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Need Rock/hard Rock Song Suggestions for a Tasteful Slideshow for a Wake

Hi mamas. One of my brothers passed away over the weekend and we are planning his wake and funeral. Both will be traditional Catholic affairs. At the wake, we will have a lap top set up on a table in the anteroom that will scroll a slide show of photos with music playing quietly in the background.

My brother was in his early 30s and died from an overdose. He was an addict who lived a hard life and liked hard music. He played guitar and his favorite bands/artists were those like Tool, Metallica, Korn, Godsmack, Staind, Eminim, etc. Can anyone think of any songs from those bands or those like them that would be appropriate at a memorial? I was thinking of something like "It's Been a While" from Staind but the lyrics hit way too close to home. I think we'll include "Tears in Heaven" from Eric Clapton and "I Will Remember You" from Sarah Mclachlan but anything softer/sappier than those just wouldn't be true to his memory. We're considering "Home Sweet Home" from Motley Crue but that gets a little loud and screechy and rock-anthem-y in the end and we want things that are a little more subdued and reflective.

It's been a long time since I've listened to many of these bands or similar ones. If anyone has any suggestions for songs that would fit, please let me know.

Thanks!

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So What Happened?™

Thank you everyone! These are great suggestions. Although some of them are too "hard" for the setting, I am definitely checking them all out and many are songs that will make me forever think of my brother, so I'll probably make a mix of many of these to share with my siblings. I'll later add what the final list ends up being. I absolutely love Sober and of course that and It's Been a While has made me think of my brother but both have lyrics that we can't send him off with in a respectful setting.

Thanks again everyone. Your kind words have touched my heart and have given much comfort. My other brother and I spent the evening listening to all of your suggestions. What great songs! We've decided tentatively to go with the Apocalyptica cover of either Nothing Else Matters or Fade to Black (Metallica), Good Riddance (a/k/a Time of Your Life) and When September Ends from Green Day, Shadow of the Day from Linkin Park, Immortality from Pearl Jam, Mad World from Gary Jules and oddly...Someone Like You from Adele. I guess my brother actually liked that song a lot...go figure ;-)

Thank you again.

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Motley Crue .. If I Die Tomorrow is beautiful and Sixx Am's Life is Beautiful would both be approrpiate ... you could even go with Tool's Sober if you would like as well. If he was a Tool fan the Sober would have been a favorite.

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Whatever you do DON"T play "stairway to heaven" by Led zeppelin. i mean it seems nice but if you really listen to the words its really about hypocrisy in modern religion and has NO place at a funeral.

"Dust in the wind" by Kansas is a nice one- thoughtful and optimistic

"shine on you crazy diamond" pink floyd, not many lyrics but very powerful

"fade to black" by Metallica is very somber but if you want to point out the loneliness of addiction it will fit right in,,,,,,,,,so would "sober" by tool which is a very powerful song that stirs even my emotions.

i dont know those other bands you mentioned well enough to recommend anything

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So Sorry ((hugs))..I think "I remember you" from Skid Row could be a good one, also "nothing else matters" by linking park. Others may be "On the streets of Philadelphia" (for the sweet somber music) by Springsteen, and you can't forget "Knocking on Heaven's door" by Guns'nRoses.

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First I'm so sorry about your families loss. There's a band called hell ya and they did a song for the guitarist from pantera called "thank you" here's the lyrics, but it might be fitting

"Thank You"

So many things,
I didn't say,
Is it too late now that you've gone away?
So many words,
So many ways,
If you can hear me now, there's something I gotta say.

Just one more talk,
Just one more turn,
If one's too much then..

I just want to say,
Thank you,
For everything,
You ever done for me,
(done for me)
I just want to say,
Thank you,
For all the things,
For saving me,
(Saving me)

So many times,
So many days,
You helped me through,
Walked me through the rain,
So many tears,
Have washed away,
If you can hear my voice,
There's something I have to say..

Just one more talk,
Just one more turn,
If one's too much then..

I just want to say,
Thank you,
For everything,
You ever done for me,
(done for me)
I just want to say,
Thank you,
For all the things,
For saving me,
(Saving me)

It's been so long,
They say time will heal everything,
Could you send me a sign,
To fill the soul in my life,
Turn on a light,
To help me see through it all,
No one left to rescue me,
Save me...

Just one more talk,
Just one more turn,
If one's too much then..

