 |
| The classic scene from Monty Python's Life of Brian |
Would YOU play Monty Python at your own funeral? Cilla Black's service included her own Anyone Who Had A Heart and a Beatles classic but the UK's top ten funeral songs include Frank Sinatra, Eva Cassidy and a certain comedy classic...
A recent poll from perfectchoicefunerals.com asked thousands of Brits to reveal the songs they would like played.
There was no sign of modern performers like Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus, although the omission of some of the music business' biggest balladeers like Whitney Houston or Celine Dion was a surprise.
Not as much of a shock as the inclusion of a certain favourite from Monty Python, however...
At Cilla Black's funeral today, there were classic hymns like All Things Bright And Beautiful.
Cliff Richard, her dear friend, sang Faithful One while Cilla's own 1964 hit Anyone Who Had A Heart was played during Holy Communion. The Beatles' poignant The Long And Winding Road was chosen as the recessional music.
Cliff Richard, her dear friend, sang Faithful One while Cilla's own 1964 hit Anyone Who Had A Heart was played during Holy Communion. The Beatles' poignant The Long And Winding Road was chosen as the recessional music.
 |
| Cilla Black outside Buckingham Palace in 1975 |
A recent poll from perfectchoicefunerals.com asked thousands of Brits to reveal the songs they would like played.
There was no sign of modern performers like Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus, although the omission of some of the music business' biggest balladeers like Whitney Houston or Celine Dion was a surprise.
Not as much of a shock as the inclusion of a certain favourite from Monty Python, however...
Queen's Another One Bites The Dust was also on the list, although it narrowly missed the Top 10.
SCROLL DOWN FOR THE NATION'S TOP 10 FUNERAL SONGS
SCROLL DOWN FOR THE NATION'S TOP 10 FUNERAL SONGS
TOP 10 UK FUNERAL SONGS:
10. DON'T YOU, FORGET ABOUT ME BY SIMPLE MINDS
Kicking off our countdown is this rather pushy track from 1980's doom-pop kings, Simple Minds.
It's all about the big hair and even bigger shoulder pads as the Scottish rock band demand that we remember, or else...
10. DON'T YOU, FORGET ABOUT ME BY SIMPLE MINDS
Kicking off our countdown is this rather pushy track from 1980's doom-pop kings, Simple Minds.
It's all about the big hair and even bigger shoulder pads as the Scottish rock band demand that we remember, or else...
9. IMAGINE BY JOHN LENNON
John Lennon's 1971 classic is one of those one-song-fits-all kind of deals and can often be found playing over soppy montages.
It's the best-selling song from the ex-Beatle's solo career although it was only released as a single in the UK in 1975.
John Lennon's 1971 classic is one of those one-song-fits-all kind of deals and can often be found playing over soppy montages.
It's the best-selling song from the ex-Beatle's solo career although it was only released as a single in the UK in 1975.
8. UNFORGETTABLE BY NAT KING COLEEveryone from Engelbert Humperdinck to Charlie Sheen has covered this gorgeous song, but it's Nat's rather natty 1951 version that remains the standard.
Rather like the Simple Minds song, it seems a tad presumptuous, though, if people are choosing it for their own funerals.
Forget kicking the bucket, this smacks of banging your own drum.
7. WISH ME LUCK AS YOU WAVE ME GOODBYE BY GRACIE FIELDS
While there is no Celine Dion or Whitney HOuston on the list, we have an entry from the nation's sweetheart during the Second World War (don't tell Vera Lynn).
This emotional number is from Gracie's 1939 film, Shipyard Sally.
Rather like the Simple Minds song, it seems a tad presumptuous, though, if people are choosing it for their own funerals.
Forget kicking the bucket, this smacks of banging your own drum.
7. WISH ME LUCK AS YOU WAVE ME GOODBYE BY GRACIE FIELDS
While there is no Celine Dion or Whitney HOuston on the list, we have an entry from the nation's sweetheart during the Second World War (don't tell Vera Lynn).
This emotional number is from Gracie's 1939 film, Shipyard Sally.
6. WIND BENEATH MY WINGS BY BETTE MIDLERNo surprises to see this perennial weepie here.
Bette's big number from her 1988 hit film Beaches is guaranteed to have everyone reaching for their hankies by the big finish.
5. HALLELUYAH BY LEONARD COHEN
Possibly the coolest and definitelty the least shmaltzy song on the list.
