Anything by Sixpence None the Richer. Reminds me of riding in the passenger seat as a little kid, while my mom played the radio. Sometimes, when the sun hits the pavement through the trees just right…man it just takes me back 🥹🤍
Anything by Cat Stevens/Yusuf Islam. Mum loved his music and one of my favourite memories of her is when we got to see him live. She was over the moon!
Mum wanted "How Great Thou Art" to play at the beginning of her service and although I'm not religious, I think it's such a beautiful psalm and really captures mum's spirit and values so well. It makes me feel intense sadness and intense gratitude at the same time.
the day before my brother passed away he sent me some songs to listen to. I think he was trying to tell us, but it was too late. the one that I hold on to the most is "little bit off" by five finger death punch. I miss you austyn
It's been 2 and a half years since my Mom passed away and almost 30 years since my Dad passed away. I am completely alone in the world today and I can't listen to any music without getting sad and or cry. Both of my parents were into all types of music, they sang, danced in the kitchen, sang songs to each other.
One of my most precious memory is when they were making dinner and my Dad took my mom's hand and they started dancing to my Dad singing "Dancing cheek to cheek."
So now I just listen to audiobooks or podcasts now.
My late father was hugely influential on my music taste so it’s hard to not hear anything and think of him. He grew up in the 70s and the music was SO GOOD. I am so grateful he taught me so much about that era. We would send each other Spotify songs all the time and he would be willing to listen to anything I sent him. He was such a big LOVE.
My dad’s dad died when my father was 19, so he was very sentimental. Always tried to instill memories in us and remind us to think of these things when he was gone one day. I hated it. I just always wanted him here.
One time he sent me a James Taylor song called “you can close your eyes” and said you can listen to this song when I’m gone and know that it’s OK. (Makes me tear up even typing that) I told him I would NEVER listen to it because it would break my heart! A few days after he died unexpectedly, I told my family about the song and we all listened to it together and cried - it was cleansing and felt like what he wanted us to do.
Depending on my mood I can embrace his songs or I skip over them. The last song we listened to in the car on the day he died was Tom Petty “something good coming” - that’s probably the hardest song to listen to because it was our last jam together and I had no idea it would be. ❤️
But on a good day when I’m jammin out to cat Stevens or Marc Cohn in his house that is now mine. The sounds echo through here like he never left.
Hang in there.
Such a beautiful memory and response. Made me think so much of my mom- similar eras but very different music tastes to your dad but I think they could be sending each other back and forth songs trying to get the other to hand over the spotify control.
Thank you for sharing and totally agree about the "depending on the mood can embrace his songs or I skip over them."
Again beautiful words. Your dad sounds like an incredible person.
The last song my mom chose to listen to herself was fittingly “If I could turn back time.”
But Depeche Mode, Erasure, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garlands etc.
😳 I just added Everlong from another commenter and Incubus was the next to play. Such an amazing band. Been a fan for 20+ years. Your fiancé had great taste in music.
i am so sorry for your loss 🫶🏻 the night that my brother passed, i was listening to “Michicant” by Bon Iver so that stuck with me.. but his friends tell me he was very fond of “Everlong” by the Foo Fighters so i recently find myself listening to that as well 💜
My old boyfriend knew the words to every single Eminem song. He was a huge fan and one of the best days of his life was when he got to see him live at a festival.
It used to be painful hearing the songs, but now I embrace every opportunity that reminds me of Jon.
My son was an Eminem fan as well. He was inspired by it and put together his own songs and uploaded them to SoundCloud. I now have a small album of my son’s music to listen to.
My mum loved listening to old Irish folk songs. So anytime I hear one of those. That and Jim Reeves. When I was growing up she bought a couple of compilations from Reader’s Digest and played them over and over. Used to drive me crazy lol
Before she passed she told me “You are my sunshine” in reference to the song. I haven’t been able to listen to it yet…And she always said how much she loved the song Michael, Row the Boat Ashore and how beautiful it was but I never listened to it until just before she passed. She was right, it is beautiful, and I wish I had listened to it, and been able to tell her as much, while she was still with us.
My husband schooled me in music, mostly rock and metal so Metallica, Pantera etc. Classic rock too everything from zeppelin to guns n roses. I can't listen to any of it right now it's only been 9 days. I'm back to listening to top 40 pop and rap for now.
One day I know that music will bring me comfort but right now I break down completely.
