The hardest thing about planning Dennis’ funeral was deciding the music.  I really wanted the music to reflect him who he was.  In a funny way, I wanted the music to be the last thing he heard.  Special music that he enjoyed, but that also said something to us left behind mourning.

I tortured myself those first few days about the music.  I was mindful of my father’s funeral where we processed down the aisle of the funeral parlour to the too strange sound of Vangelis’ Chariots of Fire.  The urge to mime running in slow motion to our seats was really too much to bear.  I have no idea whether that was my father’s favourite piece of music.  Or if it said anything about how he lived his life, but it sure raised a smile on what was a tense day.

For Dennis, it had to be right.  Inspiration still hadn’t struck as I met the celebrant to talk over the arrangements.  As he was asking questions about what kind of man Dennis was, what he liked, the music changed and slowly a tune penetrated our conversation – Fleetwood Mac’s The Chain.  What are the chances?  Absolutely perfect for our entrance, despite it being a bitter tale of divorce which was nothing like our equally complex relationship.  See, Dennis was a huge F1 fan and everybody knew it.  Monaco was his favourite – loved standing on the hairpin bend.  Equally importantly, the song slowly builds from acoustic to the heavy bass of the F1 tune. Enough time to be sat down and listening to the bit that was important to Dennis, while clicking our fingers.

For his exit, Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here.  And I did.  Dennis loved this song and Pink Floyd.  It always, always made him cry.  It was him; he was living Syd Barrett’s life.  He was intelligent enough to understand his wasted potential and how his life was going to end short, although I know not unfulfilled, in its own way.  Listening to the two songs now, it’s this one that really gets me.  The middle bit brings up the image of Dennis crying and that’s too still hard to bear.

When I go, I don’t want who ever’s left to have to struggle with that bit of the funeral.  Especially as I listen to a wide range of music.  So in an occasional series, I’m going to post some possible contenders.  My funeral playlist, if you will.  Might get them available to my audience (funeral as performance?) to enjoy later.  It’s in no particular order (cos [the] eels would be right up there, more later) but in the order shuffle play brings them to me.

First up, Sermonette by Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions.  I could find a video for that version, but this version by Della Resse is a cracker too.  Just love that rhythm and swing. And that message – it’s a sermon you’ll never forget.