Summer is the season of life at its most vital and effervescent. The trees are in full bloom, the air is pregnant with plant sperms (a.k.a. pollen), and the 20-somethings of Brooklyn are out in their skimpiests, sunning their lithe bodies in a joyous expression of youth and beauty. What better time than to poll our cityâs most promising about their funeral arrangements? Like a grim reaper with a dictaphone in place of a scythe, we descended upon Williamsburgâs McCarren Park to ask: Whatâs the soundtrack for your journey into the great unknown? What song would you want played at your funeral? Be sure to leave your track picks in the comments, future deceased people.
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L to R: Sarah, Eviv, ZakWhat song would you like played at your funeral?
Sarah: Definitely "Mr. Blue Sky."By ELO. Optimistic, nice.What about you?
Eviv: I would have to say "Adamâs Song" by Blink 182. Me and my best friend, when we were 5 years oldâor however old we wereâdecided that we would play that at each otherâs funeral.So you made a pact, at age 5âŠHow did you plan on attending each other's funerals?
We just would. It was a pact.And you, sir?
Zak: âGrind With Meâ by Pretty Ricky.And whyâs that?
Because itâs the best song ever written.
Brooke and LeahSay you were dead and it was your funeral, what song would you want playing on the stereo?
Brooke: âDonât Fear the Reaper,â Blue Oyster Cult.Okay okay, a little obvious. Any particular reason for that song?
Because itâs not sad, itâs badass.And you, miss. What song would you like played at your own funeral?
Leah: âStairway to Heaven,â Led Zeppelin. Because I might not go to heaven.Why not?
What if thereâs no Heaven? What if I donât meet the criteria?What if there is a Heaven? Why wouldnât you meet the criteria?
Itâs going to take me another lifetime to atone for all my sins. I could come back as a squirrel in McCarren Park.What if McCarren Park is Heaven? What if McCarren park is Hell?
Sometimes, I wonder.
CoryImagine you are the DJ at your own funeral. What song do you play?
Cory: âParty All The Timeâ [by Rick James and Eddie Murphy]. Itâs just my personality. My friends would just start cracking up when they heard it. Thatâs all I care about. Entertainment.
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MorganYou look like youâre in the prime of life. Would you care to tell Noisey what song youâd like played at your funeral?
Morgan: Maybe a Patti Smith song. I havenât listened to her in a while, but I just like her.Then why her?
I wouldnât play the pop songs I listen to. Patti Smith is just more down to earth.What pop song would be most inappropriate for your funeral?
"Call Me Maybe." I think it would be out of place at a funeral.Hey, itâs your funeral.
AliceAssuming you were dead, and it was your funeral, what song would you want on the speakers?
Alice: âBoom Biddy Bye Byeâ by Cypress Hill. I like the irony.
StevenI donât know what it says in your will, but in the section marked "Song to be played at the funeral services," what would you put?
Steven: âPale Blue Eyesâ by The Velvet Underground.Any reason why?
It always has been. I had that conversation in high school once.
ChrisWhat song would you want played at your wake?
Chris: Some song with the "brown note" in it. Are there any songs with the brown note in it?The sonic frequency that makes you shit your pants? I have a feeling that any song like that probably wouldnât do very well on the pop charts.
I donât want people to have a good time.So you want people to suffer?
Yeah. Just the brown note and a bunch of static and noise, for about 10 minutes. That seems like a reasonable amount of time.
BenImagine you were dead, what song would you want played at your funeral?
Ben: "Be A Star" by Tyra Banks. Sheâs my thinspiration.I guess youâre shooting for skeletal then?
Yeah.@jshmsh
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