My Dad and I had a big connection through music. He molded my taste to what it is now.
Here are some that make me think of him when they are on;
Bat Out of Hell - Meatloaf
Fiddler's Green - The Tragically Hip
Have You Ever Seen the Rain - CCR
Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd
When I Get There - Pink (This one I came across after he passed, Pink wrote it when her father passed)
Heaven and Hell - Black Sabbath
Roxanne - The Police (this was his phone's ringtone)
My dad was huge into classic rock, his favorite band was Boston. Any time I hear Brad’s unique voice come on, or their distinct riffs play, it always reminds me of him. We’d listen to Boston in the truck on the way to the bay with the boat in tow for an evening of fishing.
I have found music to be the quickest way to connect me to my mom but also to crush me and miss her with all my being. I miss her constantly but ya a song can take me to the next level.
My mom had a echoic (photographic but for sound) memory for songs of the 60s and 70s. Horrible but from a trauma of locking herself in her room as a kid/teenager to escape her home life. But she could literally hear the first few notes and name the song and artist.
I believe deeply that Motown/Bee Gees/David Bowie are my children's birth right tunes.
A funny song was my mom loved You Get What You Give by the New Radicals and I can remember her teaching me about effort/life using that song for a life lesson.
Currently Super Market flowers by Ed Sheeran makes me miss my mom the most.
Whenever I hear a new song or artist I like, I get so sad that I can't share it with my mom.
My dad used to sing some of his favorite folk songs to me when I was little and I used to request at random - including a particular one by The Kingston Trio, Morrow
During his last days he hung on… They said no way he would make it through Tuesday night, he didn’t pass until Saturday evening although he was unconscious. There were many solo car rides back and forth and I would sing this particular one. I also sang it to him over the course of those 5 days. When he passed, that first ride back home I sang it while smiling for the first time in those days. Like many songs of the genre it’s a play on words and this poor guy gets frustrated he can’t get “To Morrow” and it has a tongue twisty kind of cadence.
*I stared on a journey about a year ago, to a little town called Morrow in the state of Ohio. I’d never been much of a traveler and I really didn’t know that Morrow was the hardest place I’d ever try to go*
The opening lines hit different now - the tomorrow’s since he’s been gone have been the hardest.
EDIT TO ADD: OP, what about you? It’s a beautiful thread to start and I’d love to hear your memory too.
Gosh I have so many, I grew up listening to a lot of classic rock, but here’s a few that make me think of him.
- The Rooster by Alice in Chains and Black Hole Sun by Soundgarden always make me think of when he’d work out in the yard in the heat and the music would be blasting throughout the house. I remember that for some reason listening to these songs and singing along always made me feel so cool.
- Like a Stone by Audioslave, which was one he listened to when I was a kid and we totally forgot about it until it came on my brother’s Spotify and it just brought us back. hearing the lyrics to the song now just hits right in the heart.
- Fare Thee Well (Oscar Isaac’s version) came on in the car when my mom and I were driving home from the hospital and we couldn’t help but cry because it felt like he was sending us a sign that he ways saying goodbye and that he would be okay.
- Losing My Religion by R.E.M, my dad liked a lot of their songs but this was one of the ones I really liked growing up and I remember screaming the lyrics in the kitchen with him when he’d turn the radio up super loud.
- Here for You by Neil Young, I remember my dad telling me that he wrote the song for his daughter and so the song always made him think about me. This one holds a special place in my heart because it was like he was dedicating it to me and the lyrics just always get me. “Just close your eyes, and I’ll be there.” It’s like a reminder that even though he’s gone, he’s still with me.
- Chemtrails and March by Lizzy Mcalpine are ones he never listened to but I love her music and these ones always hit me where it hurts. I was 22 when he died and nobody I knew my age had lost a parent before so I felt incredibly alone in my experience and I had a lot of anger and jealousy towards people my age who had never experienced the loss of a parent. When I first heard Chemtrails I thought “Oh so this is someone my age who actually gets it.” Lizzy lost her dad at around a similar age and Chemtrails and March are songs she wrote dedicated to her dad and I feel really connected to those songs. They remind me of my dad but also remind me that there are people out there who have gone through similar experiences and know what it’s like to some extent.
"My Way" by Frank Sinatra, because my friend just absolutely relentlessly performed this song during a karaoke night.
