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THE FINAL PLAYLIST

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Jim at Song Lyric Sunday has asked us today to name a song we’d like to have played at our funeral. Well, I don’t want a funeral – a small gathering after my cremation will suffice – but I’ve always had music in my life so why not in death?

Truth be told, I already have a playlist prepared when I “shuffle off this mortal coil”. It wasn’t easy to choose the songs – not because I was getting verklempt but because there are just too many songs I love. However, there’s one special song that has always meant a great deal to me and it only seems appropriate.

I’m talking about “In My Life” by The Beatles.

The song is said to be based on John Lennon’s life; he wrote most of the lyrics after writing his book “In His Own Write”. The lyrics about friends refer to Stu Sutcliffe, an early Beatle and great friend of John’s who died in 1962, and a school mate named Pete Shotton. John also thought of his Aunt Mimi (who raised him), his wife Cynthia and his mother Julia who in 1958 was knocked down and killed by a car driven by an off-duty policeman.

When The Beatles recorded the song, they left an opening in the middle for the instrumental break. Producer George Martin filled it in by playing a piano solo and speeding up the tape to make it sound like a harpsichord, giving the song a baroque feel and inspiring pop music producers to use harpsichords and other similar instruments in their future arrangements.

“In My Life” is found on The Beatles’ “Rubber Soul” album; it was voted the best song of all time by a panel of songwriters in a 2000 Mojo magazine poll. Rolling Stone magazine ranked “In My Life” number 23 on its 2004 list of “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” as well as fifth on its list of The Beatles’ “100 Greatest Songs”. The song placed second on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s “50 Tracks“. According to Acclaimed Music, as of 2020 it was the 194th most celebrated song in popular music history. Judy Collins, Ozzy Osbourne, James Taylor, Johnny Cash, Rod Stewart, Bette Midler, Diana Krall and Boyz II Men are among the many artists who have recorded covers.

“A little piece of artwork” was the way John referred to “In My Life”. I feel the same way; I have a framed copy of the lyrics in my bedroom – see my graphic above. There isn’t one word in that song that does not resonate profoundly with me. The musical accompaniment, in my opinion, could not be a better match. “In My Life” is just one more example of why The Beatles are and always will be the greatest musical group to ever grace this planet.

There’s a good chance you know all the words to this song; I certainly do – they are carved into my heart. I hope whoever is at my celebration of life will sing along with this touching and beautiful song.

NAR © 2023

Life After Death

 

IN MY LIFE

There are places I’ll remember
All my life though some have changed
Some have gone and some remain
All these places had their moments
With lovers and friends, I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life, I’ve loved them all

But of all these friends and lovers
There is no one compares with you
And these memories lose their meaning
When I think of love as something new
Though I know I’ll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I’ll often stop and think about them
In my life, I’ll love you more

Though I know I’ll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I’ll often stop and think about them
In my life, I’ll love you more.

In my life, I’ll love you more.

Lyrics powered by www.musixmatch.com

Written by: Lennon-McCartney
Recorded: October 18-22, 1965
Producer: George Margin
Engineer: Norman Smith
Released: December 3, 1965 (UK) December 6, 1965 (US)
Available on: Rubber Soul

PERSONNEL –
John Lennon: vocals, rhythm guitar
Paul McCartney: harmony vocals, bass
George Harrison: harmony vocals, lead guitar
Ringo Starr: drums
George Martin: piano, tambourine

30 thoughts on “THE FINAL PLAYLIST”

  5. Mi hai toccato tutte le corde del cuore, cara… quindi, in italiano scrivo – non molti andranno a tradurre.

    Sai che sarò anche cremato… (dannazione, non riesco a superare quello che è successo ad Andrew)

    Mi piace che tu abbia trovato una canzone che risuona così profondamente… (Ho le lacrime che cercano di liberarsi dai miei occhi mentre scrivo questo)
    Mi hai fatto pensare alla mia ultima musica; non è facile ma penso di averlo – te lo invierò.

    🌹

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    1. Ovviamente so esattamente come ti senti, soprattutto per quanto riguarda il tuo caro amico A.

      Le parole della mia canzone sono scolpite per sempre nel mio cuore; so che sarà lo stesso per te.

      Aspetto con ansia di vedere la canzone che hai scelto.

      Buongiorno, caro❣️

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  10. This is included in my playlist as well N, and has remained one of my favorite songs since I first heard it. Every time time I hear it, I think of different people, that perhaps is why it never gets old to me. Sometimes I get verklempt, sometimes I just smile.

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  12. Excellent choice Nancy, as I never get tired of listening to this song. Memories should never lose their meaning, and people should never lose their affection. Thanks for joining in with your music.

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