Column: Funeral Songs

Tony Naylor on The Guardian talks about funeral songs following the publication of a list which showed the top ten most requested at a cemetery in Adelaide and the ten most unusual choices.

Topping the list, naturally, is ‘My Way’, a fairly predictable but solid choice, a decent two-fingers-to-death kind of song saying that I may be dying, but I don’t care because I did everything I wanted the way I wanted. You’ve also got ‘What a Wonderful World’, ‘Time to Say Goodbye’ and ‘Unforgettable’, the latter seeming maybe a little ego-filled but hell, it’s your funeral and if you can’t blow your own trumpet there without fear of consternation then this is indeed a dark world.

Outside of that, there are more modern staples in the UK, most notably ‘Goodbye My Lover’ by James Blunt. All seriousness, I lose it enough to have James Blunt playing at my funeral, kill me again. ‘Angels’ by Robbie is another popular one, as is ‘With or Without You’ by U2. The Robbie one is a little too life-affirming for me (‘I know that life won’t break me’ is pretty redundant when you’re in a box) and ‘With or Without You’, a paean to the difficulties of relationships, it’s a beautiful song but for a funeral… hmmm. ‘Tears in Heaven’ by Clapton is about the only one that makes sense and isn’t overly mawkish, a pretty lovely and heartfelt song about the devastating death of a loved one.

After The Linkrush

Pitchfork interviews Johnny Greenwood.

And it gives justified praise to the re-release of Lemonheads’ It’s A Shame About Ray.

The AV Club quite liked Stop-Loss.

USA Today interviews John Krasinski.

The New Republic’s movie critic wrote his review of 21 based on the trailer as reaction against trailers being too long and giving away the whole movie nowadays. Testify!

The Guardian interviews cinematographer Roger Deakins on his finest achievements.

A movie version of The Hills?

Could Pete Doherty be a scientologist? (Thanks PopSugar UK!)

Annie Liebovitz may be in a little bother over the LeBron James piccy.

Superhero Movie is aiming to outdo Horton.

Free Dr Pepper all round if Chinese Democracy arrives by year’s end.

Plant says further live Zeppelin is a possibility.

Nick Cave has earned an honorary PhD.

Are muffins the new CDs?

Dutch filmmaker Geert Wilders has been condemned by Iran, Pakistan and Indonesia for his short video, ‘Fitna’.

Yet more Ellen Page films in the wake of Juno. Here’s the trailer for The Tracey Fragments.

Jingle Links

  

The AV Club notes movies which use violence to bring festiveness to one and all.

PopMatters reveals its favourite albums of 2007.

Albums of the year too from a few critical luminaries on Slate.

Led Zeppelin returned and Sasha offers an opinion.

Pamela Anderson is getting divorced. Again. After only 72 days. From a person whose only claim to fame is that he has video evidence that he schtupped (‘schtupped’? – Beth) Paris Hilton. Which is not something to be proud of. PopSugar, take over Oh. Or are they actually divorcing after all?... Everything changes so quickly!

A little bit of Milo for you? Entertainment Weekly delivers.

John Krasinski and George Clooney. In one movie. “Orgasmic,” says Tom.

Chris DeBurgh is to make history in Iran. Haven’t the West pissed them off enough?

PopJustice has been rendered speechless by Leon winning The X Factor.

Prepare never to eat a Cadbury’s Flake again. Joss Stone is the new face of them.. Hmm.

Link Link Baby

Bright Eyes talks to The AV Club. He really should cover the Art Garfunkel tune.

PopMatters highlights some hip hop tuneage for your delectation.

Sasha Frere-Jones likes slow jams with his mocha-latte.

Paul Rudd + Jason Segel = me looking forward to a movie.

You may have heard that Led Zeppelin reunited last night. Here’s an okay video of ‘Stairway to Heaven’.

A few photos from the Portishead-curated ATP for you. John from Rate This Day will review soon.

Time has released a list of its top ten graphic novels for the year.

The Olsens are being lambasted by PETA... what do you think of their campaign?

Breaking news… Rhys Ifans and Sienna Miller occasionally shop at Tescos.

Ex-X-Factor presenter and editor of quality old-skool pop bible Smash Hits is pregnant, and QI‘s Alan Davies attacked a homeless man by chomping on his ear. Weird.

Also though, check out this really moving and beautifully judged online comic concerning New Orleans and Katrina.

And finally, check out this Pippi Longstocking t-shirt from Topshop! Ahh, childhood memories! While we’re at it, this bag is rather yummy and Prada-esque…