Pearl Jam-inspired wake
SteveKZ087
Posts: 5
Like many of you (I've no doubt), I have spent most of my life gathered around the stereo with good friends listening to music, often sharing important, inspired, moving songs that have changed our lives in some way or another.
The good Buddhist that I am, I think a lot about the impermanence of life and the fact that sooner or later I will pass from this existence. I really hate the concept of funerals and memorial services as they typically exist in American culture, so I have been dreaming up what my own wake should be like.
I have decided that I will have a pre-arranged set list of 30-45 minutes of music - each song with an accompanying introduction narration that I will write and leave behind so that I can share some of the most meaningful music in my life to my family and friends one final time. An easy decision for me, I've come to the conclusion that there is no better soundtrack to this whole thing (and, indeed, my life) than Pearl Jam.
I've already picked a lot of my songs out. The set is mostly full of profound ballads with personal life ties. (Think, "Release," "Off He Goes," etc.)
So the question is this:
I'm curious what PJ songs you would play in a similar circumstance? If you were putting together a short set list of meaningful Pearl Jam music to share with family and friends at your wake, what tracks would you pick?
The good Buddhist that I am, I think a lot about the impermanence of life and the fact that sooner or later I will pass from this existence. I really hate the concept of funerals and memorial services as they typically exist in American culture, so I have been dreaming up what my own wake should be like.
I have decided that I will have a pre-arranged set list of 30-45 minutes of music - each song with an accompanying introduction narration that I will write and leave behind so that I can share some of the most meaningful music in my life to my family and friends one final time. An easy decision for me, I've come to the conclusion that there is no better soundtrack to this whole thing (and, indeed, my life) than Pearl Jam.
I've already picked a lot of my songs out. The set is mostly full of profound ballads with personal life ties. (Think, "Release," "Off He Goes," etc.)
So the question is this:
I'm curious what PJ songs you would play in a similar circumstance? If you were putting together a short set list of meaningful Pearl Jam music to share with family and friends at your wake, what tracks would you pick?
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments
I already told my wife I want 'I am Mine' played once I'm off, that is the only PJ song on my list, which otherwise consists of other pieces of music that made and or makes sense to me. Not all suited for the church or where ever they decide to to park me, but very suitable if I get my way and have my ashes shot out of a cannon over the beautiful lakes of my birthplace. Which is not allowed sadly - cannons nor ash-spreading over non-salty/sea water. But once the beer start flowing and 'Where Ever I May Roam' blasts off, I am sure someone will find a cannon somewhere.
In My Tree
Sleight of Hand
Present Tense
Off the top of my head, those are the ones I can think of. Mostly it would be songs of theirs that I loved that I listen to often but also seem fitting for a wake...
That's exactly my approach. "In My Tree" and "Present Tense" made my list as well. No Code is maybe my favorite record of all.
"Doo do do do doo do doo, Doo do do do doo do doo..."
I have such a hard time picking a "favourite" as every time I listen to a different album I think, "Okay - this one is my favourite." And then I listen to another album and THAT one becomes my favourite. There's really just no winning.
I do think that No Code is by far my most listened to album though. It's just so solid, start to finish! (Though - which album isn't?
I have thought about the same, and how much their music means to me in so many different ways, it would be really hard for me to pick a "short" list of songs. If anything, when I die, I think I would want to have all of their music played (Studio versions for sound quality) on random.
I identify with so much of their music it would be hard for me to pick a small group of songs that encapsulates how it made me feel, what it represented to me, and the impression that I would want to leave on others. I think I would need all of their music to do that. If there was a viewing, a wake, even for the distribution of my ashes, I would want to have their music playing in the background. Perhaps certain songs would be more appropriate for portions of the events, but a short list just wouldn't cut it. - I need the whole catalog.
There's just so many words that describe their music and it's impact on my life... please feel free to add more descriptors...
Love
Redemption
Rebellion
Insight
Perspective
Religion
Anger
Joy
Devastation
Sheer Ecstasy
Hope
Idealism
Regret
Angst
After-life
The Past
The Future
...there are so many gifts that their music has to give... and I hope that my life can be representative of all the attributes that their music embodies... and leave behind a sense of hope and possibility!
Bonnaroo 6/14/08 Spectrum 10/30/09 Spectrum 10/31/09 Atlanta 9/22/12 Wrigley 7/19/13
Baltimore 10/27/13 Charlottesville 10/29/13 Charlotte 10/30/13 OKC 11/16/13
St. Louis 10/03/14 Greenville 4/16/16 Hampton 4/18/16
Columbia 4/21/16 Wrigley 8/18/18
I also explained why this version is special to me.
So fitting. Every sunrise I see I think of her and my Dad.
I am so thankful for EV's lyrics.