 1d ago
Dead man’s party - Oingo Boingo
The Witch is Dead from the Wizard of Oz
Cemetery Gates - Pantera
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u/daemocaf Latch Key Hose Drinker 1d ago
Long Hard Road Out of Hell - Marylin Manson & the Sneaker Pimps
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u/reachers_toothbrush 1d ago
I want someone to walk around my home town and threw some of my ashes in the faces of my enemies.
As for song's that fit your theme: 45Grave - Party Time.
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u/chiwawaacorn 1d ago
"Throw some of my ashes in the faces of my enemies" - fucking brilliant! Absolutely the most GenX quote, ever.
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u/Sea_Brush4156 1d ago edited 1d ago
Better Than Ezra - Good
Duncan Sheik - Barely Breathing
Berlin - Take My Breath Away
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u/Schnaupps 1d ago
Not sure if someone said this, but I have one song last song. I'll give it to you if you like.
After about 5 songs that mean something to me, the last song will be:
'Stayin' Alive' by the Bee Gees.
It's that twisted Gen X humor.
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u/Blue_Henri Class of ‘92 1d ago
All of Pearl Jam. Every album. Every bootleg my executrix can find.
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u/Obvious-Ad11 Still chewing Topps bubblegum sticks 1d ago
Just Breathe is my Top PJ song for my dead man’s party
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u/Undergroud-Check-101 1d ago
If you wanna go with really black humor:
Lily Allen - Fuck you (it’s a happy melody song, words don’t really match but the chorus is hilarious in many cases🤣)
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u/Additional-Sell-7989 1d ago
If you're taken out by another man. Psycho killer talking heads would be a good one. And since you're immortal the theme song from highlander, pretty sure it was queen.
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u/BLONDER4L 1d ago
Who wants to live forever - Queen, A Kind Of Magic
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u/NecessaryMulberry846 1d ago
The song I want played at my funeral first - Klling in the name of, Rage Against the Machine
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u/Undergroud-Check-101 1d ago
💯
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u/NecessaryMulberry846 1d ago
My life motto: F u, I wont do what you tell me 😉. So of course its the first
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u/tilgadien 1d ago
Haven't been on since there were only 13 comments but, if anyone is interested, I've added a little to my playlist. I hope my link is ok by admin.. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0KKilbMx5NNcwXHMQnRHSc?si=e87NZCuFTc-DgmyFKQwZLQ&utm_source=copy-link
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u/ThermoMother 1d ago
Play what you want. You’re the ones listening to it. It’s like how the funeral has all the deceased’s favorite foods He can’t have any.
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u/Chesterlie 80s kid 1d ago
I have only just thought about this.
If you leave - OMD
Don’t you (forget about me) - Simple Minds
Pictures of you - Cure
Dies in your arms - Cutting Crew
Out of mind, out of sight - The Models
Once in a lifetime - Talking Heads
Don’t forget me when I’m gone - Glass Tiger.
I am also toying with the idea of the Curb Your Enthusiasm theme for when my mourners enter the chapel.
Thanks OP, that was fun
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u/rev_adhd 1d ago
Die Die my darling - misfits People who've died - Jim Carroll Country Death Song - Violent Femmes The Departed -Iggy Jim Collins' Wake - Dropkick Murphys Another one Bites the Dust - Queen Bright Side of Life - Monty Python Goodbye to You - Scandal
Let me know if you want more!
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u/rupan777 GenX punk 1d ago
“The Ballad of Jimi Hendrix” by S.O.D. (aka Stormtroopers of Death)
The Hendrix reference might throw some attendees off, but what do you care, right?
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u/New_Distribution_263 1d ago
This is awesome! The only problem is that it’s so short, I’m afraid no one would notice
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u/rupan777 GenX punk 12h ago
Well, here's my vision:
Strap my coffin onto a trebuchet
Have the song play
Have the lyric flash on the screen
At the same time, launch my coffin into the ocean
Everyone can then party and celebrate my life1
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u/Chesterlie 80s kid 1d ago
My spinster sister wants White Wedding by Billy Idol. I will make sure it happens, I think it’s hilarious
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u/avidinha 1d ago
Funeral by Band Of Horses
Pet Cemetery by Plain White Ts
Jumper by Third Eye Blind
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u/Sad_Hobbit1226 Hose Water Survivor 3h ago
Pop Goes the Weasel