From time to time, we present questions to our fellow taint ticklers. Recently, we asked: “What are five to ten songs that you would like to have played at your funeral?” There are numerous ways to approach this question. For music addicts, it is hard to limit the number of songs. Furthermore, the list is likely to change many times, as we remember additional songs and hear new music. Nevertheless, it is worth going through this process, as it is helpful to plan, and fun to share various musical connections. Below is SoDak’s list.
By SoDak
“Immortal death,” as Lucretius remarked, is the end of life. In this, death is meaningless to the one who has died. I will exist no more. What others do, if they choose to mark this moment, is really up to them. Perhaps a few friends, who I have been lucky enough to share life with, will gather to tell some stories and enjoy their time together. What I list below are a handful of songs that folks may elect to play, if they need suggestions to get things going.
Son Volt, “Windfall” (1995).
Son Volt is home to me. I find much comfort when listening to their records. As I approach the Black Hills of South Dakota to visit friends, I almost always play Trace and from the first notes of the opening song, “Windfall,” I am happy.
Five Stairstep, “O-o-h Child” (1970).
Throughout my life, “O-o-h Child” has moved me. The song is grounded in hardship, but filled with hope for a better future. Still chokes me up to this day.
Willie Nelson, “Angel Flying too Close to the Ground” (1981), “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” (1975), “Help Me Make It through the Night” (1980), “Your Memory Won’t Die in My Grave” (1996), or “The Scientist” (2012).
As a child, I was captivated by Willie Nelson, and he has consistently accompanied me through the years. As each day passes, I fall more and more in love with his music. He is one of my all-time favorite singers. His guitar playing is mesmerizing as well. There are long stretches where I only listen to Willie. This is not a casual experience, as I tend to be overwhelmed with emotions when listening to him. For me, Willie is the voice of earth. I hear it reverberating everywhere. He soothes my heart. Here I list some song options, as there are so many great Willie songs. I am particularly partial to many songs that feature Mickey Raphael, as he has accompanied Willie for decades playing the harmonica and has a very distinctive sound.
Johnny Cash, “Hurt” (2002).
Johnny fucking Cash. My folks had very few records or tapes in the 1970s, but they had a couple by Johnny. I remember being in the car, as a very young child, as an 8-track tape played Johnny over and over. The boom-chicka-boom and deep voice might as well have been part of the car. At the house, I would repeatedly play their copy of I Walk the Line (1964) on the console stereo. The record is loaded with outstanding songs, including the title song, “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Give Me Love to Rose,” “Hey Porter,” “I Still Miss Someone,” and “Big River.” I also listened obsessively to “Ring of Fire” on another collection—the voice and the horns are so fucking powerful. Once I had money for records, I bought each Johnny record, following him through the years. His cover of “Hurt” by Nine Inch Nails still floors me every time I hear it and is appropriate for this moment.
Gillian Welch, “Leaving Train” (1998) or “Hickory Wind” (1999).
Could flip a coin here. Gillian creates a calming space for reflection.
Robert Earl Keen, “So I Can Get My Rest” (1993).
Another one for comfort.
Jason Isbell, “If We Were Vampires” (2017).
Perfect song. Important reminder to make the most of life and to try not to waste it.
New Model Army, “Green and Grey” (1989).
New Model Army remains one of my favorite bands. They are part of what constitutes me.
Bonnie “Prince” Billy, “I See a Darkness” (1999).
My preference is the very mellow version of “I See a Darkness” rather than the upbeat version that was released years later.
Blue Öyster Cult, “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” (1976).
Have been enthralled by this song since I first heard it in the 1970s. Still love it.
Iron Maiden, “When the Wild Wind Blows” (2010).
Another constant thread throughout my life has been Iron Maiden. Have enjoyed so many Maiden concerts with dear friends and loved ones. Has been great growing older with the band.
Subhumans, “No” (1983).
One of my favorite punk rock bands. Short and to the point.
Black Sabbath, “Children of the Grave” (1971).
This song still gives me goosebumps. It is fucking brilliant. It remains a great call for revolution.
Mike Ray, “Lucretian Eulogy” and “Bone and Blood.”
Assuming my dear friend Mike is still present when I die, I hope he will play a couple songs for friends. His voice and songs are always in my head.
As folks move toward sitting around a campfire, they may want to play songs by: Tracy Chapman, Iris Dement (“No Time to Cry”), Nomeansno (“Heaven Is the Dust Beneath My Shoes” and “Now”), Townes Van Zandt, Merle Haggard, John Gorka (“Temporary Road”), Bill Morrissey, Don Williams, Dave Alvin, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Lucy Kaplansky (“Still Life”), Alejandro Escovedo, Tom Rush (“Child’s Song”), Richard Shindell (“I Saw My Youth Today”), Warren Zevon (“Keep Me in Your Heart”), Tom Petty, Mary McCaslin (“Prairie in the Sky”), Dead Silence (“Hope”), Dissent, Richard Buckner (“Blue and Wonder”), Journey, Highwaymen, (“Highwayman” and “Silver Stallion”), A.P.P.L.E. (“If in Heaven”), The Cure (“A Forest”), Neil Young (“Old Man”), Bruce Springsteen (“The River”), The Everybodyfields, early to mid-R.E.M., William Ackerman (“Conferring with the Moon”), Built to Spill (“Goin’ Against Your Mind”), Patti Smith (“Dancing Barefoot”), Cringer (“Blasphemous”), Depeche Mode (“Blasphemous Rumours”), Modern English (“I Melt with You”), Whiskeytown, The Psychedelic Furs (“Torch”), Citizen Fish, Bad Religion (“Sorrow”), Mandolin Orange (“Hey Stranger” and “Golden Embers”), Uncle Tupelo, Thad Cockrell (“Some Tears”), June Star, Bruce Cockburn (“Child of the Wind”), Jawbreaker, Samiam, Frog Holler, Rush, Steve Earle (“Me and the Eagle”), Guy Clark, The Replacements (“Here Comes a Regular”), John Denver (“Poems, Prayers, and Promises”), Nick Drake, Emmylou Harris, Jackson Browne (“These Days”), Firehose, Bill Withers (“Ain’t No Sunshine”), The Clash, Jesse Sykes (“Reckless Burning”), Varnaline (“Hear the Birds Cry”), Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash (“Burn Down” and “Beautiful Cage”), Strawman, J Church, Motörhead, Marvin Gaye (“What’s Goin’ On”), Cheryl Wheeler (“Howl at the Moon”), Meat Puppets, Ramones, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson, Gaslight Anthem (“The ‘59 Sound”), Pollution Circus, Political Asylum, George Strait, Midnight Oil, Andy Irvine, Fred Eaglesmith (“Water in the Fuel”), Tom Russell, and many more Willie Nelson songs.
