Pop, Rock & Country Memorial Songs
Many of the songs written within the past 50 years
Songs for Memorials and Tributes, Make it personal for the individual. Maybe you just want to listen to some songs because it's someone's birthday or the anniversary of a day that you lost someone special.
The older we've gotten the more often we've been involved in planning remembrances.
Sometimes we can't think of what to say, can't think of a song. Several of these songs memorialize and celebrate the people's lives.
Is this for a soldier, a family member, was it a sudden death, the death of a child, your partner?
Inspiration from: Paul McCartney, the members of Monty Python, the friends and colleagues of Jim Henson, more.
Will it be an indoor/outdoor service?
Songs written for...
- Losing a parent, grandparent, sibling, friend
- Loss of a child, miscarriage
- Saluting a hero, soldier
- Following sudden deaths, losing someone unexpectedly
- Paul McCartney sings for John Lennon
- Memorial services of prominent people such as Jim Henson and Graham Chapman of Monty Python
- Judy Garland sings Battle Hymn of the Republic honoring President Kennedy 1963
- There's a link to main page with ideas, examples and lists of songs
Seek help from films and movie soundtracks. Think of favorite movies that have the tone you’re looking for if you need help choosing a song. If you want something that will be meaningful to children, several Disney films incorporate separation, loss of a partner, family member, friend and/or a pet. Are there familiar songs in those movies?
Loss of a Parent, Grandparent:
Me and the Wildwood Rose, Carlene Carter 1990 (Written about the death of her grandmother, Maybelle Carter)
Tears in the Holston River, Johnny Cash (Written about the death of Mother Maybelle Carter)
Silent House, Dixie Chicks
Little Willow, Paul McCartney written upon the death of Ringo Starr's first wife, Maureen, who died of cancer. The song was to be a comfort to their children.
Dance With My Father, Luther Vandross
Baby Girl Window, Robbie Williams (was inspired by Samantha Beckinsale and her late father, actor Richard Beckinsale):
excerpt:
I wish you would stay to see what she made of herself
People say you were gone too soon
I see your face when flowers bloom
Through her window
Your baby girl's window
Family Reserve, Lyle Lovett (mentions family and friends)
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At the funeral of actress Jean Harlow in June 1937,
Jeanette MacDonald sang The Indian Love Call and
Nelson Eddy sang Ah Sweet Mystery of Life. An organ played Tchaikovsky's None but the Lonely Heart.
Jean Harlow 11x14" Photo Print
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Losing Children, Miscarriage:
Tears In Heaven, Eric Clapton: The song was written about the pain and loss felt following the death of his four-year-old son, Conor.
I Give You to His Heart, Alison Krauss
Spark, Tori Amos wrote this following a tragic miscarriage
Saluting a hero, a soldier:
Just A Dream, Carrie Underwood, A wife losing her soldier husband, lost chance to grow old together
If You’re Reading This, Tim McGraw, A letter from a soldier to his (pregnant) wife. She’s reading it after he’s died.
International Firefighters Day is in May On days like these and
every day honor all brave folks who risk their lives for others,
including volunteers, retired men & women every day of the year.
* The Bravest, Tom Paxton, Fire Fighters 9/11 Heroes on many occasions
* Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning) Alan Jackson, 9/11 Tribute
* Davey's Last Picture, Nanci Griffith
* I Still Miss Someone, Johnny Cash (as with many of these, other artists have versions of this song)
The Loss of a Sibling or Friend:
* I Drive Your Truck, Lee Brice (the death of a brother)
* Who You'd Be Today Kenny Chesney
* Here Today, Paul McCartney written for John Lennon (see video below)
* Never Without You, Ringo Starr wrote for George Harrison
* An Original Man (A Song for Keith) by The Yardbirds. Chris Dreja wrote this as a tribute for singer Keith Relf who was killed in an accident
* Fix You, Coldplay (featured at a funeral on the British Comedy Drama, William and Mary)
A friend went to a memorial service not long ago and was faced with walking on grass in her high heeled shoes. I'd read about these high heel covers. People like them for weddings and picnics. How about other outdoor events. Many of them come with little pouches to carry them in your purse.
Heels Above High Heel Protector 4 Pack- Clear
Heels Above is just one version of high heel protector that's on the market. There are others like Starlettos Crystal High Heel Protectors.
Young@Heart "Wish You Were Here" Pink Floyd
Songs following sudden deaths, losing someone unexpectedly:
* Wish You Were Here, Mark Wills Deals with the issue of Sudden Death
In this case tells the story of a plane crash, the husband who died is talking to and comforting his wife who survives him.
excerpt:
Wish you were here, wish you could see this place
Wish you were near, I wish I could touch your face
The weather's nice, it's paradise
It's summertime all year and there's some folks we know
They say, Hello. I miss you so, wish you were here.
Reba McEntire dedicated her album, For My Broken Heart
, to her road band, most of
whom had been killed in an airplane crash.
Songs include If I Had Only Known, All Dressed Up (with Nowhere to Go) and The Greatest Man I Never Knew. Songs are about many life changes, losing parents, aging, family relationships in general. It is a thoughtful, heartbreaking collection of songs but you may have a good cry.
