Monday, April 20, 2009

Hmm.......

Randomly enough, I started thinking about what song(s) would be played at my funeral.........

If anything, most, if not all, funeral songs are selected for their meaning, not the music.

After looking through my playlist, and some deliberation, I came up with a list of songs:

1. In Loving Memory - Alter Bridge
Alter Bridge's lead guitarist, Mark Tremonti (who admittedly is one of the best rock guitarists), wrote the song about the death of his mother. Basically it talks about how a loved one was always there for him, and even though they're gone, their spirit still lives on and guides them in their life, giving them strength when they are weak, and comfort in their sorrow.

Well there's a whole lot more to it, so the lyrics are here: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/alterbridge/inlovingmemory.html

2. Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol
Dunno why, but this song's melancholy tone makes it perfect as a funeral song. It's almost like a song of salvation, or taking on the world with someone else, because you know you can't do it on your own.

Once again, here are the lyrics: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/snowpatrol/chasingcars.html

3. Savin' Me - Nickelback
Once again, going with the whole theme of salvation/redemption here. And as everyone can tell from the title, the song's about saving someone, particularly yourself. Thing is, are you worth saving? That's the question the song begs.

Lyrics: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/nickelback/savinme.html

4. Tears in Heaven - Eric Clapton
One of the guitar god's most famous songs, written about the pain he felt after his 4-year-old son fell to his death from the 53rd floor of a condominium in 1991. Not that the song has any references to his death; it merely talks about wanting to be with someone in heaven, only that your time isn't up yet, and you still have to live your life; but until then, you have to be strong and move on. Well at least that's how I interpret it.

Lyrics: http://www.eric-clapton.co.uk/ecla/lyrics/tears-in-heaven.html

5. From Where You Are - Lifehouse
Lifehouse's lead singer, Jason Wade, wrote the song for Allstate's (an insurance company in the US) Teen Driving Program; the song is dedicated to teens who have lost their lives in accidents, and to a friend of Jason that died in a car accident at the age of 16. Tragic as it is, however, the song never mentions/describes anything about dying in a car accident; rather, it talks about missing someone who is far away/gone, and recalling the little things and the special moments you shared.

Lyrics: http://www.metrolyrics.com/from-where-you-are-lyrics-lifehouse.html

6. I Am the Highway - Audioslave
Another melancholy song; Chris Cornell's (one of the best rock singers, in my opinion) raw, evocative vocals match the sombre lyrics; they talk of a life, numbed by the number of obstacles overcomed and the burdens carried, and how he isn't scared of leaving the world, and everything, behind. It seems that way to me, at least. Either way, a good one.

Lyrics: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/audioslave/iamthehighway.html

7. One Last Breath - Creed
Another (classic) example of the salvation/redemption theme. The song's simply about someone, who, with their last breath, is trying to hold on to life and to the things they hold dear. Sometimes, the song's also called "Six feet from the edge".

Lyrics: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/creed/onelastbreath.html

8. Fix You - Coldplay
As random as Coldplay's lyrics are (though some people reckon they're poetry o.O), this song seems to be the only one out of their entire repertoire that has even an ounce of meaning to it. Basically it kinda goes with the salvation/saving theme (you know, fix you). Not a bad one, though.

Lyrics: http://www.metrolyrics.com/fix-you-lyrics-coldplay.html

9. Leave Out All the Rest - Linkin Park
Redemption/forgiveness theme here. The song is a confession from someone who has made poor choices and done wrong in his past, and he fears condemnation; he wants to redeem himself, so that he can be remembed as a good person in other peoples' memory when he dies. It also mentions the differences between two individuals that shouldn't matter; the ones that make us all human.

Lyrics: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/linkinpark/leaveoutalltherest.html

10. Shadow of the Day - Linkin Park
Melancholy one about "the sun setting for you". Basically about turning your back on the world and leaving everything behind. Poignant enough for a funeral.

Lyrics: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/linkinpark/shadowoftheday.html


There, that's my list. I might add more to it, I dunno, depends on my ever-growing collection of music. xD

Currently listening to: From Where You Are - Lifehouse; from the Single.