These songs could also be hits… however that does not imply they need to be performed at each occasion, particularly not funerals.
Time and place are necessary components to think about in terms of these songs, just like the Bee Gees’ disco traditional “Stayin’ Alive.”
Yeah, most likely finest to keep away from that one at a funeral.
Additionally, some songs might come throughout with main hater vitality. Think about listening to “Since U Been Gone” blaring at a funeral––awkward!
READ MORE: Music Lyrics That Would Get Artists Arrested in Actual Life
Whereas songs reminiscent of Justin Bieber‘s “Die in Your Arms” are heartfelt in different conditions, the title and the lyrics are a little bit too on the nostril.
Alternatively, some folks might select to play upbeat music as a celebration of life. Nonetheless, jams like “HOT TO GO!” by Chappell Roan or “Life Is a Freeway” by Rascal Flatts might not precisely ship the best message for a funeral.
Beneath, learn on to seek out out what songs it is best to undoubtedly keep away from enjoying at a funeral.
“Stayin’ Alive,” Bee Gees
Nothing sounds worse than the considered mourning a beloved one whereas the Bee Gees’ peppy, ultra-catchy “Stayin’ Alive” performs. Until, after all, the deceased particular person had an incredible humorousness. If not, enjoying this at a funeral can be ah-ah-ah-ah-awful.
“Die Younger,” Kesha
“Let’s benefit from the evening like we’re gonna die younger” is an effective sentiment for dwelling your life to the fullest in Kesha’s “Die Younger.” Besides what if the track lyrics had been true? It turns into much less of a YOLO vibe and extra of a downer.
“One other One Bites the Mud,” Queen
Whereas “One other One Bites the Mud” by Queen is an iconic rock track used at many sporting occasions, it is best to most likely not play this track at a funeral. It could be a bop with a fab beat, however listening to this track at a funeral would undoubtedly be insensitive.
“Freeway to Hell,” AC/DC
Whereas the title of AC/DC’s “Freeway to Hell” undoubtedly looks as if a track you’d need to play at your enemy’s funeral, the lyrics lean into the potential “occasion” of the afterlife. “Goin’ down / Occasion time / My pals are gonna be there too,” the band sings. Yeah, most likely finest to keep away from this one.
“Anyone That I Used to Know,” Gotye
Whereas true in a flippant kind of manner, “Anyone That I Used to Know” by Gotye being performed at a funeral would simply be downright chilly. Gotye singing, “Now you are simply anyone that I used to know,” appears particularly merciless. They’re useless… not forgotten!
“Survivor,” Future’s Baby
Whereas enjoying “Survivor” by Future’s Baby at a funeral may be tongue-in-cheek if in case you have a darkish humorousness, not everybody would recognize the irony. “I’m a survivor, I’m gonna make it, I’ll survive,” is a brutal reminder of dying to listen to throughout a funeral.
“Bye Bye Bye,” *NSYNC
“I wanna see you out that door, child, bye bye bye,” sung by *NSYNC at a funeral is lowkey wild however possibly becoming if the deceased particular person is somebody you hated? Nonetheless, the on-the-nose lyrics and danceable pop music don’t appear to be the most effective match for a funeral.
“Since U Been Gone,” Kelly Clarkson
In the identical vein as “Bye Bye Bye,” Kelly Clarkson’s legendary breakup anthem “Since U Been Gone” can be a little bit surprising to listen to at a funeral. Think about being at a funeral and listening to “Because you been gone / I can breathe for the primary time.” Okay, impolite?
“Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You),” Kelly Clarkson
“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger…” besides when it does. Enjoying “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” by Kelly Clarkson at a funeral can be peak irony. No have to pour salt within the wound!
“Stay Whereas We’re Younger,” One Route
No person desires to hearken to baby-faced 1D sing about “getting some” and dwelling whereas we’re younger at a funeral, particularly if the one that died is gone too quickly. Until the particular person was an enormous Directioner? Even so, it’s most likely finest to keep away from this one.