For much more:
There are more songs and ideas at the main page:
Tributes, Choosing Songs for Events, Remembering Loved Ones, Heroes; Memorials at Weddings, Family Gatherings
We've had the unfortunate experience of having to help plan memorial services suddenly and we've planned them under other circumstances. You want to do right by the individual and everyone is different. There is likely to be a variety of people at a memorial service.
Make it Personal: Big Bird sang at Jim Henson's Memorial Service. Are there favorite songs, songs associated with the person, songs sung by the person you can play on video or audio? Including something uplifting and light, reminiscent of the person's sense of humor may be appropriate.
We have friends who have more than one memorial with different groups of family and friends. That way you can have a different kind of tribute at different times and different locations.
Here's a short selection of songs that have been sung live at services and/or used for video montages:
* In the Embers, Sleeping at Last
* Before You Go, OK Sweetheart
* Wait, M83
* I Will Remember You, Sarah McLachlan
* Press On, Robinella
* To Live Is To Fly, Townes Van Zandt
* All I Want by Kodaline
* Headlights, Sophie Hunger
* The Dance, Garth Brooks
* The Cowboy Rides Away, George Strait
* Goodbye, Alabama
* Slipping Away, Max Merritt
* What I Already Know, Point of Grace
* Somewhere Over the Rainbow
* He Stopped Loving Her Today, Alan Jackson sang at memorial for George Jones
We can be inspired by the ideas of artists, maybe choose something written by / for songwriters and singers we admire. The song(s) and tone should be appropriate to the person and your relationship.
At Graham Chapman's Memorial Service in December 1989, fellow Monty Python cast-mates and other friends sang, Always Look on the Bright Side of Life. John Cleese delivered a eulogy. (see video below)
Paul McCartney and John Lennon met over 55 years ago. Are you a Beatles fan?...
Here Today
Lyrics excerpts below...
And if I say I really knew you well
what would your answer be
if you were here today
Ooh- Ooh- Ooh- here today
well knowing you,
you’d probably laugh and say that we were worlds apart
if you were here today
Ooh- Ooh- Ooh- here today
But as for me,
I still remember how it was before
and I am holding back the tears no more
Ooh- Ooh- Ooh- I love lou, Ooh ….
Didn’t understand a thing
but we could always sing …..
And if I say I really loved you
and was glad you came along
If you were here today
Ooh- Ooh- Ooh- for you were in my song
Ooh- Ooh- Ooh- Here Today
Coronation Street
actress, Betty Driver had pre-planned much of her own service. It
included playing a recording of her singing a song herself at a certain
point. The song got a standing ovation.
The memorial for legendary puppeteer, film director, writer and producer Jim Henson is inspirational. Song choices were beautiful. May 21, 1990.
The Muppet films have a loyal following as do other Henson film projects such as The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth. What an amazingly talented man, family and organization. Jim Henson's Creature Shop is now on the SyFy channel.
* When The River Meets the Sea, John Denver
* Bring Him Home from Les Miserables
Turn the World Around, Harry Belafonte * The Rainbow Connection; audio recording of Jim Henson's was played
* It's not easy bein' green (Kermit the Frog, The Muppets)
Just One Person (Sesame Street song)
excerpt:
If just one person believes in you,
Deep enough, and strong enough, believes in you...
Hard enough, and long enough,
It stands to reason, that someone else will think
"If he can do it, I can do it."
At Graham Chapman’s Memorial Service in December 1989, Monty Python cast-mates and other friends sang, Always Look on the Bright Side of Life. John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Jones, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam.
John Cleese and Michael Palin spoke at the memorial for fellow Monty Python member Graham Chapman
2013 was the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President Kennedy
Judy Garland's television show ran 1963-1964
She sang Battle Hymn of the Republic to commemorate the death of JFK at the close of the show no. 16 on December 13, 1963. Cheers echoed throughout Studio 43 and a standing ovation followed.
-- excerpt from video description
When Judy Garland died in 1969, the mourners at her funeral joined in singing the Battle Hymn of the Republic at her funeral.
Judy Garland sings Battle Hymn of the Republic, death of President Kennedy, Dec. 13, 1963
Related Pages of Interest:
Engravable Frames : Signature Frames Beautiful memory frame with permanent signatures from family and friends : The ultimate Guestbook Alternative
10 Songs for Second Weddings-Successful Second Marriages
The Death of Jean Harlow: Goodnight, my Dearest Darling
Final Films of Legendary Actors: Clark Gable, Marilyn Monroe, The Misfits; Tyrone Power Gable's son's baptism
Honoring a deceased parent, grandparent, friend in a wedding ceremony Choose design, Create Pendants, Lockets, necklaces, for your bouquet...
Create your own design it myself use my art photos, text necklaces
writing: 'All my nostalgia is for tomorrow, not for any
yesterdays...There's nothing I regret or would change. If it hadn't been
for the pain I wouldn't be me. I like very much being me.'" 