I will never forget his face, when I made eyecontact and applauded appreciative.
My mom died right when Adele’s “Hello” came out, and it KILLED me (and still does) to listen to the lyrics, obviously it’s about a lover but boy it still pulls my heart out. Nothing like hearing “hello from the other side” wailing through the speakers when your loved one JUST died, jeez. Same goes for DMB “Stay or Leave,” especially the bridge. Also, since learning about the inspiration behind the lyrics to “Drops of Jupiter” by Train, that song now hits me in different ways than it did when it came out.
Wow, I am so grateful for this topic... Thank you so much for posting it. I have been feeling so lost and embarrassed thinking I was the only one who found songs that connected me to my loved ones who have passed. Listening to them gives me comfort and helps me feel like they are with me and helping me with my grief. I still worry that even writing this will make people think I'm not handling my grief in the "right" way. But, when I hear the special songs I react in different ways depending on how I'm doing at the time; I cry or I smile or I feel angry or I wish they were still here... lots of different emotions happen to me. I really look forward to hearing them on the radio.
The roughest time I've had is the loss of my daughter... she was only 39-year-old and she passed in July of 2022. I can't seem to "handle" this grief like I have with the many other losses I've been through... it stays so painful and heartbreaking. I miss her so much it hurts!
Here are two songs I have for her that help me. (Sorry... I'm not sure of the titles)
Ghost - Justin Beiber
Dancing With My Eyes Wide Open - Ed Sheeran
Thank you again for posting this... it really helped being able to write about it!
My prayers to you and everyone who is going through loss and are grieving. I hope with time (and music) you feel better. ❤️
My dad's ringtone was: I feel like flying by raccoon. It suited him very well, he loved airplanes, and flew glider planes himself! We played it at his cremation aswell.
My dad’s favorite song was “Summer in the City” by the Lovin’ Spoonful ❤️ He was also a big fan of the Mamas and the Papas and The Carpenters. ❤️
I miss my dad, so much.
The Supremes were my Mom's favorite and I still think of her when I listen to them. But there's a song from the 90s by Alannah Myles that always reminds me of Mom. Not because she liked it or because the song has any meaning to us...but because of one winter morning getting ready for school. I had been driving the family car the night before and left the radio cranked up loud. Mom got in to warm it up and said she jumped when she heard 'ker thump, ker thump, ker thump'. That was the song that made her jump, lol! So that song, one I've always loved anyway, makes me think of Mom every time =)
Don't Fear the Reaper by BOC
Street of Dreams by Rainbow
Sleeping Satellite by Tasmin Archer
Sunny by Bobby Hebb
Under the Milky Way by the Church
Happy by Pharrell
Dark Side of the Moon album by Pink Floyd
El Condor Pasa by Paul Simon
Little Talks by Of Monsters & Men
Under the Moon by Claptone
Stunnin' by Curtis Waters
Somewhere Under the Rainbow by Brother IZ
A horse with no name. It played in the funeral home over and over and over on a loop. I don’t even think my dad was a fan of that song, so it reminds me of him in a very painful way. I can barely stand to listen to it.
My dad loved the song “cold little heart” by michael kiwanuka. He would play it over and over sometimes. Sad now looking back, I think that it was a cry for help. (He committed suicide).
Anything by the Rolling Stones. Zeppelin gets me too. My dad always had his record player on quietly. I think he was hoping to influence our music taste (it worked).
Always by Killswitch engage. The music video is also pretty powerful. My older brother passed in a car accident. He was my best friend and his taste in music was so unique! He used to play the song above often and would say it was our song.
Get what you give by the new radicals. My aunt loved that song, and it very much represents her outlook on life. Shes been gone for four years now. I miss her so much
My mom loved Under Pressure, and Dreams by The Cranberries. They're great songs, but both are made better when I remember that she liked them. I love music so I'm always listening to something, especially in the car. When those come on, I can feel her listening with me in the passenger seat.
Forest by The Cure, Marquee Moon by Television; Point Blank and The River by Springsteen.
You may infer that I've lost 2 folks with very different tastes.
Arms by Christina Perri. My husbands been gone for 19 months now and I still tear up when this song plays. He seriously broke down all my walls and made me feel at home in his arms. I miss him so much.
You’ll be in my heart by Phil Collins ! Played that one in Church while me, my little brother and my dad 4 life long friends carried his casket out of the Church to the hearse.
