My Funeral Soundtrack - Play it Loud

It's no secret that I'm quirky when it comes to my music choices. Funerals always make me think about what I want played at mine. Go figure, I've written them down over the years. It's time to make it official. I've thought long and hard about my choices and yes, I'm sure.

Welcome to my funeral. Sit down and enjoy some music as the notes wash my soul for the afterlife.

Videos enclosed are not mine. Instead they are the official music video from the corresponding VEVO account. If I could not find the VEVO account for the band, I used my better judgement on video quality.

For as long as I can remember, this song has spoken to me from beyond a grave. That sounds twisted, but it really is a beautiful song... If metal is beautiful to you. It is to me, and this is the only time that Pantera will be a favorite over Corey Taylor for me. This is the song that I want played after they read whatever passages my husband chooses for them to bless me with.

"Say You'll Haunt Me" doubles as a wedding song and a funeral song for me. I didn't walk down the aisle to this song, but I'll be sure that it's there to send my friends off for the rest of their journey. Over the years, it's a song that me and my friends have listened to on long car rides and trips home from places we never should have been in the first place.If Pantera was for me, this track is for my friends.

For those that are more traditional at funerals, I've chosen Josh Groban. His voice is beautiful in this hymn. I'm not sure if that's what it's categorized as, but that's where I place him as I have not ventured too far into religious music. For me, there's country and then there's Josh Groban... but still... that voice. Even if my mom passes before I do, I'll keep this song on the list just becuse I love it now. It's something new to me, even if the song is considered old now.

Since a funeral only has two or three songs, the rest of this list is the after-party playlist. Yes, there's an after-party. With booze, if you choose to partake. To kick it off, "Bring Me to Life" will lift spirits just enough to get ready for some fun during a drastic occasion.

Just for fun (I told you there would be some), my country side comes into play. Even the people in my life that hate country are going to smile when they hear Blake's voice. It's kind of my last chance to make them listen to something country, so this song is as good as any. Blake's an old favorite for me, and although this isn't my favorite song: it's the one that I'm known for.

My best friend didn't get a song at the actual funeral, so here it is. Seether featuring Amy Lee will be the version I play, though Seether on his own is also amazing. It'll be the first song I sing, if I ever get over my stage-fright. It'll mean more then, but even if that never happens it's one of the few songs that we share on our "favorites" list. I can only hope that he takes solace in this song after I've crossed over. Either way, it's a great song for reflection at a reflective event.

I have a few best friends. Though they're equal, they can't be on the spot in a playlist. In high school, we listened to this song every day for almost a year. It describes true friendship and compassion. More importantly, I never forgot it and this track always reminds me of him when I listen to it. When he's far away and I miss him, I play this song to remind me of the great times we've shared together. It's our song. Now it will always be our song, because it will be there, sending him off.

Back when all I listened to was pop music, Hanson was my all-time favorite. In a lot of ways, they still are. There is such truth in all of their lyrics that I can't leave them out of my funeral. Besides that, I have yet another friend that will take comfort in this one. To the rest of the gathering, it's just another sad song. To her, it'll be a message from me. She'll know that I'm always with her, and as a bonus, she's the biggest Hanson fan I know.

By now my funeral guests (most of them) are on their way to their fifth or sixth drink by now. Don't worry, after my Top Seven they'll be able to choose the music and party with whatever tunes they wish. "Call Me" is one of my favorite Shinedown songs and what I thought to be the most appropriate funeral after-party song.

As the last song, I decided to make it both sad and country because from then on it will probably be a lot of rock and roll, rap, and dance music. Keith Urban is as close to my heart as Blake Shelton. Besides being my favorite, the lyrics let them lean on me, if only spiritually, one last time.

I am in no way saying good-bye. I am not sick nor am I depressed. This is simply a list that I've been keeping for a long time and decided was complete enough to share.