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Music

Music

I had lunch recently with a couple of friends in the industry. The conversation focused around our own feelings and emotions, dealing with death on a daily basis. How we interact with those about to die and those left behind. It’s something I really never thought about when I jumped into this.

We talked about how music is such a trigger - no matter how detached you might be - to turn on the waterworks.

Don’t get me wrong, detached in a professional way. Keeping composure.

The following day my daughter - playing her usual game of if you had to choose - asked me, if I had to listen to one song for the rest of my life, what would it be? 🎶

I didn’t hesitate. Spiegel im Spiegel by Estonian composer, Arvo Pärt.

She obviously asked why it wasn’t Levitating by Dua Lipa or Camila Cabello’s latest track or Bruises by Lewis Capaldi… 🙄 We were driving, so I asked Siri to play it and said, “Sweetheart, when I hear this song, I see your mother, your brother and you. I can take myself back, what seems like a lifetime ago, and hold your brother’s hand while he falls asleep in his cot. I hear you giggle as you discover yourself in the mirror for the first time. I see your mum assembling kitchen cabinets at 8 months pregnant.” She held my hand and watched the tear roll down my cheek.

Getting back to the conversation, and I have embraced this work and deal pretty well. But if I’m at a funeral and someone plays Spiegel im Spiegel, I might need a minute to recalibrate…

What is your forever song? What song brings back memories? What song would you have a a funeral?

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