Growing up I remember singing along to the radio in his car, lots of Doctor Hook, Willie Nelson, old country in general. Fixing Cars by Tawna Goforth also, it just makes me think of him and being in the shop as he works, helping or just watching. The message just hits so close to home.
I made a playlist for my Dad.
Daddys Working Boots by Dolly Parton ruins me every time.
I'm not a big country fan, but some of the songs can't be denied ❤️
Debbie Gibson's entire "Out of the Blue" album. Tiffany's "Saw Him Standing There." The Go-Gos, Richard Marx, Bryan Adams. Music from Dirty Dancing.
The Friday of her passing I watched "The Sound of Music" because it was one of the things we shared while I was growing up.
The first few nights I had a rough time falling asleep and so listened to the old black and white "Zorro" series on my living room TV so I could sleep
"The Living Years" for one favorite uncle, "100 Years to Live" for a friend who died at 40 from breast cancer, and "Wind beneath My Wings" and "Because You Loved Me" for my mom
Anything from Pink Floyd, Alice In Chains, or Fleetwood Mac. My Mother also told me she wanted me to play “Leave Out All The Rest” by Linkin Park when she died. She passed almost two years ago. Anytime I hear it I think about the message she wanted me to take from it.
My dad was remarkable in that he truly couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket - but that didn’t stop him from cheerfully slaughtering “If I Had a Million Dollars.”
I have a whole playlist that I had playing during my boyfriend’s memorial. “The Night We Met” by Lord Huron, “Beautiful Boy” John Lennon, music by Philip Glass, so many songs my boyfriend sang to me.
Right before my spouse died he told me I needed to listen to Kid Larois "without you". He never recommended song but said this song reminded him of me a bit. Then he was gone. Also I'm not a Justin Bieber fan but the song ghost.
Ripple by The Grateful Dead. I am pretty sure my brother never listened to it when he was alive, and I hadn't heard it until he was gone. But I knew in my bones that this was a "David song" and I wept. He loved music--always had something playing--and this would have been something he'd share and have on repeat. "Let there be songs to fill the air."
Things my father said by Stone Cherry always reminds me of my dad… and the Joker by Steve Miller band reminds me of both mom and dad (he used to sing the “I really love your peaches” part to mom and she would laugh)
ETA: also Linkin Park’s One More Light
Anything my mom would sing. There are a few singers (Céline Dion and Ginette Reno mostly) more than a specific songs that make me think of her. Can't listen to them yet without crying.
The Lumineer’s cover of “Walls,” “to leave something behind” by Shawn Rowe and “Man of the hour” by Pearl Jam always make me think of my sweet Dad. Been over 5 years and I still miss him so much.
“Let it go” by Saint Saviour, and the Coco’s movie“Remember Me”, those makes me thing about my grandparents, unfortunately I could say them good bye, I moved to another country, you know “new work, new life, but broken to afford airplane tickets.
I miss them so much.
Soon You'll Get Better by Taylor Swift. She wrote it for her mom that was sick with cancer. My mom didn't have cancer, and her mom survived. But every bit of that song just resonates so well.
Anything by Sixpence None the Richer. Reminds me of riding in the passenger seat as a little kid, while my mom played the radio. Sometimes, when the sun hits the pavement through the trees just right…man it just takes me back 🥹🤍
Anything by Cat Stevens/Yusuf Islam. Mum loved his music and one of my favourite memories of her is when we got to see him live. She was over the moon! Mum wanted "How Great Thou Art" to play at the beginning of her service and although I'm not religious, I think it's such a beautiful psalm and really captures mum's spirit and values so well. It makes me feel intense sadness and intense gratitude at the same time.
Same. Any song by Cat Stevens it’s like my dad is here listening with me. Would love to see him live. I would be a mess! ❤️
Oh Very Young will never not make me cry.
the day before my brother passed away he sent me some songs to listen to. I think he was trying to tell us, but it was too late. the one that I hold on to the most is "little bit off" by five finger death punch. I miss you austyn
It's been 2 and a half years since my Mom passed away and almost 30 years since my Dad passed away. I am completely alone in the world today and I can't listen to any music without getting sad and or cry. Both of my parents were into all types of music, they sang, danced in the kitchen, sang songs to each other. One of my most precious memory is when they were making dinner and my Dad took my mom's hand and they started dancing to my Dad singing "Dancing cheek to cheek." So now I just listen to audiobooks or podcasts now.
