Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds – Where the Wild Roses Grow
It seems the inclusion of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds' The Mercy Seat wasn't enough for you lot. "WRONG," said iainl, before adding, "Just a single track from Nick Cave, the greatest singer of murder and death of our times?" This track covers both life and death, and is taken from Cave's 1996 album Murder Ballads.
Flaming Lips – Do You Realize?
The more we think about it, the more unfathomable it seems that we could have forgotten a song that manages to cover the terrain of love, life and death in just four perfectly delivered lines. No wonder the state of Oklahoma declared this their official song.
Leonard Cohen – Seems So Long Ago, Nancy
Rosiejam is right to ask, "Have I missed something? There doesn't appear to be any Leonard Cohen songs on the list. This is Life and Death isn't it???". And you'd be hard pressed to find a single Cohen song that doesn't in some way allude to life's end. So we hope his 1969 farewell to the friend who opts to end her depression with a "45 beside her head" will suffice.
Fairport Convention – Who Knows Where the Time Goes
Sandy Denny's wistful rumination on the passing of the seasons received a nomination by GlasgowGill and was seconded by stegosaurus.
Kate Bush – This Woman's Work
As with Nick Cave, you couldn't get enough of Kate Bush. Davidabsolom nominated a few songs, including Bush's poignant observation of the emotional price a woman pays for a life of domesticity.
Antony and the Johnsons – Hope There's Someone
Barritus expressed a raging "AAARGH!" at the omission of this haunting opus about Antony Hegarty's fear of dying alone. Yes, we hold our hands up for forgetting this one.
Eels – PS You Rock My World
ghs86 quoted the line, "I was at a funeral the day I realised
I wanted to spend my life with you", and remarked it was "a beautiful end to an album about the death of his mum from cancer and the suicide of his sister".
True Faith – New Order
Thepuzzler nominated this one, quoting the opening lines: "I feel so extraordinary/Something's got a hold on me/I get this feeling I'm in motion." Maybe we forgot this one because the memory of its infamous music video overshadowed the song?
The River – Bruce Springsteen
"Five Dylan songs and only Bruce Springsteen?" asked, IV50. "The River alone covers most of life and death, with unemployment in between."
The Only Ones – Another Girl, Another Planet
Ironic given its name, but this song is considered the "one hit" of "one-hit wonders" Another Girl, Another Planet. Nominated by the fabulously named shameonyou with the lyrics: "I always laugh and flirt with death/I look ill but I don't care about it ..."
