My 1980s Funeral Songs Playlist
It’s an uncomfortable subject to discuss, but we’re all going to croak someday. There isn’t a human being who has ever lived who hasn’t kicked the bucket. While most cultures have somber, dignified funerals to honor the dead, I would wish my next of kin to throw a big, fun 80s party! Here are five darkly comedic songs for that 1980s party funeral:
“Another One Bites the Dust”', Queen (1980)
Queen reminds us that, although unique and special in our own ways, we all have one thing in common: We’re all going to bite the dust at some point and, when we go, we’ll be just another one who bites said dust.
“Another One Bites the Dust” was released by Queen in 1980 on their eighth album, “The Game”. Unsurprisingly, with its classic bass riff, it was written by bassist John Deacon. It was the longest running single on the Billboard Top 10 in 1980, making the list for 31 weeks!
The lyrics hold true to the phrase, “bite the dust”, with their first verse’s story of Steve in a machine gun fight in the streets. When the chorus starts, we presume poor Steve didn’t make it, riddled with bullets that popped off to the sound of Queen’s beat.
If you’re going to bite the dust in a machine gun fight, go down like Mouse!
The second verse reminds us that so many other things aside from human life can bite the dust. The singer narrates a presumed bad breakup by which he is taken for all he owns and kicked out on the street. He might still be alive, but most certainly feels like he just bit the dust.
Queen explores this further in the song’s final lyrics, teaching us that, “there are plenty of ways you can hurt a man”. Cheating and beating are just a few examples… and happen to rhyme quite well.
“Another One Bites the Dust” is great for any 80s funeral because it is exceedingly catchy. That’s good, because the two-part message to your funeral attendees is dark but important:
We’re all going to bite the dust, and the person the funeral is being held for is just another one.
There are other ways those around you can bite the dust, maybe sometimes worse than death.
“Goodbye to You”, Scandal (1982)
Your funeral is all about saying goodbye to you. So, what better song for your 80s funeral playlist than one called, “Goodbye to You”?
“Goodbye to You” appeared on Scandal's 1982 self-titled EP. It originally didn’t get much radio airtime, but the song became more popular due to Scandal’s corresponding MTV video. Early in its life, most of MTV’s videos were British so they were happy to have American videos play. Although cheap to produce, Patty Smyth’s beauty and distinctive bright red dress, along with the band’s infectious positive energy, helped propel the song to release as a single, which reached #65 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Lando says, “goodbye to you”.
The tune is obviously a peppy breakup song, where Patty sings about moving on from a relationship. But isn’t that what life and death is all about? Scandal remembers, “the good times baby, and the bad times too.” Isn’t that what we do at funerals? We remember the times we had with the person, say our goodbyes, and move on with our own lives. Scandal just does so in a fun way, making “Goodbye to You” and its music video an essential piece for any 80s funeral party playlist.
“Always Something There to Remind Me”, Naked Eyes (1983)
“Always Something There to Remind Me” by Naked Eyes is a cover of a 1963 song written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. It was not the first cover by any means, as the song had over two dozen renditions by various artists throughout the 60s, 70s and into the early 80s.
Then, in 1983, everything changed for this song. Naked Eyes released a cover that was very different from any of its predecessors. This edition of the tune was truly “80s” with its synth-pop vibe, sound effects and modern music video with good play time on MTV. Although being performed several times before by a myriad of musicians, Naked Eyes’ version separated the song from its Baby Boomer roots and propelled it into Generation X, who have taken ownership of it ever since.
Over two dozen versions as a Boomer song; Gen X takes ownership with just one.
“Always Something There to Remind Me” is yet another example of how breakup songs tend to make good funeral dirges. The singer narrates a walk in the city, reminiscing about places and things that remind them of someone they loved and lost. However, if Burt Bacharach had come out and said that the song was about the death of a lover or loved one, it would still work just as well. Thus, Naked Eyes’ version of “Always Something There to Remind Me” is an 80s funeral party playlist must-have.
“Dead Man's Party”, Oingo Boingo (1986)
No music playlist for a 1980s dead man’s party can be complete without “Dead Man’s Party” by Oingo Boingo. Afterall, if you look at the lyrics, the tune is about the funeral of a man who “was struck by lightning, walkin' down the street”. The song makes numerous other allusions to a funeral all the while maintaining an upbeat, 80s pop vibe. Oingo Boingo made the quindecinnial 80s funeral party dirge, and if only one song on this list could be played, it’s this one.
Furthermore, Oingo Boingo played “Dead Man’s Party” at a college party funded by Rodney Dangerfield’s character in the film, “Back to School”. The scene in this movie is a model for how a 1980s funeral party should be.
Rodney Dangerfield knows how to party!
Incidentally, Rodney Dangerfield’s real funeral in 2004 was a very classy affair. The Master of Ceremonies was Bob Saget and almost every famous comedian at the time was in attendance to eulogize and pay tribute to the comedy legend.
As is widely known, Oingo Boingo front man Danny Elfman would go on to have a highly successful film career with over 80 movie scores to his credit. Many of the films and shows he composed for are whimsically dark with themes of death and resurrection, all of which would be great for a funeral film watch party.
“Human”, Human League (1986)
80s water-reflective, layer and blend effects are perfect visuals for an 80s funeral.
“Human” by Human League reminds me that, “I'm only human, of flesh and blood I'm made”. For all humans, the cells of the flesh and blood they’re made of start to tire as they constantly rebuild and repair over time until, one day, they become diseased or just stop working all together.
The song itself, second in the group’s popularity only to “Don’t You Want Me”, is about a long-distance relationship infidelity by which the singer asks forgiveness from his lover for seeking the physical comforts of another while they were apart. Toward the end, the lover admits to also being “human” while they were apart.
However, one could reinterpret this smooth, synthpop tune to posthumously ask forgiveness of those we wronged while alive. Moreover, the Andy Morahan video, with its artsy, stylized water effects, hair, makeup and jewelry, would make an excellent video backdrop of any 1980s funeral party.
What do you think? Would you ever actually request your funeral be an 80s party? Are there any songs you think should be on an 80s party funeral playlist? Let me know in the comments below. Also be sure to check out The 80s and 90s Uncensored podcast episodes about music. With that, I leave you with this quote:
“You’ll never get me into a tux. Not until I’m dead and I have no choice because that’s what the undertaker put me in.”
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