by What song would you choose to listen to if you were terminally ill and about to die? It’s an interesting question that – thankfully – most of us haven’t had to think about.
But the Marie Curie hospice charity has compiled a list of the most popular tracks played by people in their final moments. The top 10 songs include Whitney Houston’s version of Dolly Parton’s I Will Always Love You, Frank Sinatra’s My Way and Christina Aguilera’s Beautiful. The list was compiled after Marie Curie polled 1,000 adults in the UK whose loved ones have experienced end-of-life care. Other tracks include Tina Turner’s The Best, The Beatles’ Hey Jude and Robbie Williams’ Angels.
There are some mobile songs on the list. Who could argue with Louis Armstrong’s comments, What a Wonderful World or Queen’s These are The Days of Our Lives? But for anyone who feels these tracks are veering towards the mawkish, the obvious or the sentimental, here’s our alternative list of end-of-life songs.
Tax Man – The Beatles
This 1966 Beatles song will appeal to anyone concerned about changes to the inheritance tax regime in Rachel Reeves’ Budget on 30 October. As George Harrison sang, “Now my advice to those who die / Affirm the pennies on your eyes.” Stand on. We know that the Chancellor has tough choices to make, but we hope that her difficult decisions will not end there.
Always look on the bright side of life – Monty Python
We all know Eric Idle’s song from the movie Life of Brian and I’m sure many of us think it’s too mundane. But it’s the song you’ll hear the most with stoicism. “For life is rather absurd/ And death is the last word/ You must always face the curtain with a bow,” sings Idle, and – lest we forget – reformed to a cross during a ban. He continues: “Always look on the bright side of death/ Just before you draw your last breath.” Proclamation.
Going Underground – The Jam
A literal interpretation of events for people who chose to be buried when they die. See also Living in a Box by Living in a Box or It’s Oh So Quiet by Björk. For those being cremated, the dark macabre options are I’m On Fire by Bruce Springsteen, Ashes to Ashes by David Bowie or Light My Fire by The Doors.
Anti-hero – Taylor Swift
Definitely the only number one pop song about probate. Swift’s track 2022 describes the reading of a will after her death. Things don’t work out for everyone as planned. “I have this dream my daughter-in-law kills me for the money/ She thinks I left them in the will,” Swift sings. “The family gathers together and reads it/ And then someone screams out/ ‘She’s laughing at us from hell!'” Family members hearing a loved one might hear this as their last song. asking for bad news.
Green Green Grass – George Ezra
I’m surprised this wasn’t on the list although I imagine it will be in a few years. Ezra’s lively song, again from 2022, was inspired by a trip he made to the Caribbean island of St Lucia. Then, he saw a lively street party that was a funeral wake for three. Next to green grass and under a clear blue sky, “you better throw a party on the day I die”, sings Ezra in the earworm chorus. Can death be an affirmation of life? This song suggests so. Pass the rum.
I know it’s over – The Smiths
One for the unfortunate. In fact, The Smiths’ 1986 ballad about loneliness might be so depressing that it makes you feel so bad about dying. Morrissey tells his mother that he can “feel the soil falling away [his] his head” and his empty bed in his metaphorical grave. He is alone and without love. But, and here’s the rub, the song is also incredibly beautiful, with Johnny Marr’s guitar creeping like a graveyard vine around Morrissey’s beautifully mournful lyrics.
We’ll Meet Again – Vera Lynn
Whether you believe in reincarnation or not, I’ve always thought that Vera Lynn’s wartime song could be repurposed for the deathbed to provide succor to all present. It sure is a great sentiment to say to your loved ones as you breathe your last breath that you know “we’ll meet again some sunny day”. This is the song I want at my funeral, although I would choose Johnny Cash’s version, the bone-shaking bass-baritone adding a dollop of fire and fury to the overall message of reassurance.
Let’s Go Together – Grease
Why not go out with an inappropriate number from an orchestra? The final track from Grease is about as sugary, positive, silly and joyful as it gets. There’s a breakdown that fits different family members singing different parts – “Uncle Mungo, you sing the ‘A-boogity-boogity’ line and, Mummy, you take the ‘Ramma-lamma-lammas'” – and it ends with the repeated refrain of “We’ll always be together” which can’t be entirely true but is a nice thought all the same. See also You Give Me a Little Love by Bugsy Malone. Added splurge guns.
Hey, That’s Goodbye – Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen’s 1967 song is about breaking up with someone (obviously – it’s Leonard Cohen). But the late Canadian lothario put a positive spin on the sadness of the breakup, making it a happy glass-half-full song. The main stop of “Your eyes are soft with sadness/ Hey, there’s no way to say goodbye” would be perfect to lift spirits in a situation where we are very sad. Cohen also expresses deep affection for the person he is about to part with. “You know my love goes with you as your love stays with me,” he sings. It’s a nice sentiment.
Rasputin – Boney M
Boney M’s 1978 disco track is guaranteed – guaranteed – to get everyone dancing, from the rolling tom-toms and hand claps at the start to the “Hey-Hey-Hey” intermission two minutes in. If you’re going to shuffle this deadly coil, you might as well get out. jumping around like a vodka-soaked Cossack. And, not to be outdone, Rasputin also dies at the end of the song, so – well – you’ll be in good company on your journey to the pearly gates.
