Release of a music chart’s top 10 tunes for 2021 that has got me thinking...
PLANNING is everything – and, trust me, when it comes to funerals it is best to plan ahead.
The mischievous side of me is toying with the idea of “going out” to Highway to Hell by AC/DC or Another One Bites the Dust by Queen.
There’s something comforting in knowing mourners will break into a wry smile or even a chuckle.
Of course, nothing final has been committed to paper yet (I don’t anticipate shuffling off this mortal coil soon) – but the release of the Top 10 funeral music charts for 2021 has got me thinking.
The latest UK funeral charts reveal that Frank Sinatra’s My Way has been deposed from the top spot and the Top 10 marks the arrival of more contemporary funeral favourites. Imagine the Top of the Pops chart countdown music in your head as I give you the Top 10... 10. This is Me – The Greatest Showman 9. We’ll Meet Again – Vera Lynn 8. Somewhere Over the Rainbow – Eva Cassidy 7. The Chain – Fleetwood Mac 6. Time to Say Goodbye – Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman 5. Supermarket Flowers – Ed
Sheeran 4. Simply the Best – Tina Turner 3. Always Look on the Bright Side of Life – Eric Idle 2. My Way – Frank Sinatra
... and (cue drum roll) ... 1. You’ll Never Walk Alone – Gerry and the Pacemakers
I quite like the No 1 – if only for the fact that the band’s name will serve as a reminder to remove the pacemaker before the oven.
My shortlist for funeral music is (gradually) being narrowed down.
Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer aka Cwm Rhondda aka Bread of Heaven is there, of course.
Mainly because it always stirs the soul, but also because it always amuses me when congregations at “The Crem” get in a muddle over who should sing the “repeat” on “Feed me now and evermore” line.
The great Ryan Davies has three slots on my shortlist:
His great duet with Ronnie Williams on Pan Fo’r Nos yn Hir
Myfanwy (the greatest love song that has ever been written) from Ryan’s famous concert at the Top Rank in Swansea
Ar Hyd y Nos from “Ryan at the Rank”
Also on the list is Côr Meibion Llanelli Male Voice Choir singing Robat Arwyn’s Anfonaf Angel. One day (not yet, not yet), I’ll make the final choices. If you’re looking for the list, it’ll be on top of the piano!