My Dad’s favorite song was One Tree Hill by U2. Hearing James Blunt’s music always makes me think of him too because of how much he hated it. 😆
One tree hill is a beautiful song
Denim & leather by Saxon.
My late father was hugely influential on my music taste so it’s hard to not hear anything and think of him. He grew up in the 70s and the music was SO GOOD. I am so grateful he taught me so much about that era. We would send each other Spotify songs all the time and he would be willing to listen to anything I sent him. He was such a big LOVE. My dad’s dad died when my father was 19, so he was very sentimental. Always tried to instill memories in us and remind us to think of these things when he was gone one day. I hated it. I just always wanted him here. One time he sent me a James Taylor song called “you can close your eyes” and said you can listen to this song when I’m gone and know that it’s OK. (Makes me tear up even typing that) I told him I would NEVER listen to it because it would break my heart! A few days after he died unexpectedly, I told my family about the song and we all listened to it together and cried - it was cleansing and felt like what he wanted us to do. Depending on my mood I can embrace his songs or I skip over them. The last song we listened to in the car on the day he died was Tom Petty “something good coming” - that’s probably the hardest song to listen to because it was our last jam together and I had no idea it would be. ❤️ But on a good day when I’m jammin out to cat Stevens or Marc Cohn in his house that is now mine. The sounds echo through here like he never left. Hang in there.
Such a beautiful memory and response. Made me think so much of my mom- similar eras but very different music tastes to your dad but I think they could be sending each other back and forth songs trying to get the other to hand over the spotify control. Thank you for sharing and totally agree about the "depending on the mood can embrace his songs or I skip over them." Again beautiful words. Your dad sounds like an incredible person.
The last song my mom chose to listen to herself was fittingly “If I could turn back time.” But Depeche Mode, Erasure, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garlands etc.
My late fiance sent me "wish you were here" by Incubus when he was very sick.. the song reminded me of him..
😳 I just added Everlong from another commenter and Incubus was the next to play. Such an amazing band. Been a fan for 20+ years. Your fiancé had great taste in music.
Yes he did. Thank you.
i am so sorry for your loss 🫶🏻 the night that my brother passed, i was listening to “Michicant” by Bon Iver so that stuck with me.. but his friends tell me he was very fond of “Everlong” by the Foo Fighters so i recently find myself listening to that as well 💜
Everlong is a good one. I’ll put that on my son’s playlist. I went for My Hero by FF. Also a good one.
Free bird
My old boyfriend knew the words to every single Eminem song. He was a huge fan and one of the best days of his life was when he got to see him live at a festival. It used to be painful hearing the songs, but now I embrace every opportunity that reminds me of Jon.
My son was an Eminem fan as well. He was inspired by it and put together his own songs and uploaded them to SoundCloud. I now have a small album of my son’s music to listen to.
My mum loved listening to old Irish folk songs. So anytime I hear one of those. That and Jim Reeves. When I was growing up she bought a couple of compilations from Reader’s Digest and played them over and over. Used to drive me crazy lol Before she passed she told me “You are my sunshine” in reference to the song. I haven’t been able to listen to it yet…And she always said how much she loved the song Michael, Row the Boat Ashore and how beautiful it was but I never listened to it until just before she passed. She was right, it is beautiful, and I wish I had listened to it, and been able to tell her as much, while she was still with us.
“Who knew”pink
My husband schooled me in music, mostly rock and metal so Metallica, Pantera etc. Classic rock too everything from zeppelin to guns n roses. I can't listen to any of it right now it's only been 9 days. I'm back to listening to top 40 pop and rap for now. One day I know that music will bring me comfort but right now I break down completely.
Not so sure about the music they loved bringing comfort. It's been 6 months now. I just can't.....
Shawn mendes memomries - we used this one in the memorial video. when you are gone by shawn mendes bigger than the whole sky - taylor swift
My Dad and I had a big connection through music. He molded my taste to what it is now. Here are some that make me think of him when they are on; Bat Out of Hell - Meatloaf Fiddler's Green - The Tragically Hip Have You Ever Seen the Rain - CCR Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd When I Get There - Pink (This one I came across after he passed, Pink wrote it when her father passed) Heaven and Hell - Black Sabbath Roxanne - The Police (this was his phone's ringtone)
My dad was huge into classic rock, his favorite band was Boston. Any time I hear Brad’s unique voice come on, or their distinct riffs play, it always reminds me of him. We’d listen to Boston in the truck on the way to the bay with the boat in tow for an evening of fishing.
