Death Mix 2008

"Have you heard the news that you're dead?
No one ever had much nice to say,
I think they never liked you anyway."
Dead! - My Chemical Romance

I first thought of this a couple of years ago and have been kicking it around ever since.
The idea is simple: When you die, wouldn't it be nice to give a swell Death Mix to your friends and family? Perhaps play it at a memorial service or funeral type situation.

When I brought this up to a M.D. friend of mine, he described it as a "very unhealthy idea". Soooo, without further adieu, here is the CD all of my friends and family will be forced to listen to in a locked room when I die. If I can enlist some geek help, I'll try to post links to the songs- so check back:
Track 1: Authority Song - John Cougar Mellencamp (Uh-huh, 1983)

Sample Lyrics: "I fight authority, authority always wins."

Why: 'Cause those lyrics are super sweet for one. And it makes me sounds like a rebel, you know, if JCM wasn't singing it and all. Also, everyone under the age of30 only knows JCM through the that horrible Chevy ad and everyone over 30 HATES JCM because of that horrible Chevy ad.


Hey, at one time, he decided it would be a good idea if his middle name was"Cougar"(I wish I had thought of that) and I think he was married to a supermodel at one time. On second thought, he's beginning to sound like Billy Joel, never mind.
"From the East Coast, to the West Coast, down that Dixie Highway back home,this is oooouurrrr country." That will be in your head for the rest of the day - you are welcome.



Track 2: Fancy Funeral - Lucinda Williams (West, 2007)

Sample Lyrics:
" 'Cause no amount of riches
Can bring back what you lost
To satisfy your wishes
You'll never justify the cost"

Why: It's a sweet song, with the sweetest voice in the world. And since all of my loved ones are going to think I'm cheap by not having a huge ass funeral, they might as well as hear why it's stupid to spend money on said funeral.


Track 3: I Was Meant for the Stage - The Decemberists (Her Majesty, 2003)

Sample Lyrics:
"And as the spotlights fade away,
And you're escorted through the foyer,
You will resume your callow ways,
But I was meant for the stage."

Why: Great tune, great lyrics. Kinda of a Sinatra's "My Way" for retards (yes, that's me). One song by my favorite lyricists is needed and as much fun as it would have been to type "The Mariner's Revenge Song" (there, I did it anyway), IWMFTS is wonderfully bittersweet tune.


Track 4: Bury Me a G - Tupac (Thug Life, 1994)

Sample Lyrics:
"I ain't got time for bitches
Gotta keep my mind on my mothafucken riches
even when I die,
they won't worry me,
mama don't cry,
bury me a G"

Why: Because I have to have a song on here that my mom will like. And I gots to have something with some bass, yo.


Track 5: Taking Us Home - The Samples (No Room, 1992)

Sample Lyrics:
"when I told the blind man
we're all here alone
he said the strong wind
was taking us home"

Why: Need a song with a little reggae and it's pretty. Plus, I like the blind man visual (more than the blind man does, I'm guessing)


Track 6: Mr. Superlove - The Afghan Whigs (What Jail Is Like (EP) 1994)

Sample Lyrics:
"You may not believe me, baby, when i tell you
that
i am
mr.
superlove"

Why: Didn't know that this was written by the Ass Ponys - a big bonus. I need a ditty on here to remind everyone who I was and what I represented. You know, Mr. Superlove, duh. It also is a dark song about abuse which will thoroughly confuse the attentive ones in attendance.


Track 7: Terry's Song - Bruce Springsteen (Magic (hidden track), 2007)

Sample Lyrics:
"Now the world is filled with many wonders under the passing sun
And sometimes something comes along and you know it's for sure the only one
The Mona Lisa, the David, the Sistine Chapel, Jesus, Mary, and Joe
And when they built you, brother, they broke the mold"

Why: This entire exercise is just an ego thing, so if something compares me to the Sistine Chapel AND Jesus, why not just go with it? Plus, this one is a tear jerker, which is important before the final track...


Track 8: Airline to Heaven - Wilco (Mermaid Avenue 2, 2000)

Sample Lyrics:
"But you will surely know
When to the airport go
To leave this world behind

Oh, a lot of speakers speak
A lot of preachers preach
When you lay their salary on the line

You hold your head and pray
It's the only earthly way
You can fly to heaven on time
Fly to heaven on time"

Why: Woody Guthrie lyrics recorded by Wilco. That's all that really needs to be said. And it's an uplifter, which is important to end on for those naive souls that believe that I'm going to heaven.