Keith Richards names the one Rolling Stones song he wants played at his funeral
By Lee Vowell
We all have to go some time. If that is breaking news to you, and I am sure it isn't, then I am sorry. Still, we are all music lovers, right? How many times has it crossed your mind, "When they hold my funeral, these are the songs I want to be played"?
This is the last moment many people are ever going to spend with us, so why not let them know the music you truly loved? You only get to exit stage right once as far as mortality is concerned. You might as well give people a good time on your way out the door.
The question was proposed to iconic Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards in an interview with GQ far back in 2008. His answer was "Tumbling Dice," a track of gambling and love. The track is nearly perfect with Mick Jagger's vocals being among his best ever and Richards riffing away only like he can.
Keith Richards has one Rolling Stones song he wants played at his funeral
To be fair, Richards said that "Tumbling Dice" best represented his philosophy of life. The lyrics are about the freedom of not being tied down. Not trying to keep from falling in love, but being in control of one's emotions if that does happen.
Richards has always been a free spirit, of course. That's part of the draw of the Rolling Stones anyway. One can never be too sure which direction they will go but never leaving the fan base behind. A Rolling Stones song now has hints of how the band sounded in the 1960s. Yet, somehow they have kept being original.
Because "Tumbling Dice" best represents Richards's philosophy on life, it would only make sense for that to be the song he leaves us with at his parting. Though the answer to which song he wants to be played at his funeral likely came with a wry smile. He said when asked about the tune being played, "I hope so. Just as long as I’m not there."