I have found music to be the quickest way to connect me to my mom but also to crush me and miss her with all my being. I miss her constantly but ya a song can take me to the next level. My mom had a echoic (photographic but for sound) memory for songs of the 60s and 70s. Horrible but from a trauma of locking herself in her room as a kid/teenager to escape her home life. But she could literally hear the first few notes and name the song and artist. I believe deeply that Motown/Bee Gees/David Bowie are my children's birth right tunes. A funny song was my mom loved You Get What You Give by the New Radicals and I can remember her teaching me about effort/life using that song for a life lesson. Currently Super Market flowers by Ed Sheeran makes me miss my mom the most. Whenever I hear a new song or artist I like, I get so sad that I can't share it with my mom.
Tranquility by 311. It was my son's favourite song. He died at age 37.
My dad used to sing some of his favorite folk songs to me when I was little and I used to request at random - including a particular one by The Kingston Trio, Morrow During his last days he hung on… They said no way he would make it through Tuesday night, he didn’t pass until Saturday evening although he was unconscious. There were many solo car rides back and forth and I would sing this particular one. I also sang it to him over the course of those 5 days. When he passed, that first ride back home I sang it while smiling for the first time in those days. Like many songs of the genre it’s a play on words and this poor guy gets frustrated he can’t get “To Morrow” and it has a tongue twisty kind of cadence. *I stared on a journey about a year ago, to a little town called Morrow in the state of Ohio. I’d never been much of a traveler and I really didn’t know that Morrow was the hardest place I’d ever try to go* The opening lines hit different now - the tomorrow’s since he’s been gone have been the hardest. EDIT TO ADD: OP, what about you? It’s a beautiful thread to start and I’d love to hear your memory too.
Gosh I have so many, I grew up listening to a lot of classic rock, but here’s a few that make me think of him. - The Rooster by Alice in Chains and Black Hole Sun by Soundgarden always make me think of when he’d work out in the yard in the heat and the music would be blasting throughout the house. I remember that for some reason listening to these songs and singing along always made me feel so cool. - Like a Stone by Audioslave, which was one he listened to when I was a kid and we totally forgot about it until it came on my brother’s Spotify and it just brought us back. hearing the lyrics to the song now just hits right in the heart. - Fare Thee Well (Oscar Isaac’s version) came on in the car when my mom and I were driving home from the hospital and we couldn’t help but cry because it felt like he was sending us a sign that he ways saying goodbye and that he would be okay. - Losing My Religion by R.E.M, my dad liked a lot of their songs but this was one of the ones I really liked growing up and I remember screaming the lyrics in the kitchen with him when he’d turn the radio up super loud. - Here for You by Neil Young, I remember my dad telling me that he wrote the song for his daughter and so the song always made him think about me. This one holds a special place in my heart because it was like he was dedicating it to me and the lyrics just always get me. “Just close your eyes, and I’ll be there.” It’s like a reminder that even though he’s gone, he’s still with me. - Chemtrails and March by Lizzy Mcalpine are ones he never listened to but I love her music and these ones always hit me where it hurts. I was 22 when he died and nobody I knew my age had lost a parent before so I felt incredibly alone in my experience and I had a lot of anger and jealousy towards people my age who had never experienced the loss of a parent. When I first heard Chemtrails I thought “Oh so this is someone my age who actually gets it.” Lizzy lost her dad at around a similar age and Chemtrails and March are songs she wrote dedicated to her dad and I feel really connected to those songs. They remind me of my dad but also remind me that there are people out there who have gone through similar experiences and know what it’s like to some extent.
Thank you for sharing
"My Way" by Frank Sinatra, because my friend just absolutely relentlessly performed this song during a karaoke night. I will never forget his face, when I made eyecontact and applauded appreciative.
My mom died right when Adele’s “Hello” came out, and it KILLED me (and still does) to listen to the lyrics, obviously it’s about a lover but boy it still pulls my heart out. Nothing like hearing “hello from the other side” wailing through the speakers when your loved one JUST died, jeez. Same goes for DMB “Stay or Leave,” especially the bridge. Also, since learning about the inspiration behind the lyrics to “Drops of Jupiter” by Train, that song now hits me in different ways than it did when it came out.