Cohen's 1984 epic is a pretty dark ditty about life, love, the universe and cutting hair and was the Christmas No 1 in 2008 for X Factor winner Alexandra Burke.
Interestingly, Cohen originally wrote around 80 verses for the song - which would certainly make for some very numb bums on the seats.
Bette's big number from her 1988 hit film Beaches is guaranteed to have everyone reaching for their hankies by the big finish.
5. HALLELUYAH BY LEONARD COHEN
Possibly the coolest and definitelty the least shmaltzy song on the list.
Cohen's 1984 epic is a pretty dark ditty about life, love, the universe and cutting hair and was the Christmas No 1 in 2008 for X Factor winner Alexandra Burke.
Interestingly, Cohen originally wrote around 80 verses for the song - which would certainly make for some very numb bums on the seats.
4. WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD BY LOUIS ARMSTRONG
This timeless tune has been going strong since it was first released in 1967.
It's a gorgeous song and definitely not a laughing matter – so it's notable that it rocketed back into the public's awareness when it was featured in the 1981 BBC comedy The Hitchhiker's Guide to The Galaxy.
This timeless tune has been going strong since it was first released in 1967.
It's a gorgeous song and definitely not a laughing matter – so it's notable that it rocketed back into the public's awareness when it was featured in the 1981 BBC comedy The Hitchhiker's Guide to The Galaxy.
And then again in Robin Williams' smash hit film Good Morning Vietnam in 1988.
Far less amusing was The Forest - an x-rated rap rip-off by Ghostface Killah, Raekwon and The Alchemist in 2001 which was all about maijuana.
Far less amusing was The Forest - an x-rated rap rip-off by Ghostface Killah, Raekwon and The Alchemist in 2001 which was all about maijuana.
3. OVER THE RAINBOW BY EVA CASSIDYAlthough Over The Rainbow is, of course, a hugely famous song by Judy Garland from The Wizard of Oz, it is another recording that is held closest to the nation's heart.
The haunting beauty of the 1992 interpretation by American singer Eva Cassidy is matched by the sadness of its path to fame.
The sweet, acoustic version only came to popular attention in 1998 with the release of a compilation album Songbird - two years after Cassidy's untimely death from melanoma at the age of 33.
Sadly, Cassidy never knew how much her heart-wrending interpretations of classics like Over The Rainbow, Fields of Gold and True Colours would go on to touch millions of people all around the world.
The haunting beauty of the 1992 interpretation by American singer Eva Cassidy is matched by the sadness of its path to fame.
The sweet, acoustic version only came to popular attention in 1998 with the release of a compilation album Songbird - two years after Cassidy's untimely death from melanoma at the age of 33.
Sadly, Cassidy never knew how much her heart-wrending interpretations of classics like Over The Rainbow, Fields of Gold and True Colours would go on to touch millions of people all around the world.
2. MY WAY BY FRANK SINATRANo surprises at the inclusion of this song - the only real shock is that it's not at number one.
It's a rousing, ballsy and yet melancholy contemplation of a flawed life fully lived that has rarely been matched.
Nobody sings this song like Old Blue Eyes, probably because the man had quite a life himself.
So, what will be at Number One? We're pretty sure you will NEVER guess...
SCROLL DOWN FOR THE NATION'S FAVOURITE FUNERAL SONG
It's a rousing, ballsy and yet melancholy contemplation of a flawed life fully lived that has rarely been matched.
Nobody sings this song like Old Blue Eyes, probably because the man had quite a life himself.
So, what will be at Number One? We're pretty sure you will NEVER guess...
SCROLL DOWN FOR THE NATION'S FAVOURITE FUNERAL SONG
1. ALWAYS LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE OF LIFE BY MONTY PYTHON
Oh yes, putting the fun back in fun-erals, The Pythons crash straight into the list at No 1.
This deeply moving, sensitive number from The Life of Brian features the beautiful lyrics,
"Life's a bit of sh** when you look at it
"Life's a laugh and death's a joke it's true."
Stiff upper lip? Who says we Brit's don't have a sense of humour?
Oh yes, putting the fun back in fun-erals, The Pythons crash straight into the list at No 1.
This deeply moving, sensitive number from The Life of Brian features the beautiful lyrics,
"Life's a bit of sh** when you look at it
"Life's a laugh and death's a joke it's true."
Stiff upper lip? Who says we Brit's don't have a sense of humour?
The UK Top 10 funeral songs provided by perfectchoicefunerals.com
Post a Comment Blogger Facebook Disqus