The Departed

This week it’s my turn to set the PSS theme. I’m very passionate about music and how it speaks to the human soul. I feel I can learn a lot from someone by the music they enjoy. This being the case, I decided to set the theme this week around music; specifically by which music would you like your friends and family to remember you (or play at your funeral). Yes, I’m still in the dark mood. This one is lasting longer than normal, but hopefully I’ll be out of the fog soon. In the meantime, here are the songs by which I would like to be remembered, and why.

Song: “The Departed Tango” - Howard Shore
Why: It’s unexpectedly upbeat, dramatic and top-tapping. Good strong start to an otherwise depressing mix.

Song: “Let it Be” - Across the Universe: Gospel / Soul version: Carol Woods; Timothy Mitchum
Why: If your heart isn’t moved by this song, you are made of stone. (Why not the original? This one is better!)

Song: Hey You - Pink Floyd
Why: Always been one of my favorite Pink Floyd songs.  Speaks to my loner / outsider / introverted personality.

Song: We Close our Eyes: Boingo
Why: An amazing and surprising love song from Boingo.  “I looked death in the face last night, I saw him in a mirror and he simply smiled; He told me not to worry; He told me just to take my time”.

Song: Temptation: Moby
Why: All around beautiful song.  Almost hymn-like in it’s melodic and sorrowful tones.  Walking alone. finding my way “home”.

Song: Golden Slumber: The Beatles
Why: A goodbye message to my wife and daughter.  “Sleep pretty darling, do not cry.  And I will sing a lullaby”.

Song: I Need Some Sleep: Eels
Why: Finally my journey is at it’s end, and frankly I’m tired. “Just gotta let it go…”

Song: Sleeping Lessons: The Shins
Why: Sounds like the music you would hear after you die and start traveling “home”.

Song: Mad World (Donnie Darko remix): Michael Andrews
Why: A poetic and somber look at the insanity and madness of the world I’ve just departed

Song: New Slag: The Shins
Why: Because this song will change your life.
Song:  Til Kingdom Come: Coldplay
Why: A touching tribute to the power of love across time, space and death.

Song: Because: (Across the Universe edition) (Near-entire cast)
Why: An outstanding cover of the original, truly a work of art.  Beautiful melodic and dreamlike.  Do we dream when we die?

Song: Try to Believe: Boingo
Why: Another little-known surprise from Boingo.  Upbeat, happy and hopeful a good closer to go out on.

If we listen to the voices that were silent for so long
If you thought they went away, well you couldn’t be more wrong
If I tell you there is something that we’ve lost but can retrieve
If I tell you there is hope, if we try to believe
You remember there’s a dream that we long since put aside
With the toys that we discarded
And the tears we never cried
We could have had it once again, if we try baby try