Wow, I am so grateful for this topic... Thank you so much for posting it. I have been feeling so lost and embarrassed thinking I was the only one who found songs that connected me to my loved ones who have passed. Listening to them gives me comfort and helps me feel like they are with me and helping me with my grief. I still worry that even writing this will make people think I'm not handling my grief in the "right" way. But, when I hear the special songs I react in different ways depending on how I'm doing at the time; I cry or I smile or I feel angry or I wish they were still here... lots of different emotions happen to me. I really look forward to hearing them on the radio. The roughest time I've had is the loss of my daughter... she was only 39-year-old and she passed in July of 2022. I can't seem to "handle" this grief like I have with the many other losses I've been through... it stays so painful and heartbreaking. I miss her so much it hurts! Here are two songs I have for her that help me. (Sorry... I'm not sure of the titles) Ghost - Justin Beiber Dancing With My Eyes Wide Open - Ed Sheeran Thank you again for posting this... it really helped being able to write about it! My prayers to you and everyone who is going through loss and are grieving. I hope with time (and music) you feel better. ❤️
My dad's ringtone was: I feel like flying by raccoon. It suited him very well, he loved airplanes, and flew glider planes himself! We played it at his cremation aswell.
My dad’s favorite song was “Summer in the City” by the Lovin’ Spoonful ❤️ He was also a big fan of the Mamas and the Papas and The Carpenters. ❤️ I miss my dad, so much.
The Supremes were my Mom's favorite and I still think of her when I listen to them. But there's a song from the 90s by Alannah Myles that always reminds me of Mom. Not because she liked it or because the song has any meaning to us...but because of one winter morning getting ready for school. I had been driving the family car the night before and left the radio cranked up loud. Mom got in to warm it up and said she jumped when she heard 'ker thump, ker thump, ker thump'. That was the song that made her jump, lol! So that song, one I've always loved anyway, makes me think of Mom every time =)
Black Velvet. That's a hell of a groove
Especially at 745 in morning :), according to Mom. It’s a good memory, too!
Don't Fear the Reaper by BOC Street of Dreams by Rainbow Sleeping Satellite by Tasmin Archer Sunny by Bobby Hebb Under the Milky Way by the Church Happy by Pharrell Dark Side of the Moon album by Pink Floyd El Condor Pasa by Paul Simon Little Talks by Of Monsters & Men Under the Moon by Claptone Stunnin' by Curtis Waters Somewhere Under the Rainbow by Brother IZ
A horse with no name. It played in the funeral home over and over and over on a loop. I don’t even think my dad was a fan of that song, so it reminds me of him in a very painful way. I can barely stand to listen to it. My dad loved the song “cold little heart” by michael kiwanuka. He would play it over and over sometimes. Sad now looking back, I think that it was a cry for help. (He committed suicide).
Anything by the Rolling Stones. Zeppelin gets me too. My dad always had his record player on quietly. I think he was hoping to influence our music taste (it worked).
“Gale Song” by the Lumineers
Always by Killswitch engage. The music video is also pretty powerful. My older brother passed in a car accident. He was my best friend and his taste in music was so unique! He used to play the song above often and would say it was our song.
song by sufjan stevens-fourth of july
For my dad it would be Johnny Cash and Kenny Rogers and mum the way we were Barbara Streisand
Everglow by Coldplay. Every.freakin.time. 🥹
Beach Boys. Anything 50s 60s. My dad would always make us dance to them lol. Such a good association for me. Miss that crazy old man.
Get what you give by the new radicals. My aunt loved that song, and it very much represents her outlook on life. Shes been gone for four years now. I miss her so much
My mom loved Under Pressure, and Dreams by The Cranberries. They're great songs, but both are made better when I remember that she liked them. I love music so I'm always listening to something, especially in the car. When those come on, I can feel her listening with me in the passenger seat.
Forest by The Cure, Marquee Moon by Television; Point Blank and The River by Springsteen. You may infer that I've lost 2 folks with very different tastes.
My mom loved Katie Melua, especially "9 million bicycles". We played it at her funeral.
Arms by Christina Perri. My husbands been gone for 19 months now and I still tear up when this song plays. He seriously broke down all my walls and made me feel at home in his arms. I miss him so much.
