Up until two weeks ago, I had devoted exactly zero seconds to thinking about my final song, so it was incredibly difficult for me to choose a song that I’d deem worthy of being played at my funeral. So difficult, in fact, that I actually spent two full weeks scouring my digital library, missing my first CoS deadline as I searched for the elusive tune that would jump out and smack me in the face–the perfect song to encompass my exact beliefs on life and death.

It couldn’t be cliché, like The Doors’ “Break On Through” or Rod Stewart’s “Forever Young”. It couldn’t be too much of a downer, because funerals are already sad enough and I want mine to celebrate a life lived fully. The song would have to be by an artist I listen to and respect; although U2 has plenty of adequate songs, I don’t listen to the band and it just wouldn’t make sense to any of my friends or family. And, of course, the song couldn’t feature storytelling lyrics that narrate some real or fictional character’s circumstance unless it completely paralleled mine.

I sought help, taking a poll of my Facebook friends and acquaintances, and received 20 responses within 10 minutes. However, most suggestions were too typical and none fit me. Clearly, the only solution would be to create a mashup of several songs featuring relevant lyrics by some of my favorite artists.

I know more than I knew before

I didn’t rest I didn’t stop

“I Feel It All”, Feist

Society, you’re a crazy breed

I hope you’re not lonely without me

“Society”, Eddie Vedder

Between two lungs it was released

The breath that captured me

The sigh that blew me forward

“Between Two Lungs”, Florence and the Machine

I want to live where soul meets body

And let the sun wrap its arms around me

“Soul Meets Body”, Death Cab for Cutie

You carry on

This is her song

This is a song for no one

“Song For No One”, Miike Snow

Ob-la-di, Ob-La-Da, Life goes on

La la how the life goes on

“Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da”, The Beatles

Get to work, Gregg Gillis.