I just want to say,
Thank you,
For everything,
You ever done for me,
(done for me)
I just want to say,
Thank you,
For all the things,
For saving me,
(Saving me)
I just want to say..

Thank you,
Mother,
Thank you,
Father,
Thank you,
Sister,
For Saving me..

I just want to say,
Thank you,
Brother,
Thank you,
Daughter,
Thank you,
To all best friends..

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First, let me saw how sorry I am for you and your family. It's terrible to lose someone so young and to a terrible disease. I have a brother who has a similar life.

My first thought was Home Sweet Home, too. It's such a beautiful song. I googled "Rock Ballads for Funerals" and got the following list:
Top Ten European Funeral Songs
1. Queen - The Show Must Go On
2. Led Zeppelin - Stairway to Heaven
3. AC/DC - Highway to Hell
4. Frank Sinatra - My Way
5. Mozart - Requiem
6. Robbie Williams - Angels
7. Queen - Who Wants To Live Forever
8.The Beatles - Let it Be
9. Metallica - Nothing Else Matters
10. U2 - With Or Without You

Top Ten British Funeral Songs
1. Robbie Williams - Angels
2. Frank Sinatra - My Way
3. Monty Python - Always Look on the Bright Side of Life
4. Led Zeppelin - Stairway to Heaven
5. Queen - Who Wants To Live Forever
6. Green Day - Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)
7. REM - Everybody Hurts
8. Oasis - Live Forever
9. Bette Midler - Wind Beneath My Wings
10. Royal Scots Dragoon Guards - Amazing Grace

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I'm very, very sorry for the loss of your brother. I was going to suggest Tool's "Eulogy" but that has some bad language in it and possibly offensive references to the cross.

But ...

Crash Test Dummies "At My Funeral"
Mad Season "Wake Up" (about an overdose)
Metallica "Nothing Else Matters"

Added: Chili Peppers "My Lovely Man" (about the death of a brother)
"Wish You Were Here" Pink Floyd
"Knockin' on Heaven's Door" Guns n Roses
"Aerials" System of a Down
"Bittersweet Symphony" Verve
"Don't Cry" Guns n Roses
"Shine on You Crazy Diamond" Pink Floyd

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Motley Crue .. If I Die Tomorrow is beautiful and Sixx Am's Life is Beautiful would both be approrpiate ... you could even go with Tool's Sober if you would like as well. If he was a Tool fan the Sober would have been a favorite.

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Whatever you do DON"T play "stairway to heaven" by Led zeppelin. i mean it seems nice but if you really listen to the words its really about hypocrisy in modern religion and has NO place at a funeral.

"Dust in the wind" by Kansas is a nice one- thoughtful and optimistic

"shine on you crazy diamond" pink floyd, not many lyrics but very powerful

"fade to black" by Metallica is very somber but if you want to point out the loneliness of addiction it will fit right in,,,,,,,,,so would "sober" by tool which is a very powerful song that stirs even my emotions.

i dont know those other bands you mentioned well enough to recommend anything

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I'm very sorry for your loss...I think this is a beautiful way to remember your brother.

I've always loved "Time of Your Life" by Green Day.

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I lost my brother a couple of years ago from a heart attack, he was 42. He loved AC DC so we had my sister read the lyrics to one of the songs (high way to hell, go figure). I would try to pick some that will not offend anyone. My family knew that my brother loved this band and they were told beforehand why my sis was reading it. They also had some pictures going with different music that my other sister had picked out before the service started.
I don't really know the songs that these bands play, but I would listen first before playing.

I am very sorry for your loss. Hugs

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oh, I'm sooo sorry to hear of your loss. My heart goes out to you.....

Avenged Sevenfold.....their song, "Dear God". Love this song...
also their song "Afterlife"...which is pretty hardcore. My son was pallbearer at the funeral of one of his friend's mom....& they played the cd nonstop for her funeral music.

?maybe 3 Doors Down..."It's Not My Time"
Molly Hatchet...."Fall of the Peacemakers"
Shinedown...."Save Me" - which may hit too close to home....it begins with "I've got a needle....& spoon). Also their "Breaking Inside" song.
Bad Company....their song "Bad Company"

Hope some of this helps.....& I want to thank you for asking for our help. Your question today opened the door on a very important subject btwn myself & my 24 yo son. He had very strong opinions on this whole subject - good for me to know! I wish you Strength....

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