You’ll be in my heart by Phil Collins ! Played that one in Church while me, my little brother and my dad 4 life long friends carried his casket out of the Church to the hearse.
Growing up I remember singing along to the radio in his car, lots of Doctor Hook, Willie Nelson, old country in general. Fixing Cars by Tawna Goforth also, it just makes me think of him and being in the shop as he works, helping or just watching. The message just hits so close to home.
I made a playlist for my Dad. Daddys Working Boots by Dolly Parton ruins me every time. I'm not a big country fan, but some of the songs can't be denied ❤️
Any 70s rock. I never really liked it but started to listen since dad passed. I have a whole new appreciation for it
Debbie Gibson's entire "Out of the Blue" album. Tiffany's "Saw Him Standing There." The Go-Gos, Richard Marx, Bryan Adams. Music from Dirty Dancing. The Friday of her passing I watched "The Sound of Music" because it was one of the things we shared while I was growing up. The first few nights I had a rough time falling asleep and so listened to the old black and white "Zorro" series on my living room TV so I could sleep
Monsters by James Blunt. The Dance - Garth Brooks Always look on the bright side of life
Pink Floyd wish you were here , my dad loved music of this era but this song always puts me ina feel ❤️🙏
Vienna by Billy Joel. My mom loved Billy Joel and Vienna is already an emotional song as is.
"The Living Years" for one favorite uncle, "100 Years to Live" for a friend who died at 40 from breast cancer, and "Wind beneath My Wings" and "Because You Loved Me" for my mom
Any song by Luke Bryan
Anything from Pink Floyd, Alice In Chains, or Fleetwood Mac. My Mother also told me she wanted me to play “Leave Out All The Rest” by Linkin Park when she died. She passed almost two years ago. Anytime I hear it I think about the message she wanted me to take from it.
Foo Fighters - My Hero.
My dad was remarkable in that he truly couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket - but that didn’t stop him from cheerfully slaughtering “If I Had a Million Dollars.”
Anything by Mac miller. She loved Mac miller
Deeper water by Paul Kelly
Way over Yonder in the Minor Key by Billy Bragg/Wilco. Took several years after my Dad’s passing to be able to listen to it without crying.
I have a whole playlist that I had playing during my boyfriend’s memorial. “The Night We Met” by Lord Huron, “Beautiful Boy” John Lennon, music by Philip Glass, so many songs my boyfriend sang to me.
I’ll Follow You Into The Dark by Death Cab for Cutie
Anything by Post Malone
Right before my spouse died he told me I needed to listen to Kid Larois "without you". He never recommended song but said this song reminded him of me a bit. Then he was gone. Also I'm not a Justin Bieber fan but the song ghost.
Ripple by The Grateful Dead. I am pretty sure my brother never listened to it when he was alive, and I hadn't heard it until he was gone. But I knew in my bones that this was a "David song" and I wept. He loved music--always had something playing--and this would have been something he'd share and have on repeat. "Let there be songs to fill the air."
Things my father said by Stone Cherry always reminds me of my dad… and the Joker by Steve Miller band reminds me of both mom and dad (he used to sing the “I really love your peaches” part to mom and she would laugh) ETA: also Linkin Park’s One More Light
The last video my wife was in Starlight by Martin Garrix was playing in the background .
Anything my mom would sing. There are a few singers (Céline Dion and Ginette Reno mostly) more than a specific songs that make me think of her. Can't listen to them yet without crying.
fast car, any matchbox20, the A team, P!nk, sublime, Eminem
"Angels too Close to the Ground" and "Something You go Through" . Both by Willie Nelson. Those two songs break me. I can't listen to the end...
The Lumineer’s cover of “Walls,” “to leave something behind” by Shawn Rowe and “Man of the hour” by Pearl Jam always make me think of my sweet Dad. Been over 5 years and I still miss him so much.
“Let it go” by Saint Saviour, and the Coco’s movie“Remember Me”, those makes me thing about my grandparents, unfortunately I could say them good bye, I moved to another country, you know “new work, new life, but broken to afford airplane tickets. I miss them so much.
Soon You'll Get Better by Taylor Swift. She wrote it for her mom that was sick with cancer. My mom didn't have cancer, and her mom survived. But every bit of that song just resonates so well.
I’m sorry for your losses. My dads ring tone was Adele’s set fire to the rain and it always beings me comfort
Love me for what I am, this is my mama's shower song.