“Die in Your Arms,” Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber’s romantic 2012 ballad about dying within the arms of a lover is a fantastic track, however let’s possibly put it aside for a much less somber day. “Each time you contact me I simply / Die in your arms,” is just not the most effective line to listen to at a funeral.
“I’m Alive,” Celine Dion
This one’s fairly apparent… It ought to go with out saying that you just shouldn’t play a track referred to as “I’m Alive,” concerning the joys of dwelling, throughout a funeral through which the particular person is… not alive. Celine Dion’s “I’m Alive” is an actual mood-booster, nevertheless it’s all about time and place.
“A Little Occasion By no means Killed No person,” Fergie
“A Little Occasion By no means Killed No person” … except after all it did. Fergie’s Nice Gatsby banger is a good choose for any celebration, besides a funeral. More often than not, folks aren’t actually within the temper to bop till they drop on such a troublesome day.
“Coronary heart Assault,” Demi Lovato
Coronary heart assaults are one of many main causes of dying on the earth, so enjoying Demi Lovato’s “Coronary heart Assault” would for certain twist the knife. If this was performed on the funeral of somebody who handed away from a heart-related situation, it will rapidly grow to be a meme.
“Locked Out of Heaven,” Bruno Mars
For individuals who consider in an afterlife in heaven, you undoubtedly need to block Bruno Mars’ “Locked Out of Heaven” from the funeral playlist. The title is self-explanatory… don’t convey down the vibe with a foul omen like that.
“Life Is a Freeway,” Rascal Flatts
“Life Is a Freeway” by Rascal Flatts factors out that life is fleeting, which might be not what you need to be reminded of whereas in mourning. “There’s at some point right here and the subsequent day gone,” they sing earlier than belting out, “Life is a freeway / I wanna drive all of it evening lengthy.”
“Methods to Save a Life,” The Fray
Clocking in as one of many saddest songs ever made, this ballad by the Fray would take a funeral from miserable to devastating rapidly. “I’d have stayed up with you all evening / Had I identified tips on how to save a life,” the lead singer laments.
“Stay Your Life,” T.I. and Rihanna
“Simply dwell your life / No tellin’ the place it’ll take ya,” Rihanna sings on this iconic T.I. collaboration. Which is nice for folks on the lookout for inspiration, however not so nice for folks mourning an individual who can not “simply dwell their life.”
“HOT TO GO!,” Chappell Roan
Chappell Roan’s large hit “HOT TO GO!” is certainly a crowd-pleaser – particularly with that lovely choreography. But it surely most likely wouldn’t please the gang at a funeral to listen to about somebody being “sizzling to go” in any context.
“I Don’t Wanna Stay Without end,” Zayn and Taylor Swift
“I Don’t Wanna Stay Without end” by Zayn and Taylor Swift options the pair duetting about ready for a lover to “come again house” as a result of they don’t need to dwell perpetually with out them. On condition that it’s a Fifty Shades Darker soundtrack track with an ironic title for a funeral, it’s finest prevented.
“Breathin,” Ariana Grande
On “Breathin,” Ariana Grande reminds listeners to “simply maintain breathin’” by means of life’s struggles. Whereas it may be a superb reminder for the folks mourning at a funeral, it’s a troublesome capsule to swallow whenever you understand the deceased particular person gained’t be capable of “maintain breathin’” anymore.
“No One Mourns the Depraved,” Ariana Grande and the Depraved Forged
It’s exhausting to think about a funeral that will really warrant a track like “No One Mourns the Depraved” when even the literal “Depraved Witch” didn’t deserve it. The opening track from Depraved describes how “the depraved die alone” and “pleasure all through the land” spreads due to the dying of the witch. Yikes!
“Goodbye to You,” Scandal and Patty Smyth
Scandal’s single “Goodbye to You” is an upbeat breakup track, with Patty Smyth singing “Guess it’s higher to say goodbye to you” with a smile on her face. No person feels cheerful or liberated at a funeral.
Oldest Working Singers in Music
From Willie Nelson to Bruce Springsteen, see the oldest working singers, musicians and performers, beneath.
Editor’s observe: The ages listed on this gallery are as of February 2025.
Gallery Credit score: Taylor Alexis Heady