A new survey of 30,000 funeral services in the United Kingdom over the past year has shown that there's no arguing with taste when it comes to which pop songs people most often request to see off a loved one. The study, conducted annually by Co-operative Funeralcare, reflects largely what you might expect to hear: Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli's "Time To Say Goodbye," for example, is No. 2 on this year's list, right behind Frank Sinatra's "My Way"—a song that has been No. 1 at funerals for seven straight years, despite the fact that, in most cases, had the person done things another way, he or she would still be alive.
But the big surprise on this year's list was the appearance of Adele's "Someone Like You," which landed at No. 22 on the chart even though—as Gawker points out—it's actually a song about how replaceable people can be. Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On," which came in at No. 9, is also surprising, if only because it's pretty amazing that so many people apparently find Celine Dion comforting. The Top 20 list is below.
1. Frank Sinatra, "My Way"
2. Sarah Brightman/Andrea Bocelli, "Time To Say Goodbye"
3. Bette Midler, "Wind Beneath My Wings"
4. Eva Cassidy, "Over The Rainbow"
5. Robbie Williams, "Angels"
6. Westlife, "You Raise Me Up"
7. Gerry & The Pacemakers, "You'll Never Walk Alone"
8. Vera Lynn, "We'll Meet Again"
9. Celine Dion, "My Heart Will Go On"
10. Nat King Cole, "Unforgettable"
11. Tina Turner, "The Best"
12. Whitney Houston/Dolly Parton, "I Will Always Love You"
13. Monty Python, "Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life"
14. Luther Vandross, "Dance With My Father"
15. Louis Armstrong, "Wonderful World"
16. Daniel O'Donnell, "Danny Boy"
17. Eva Cassidy, "Fields Of Gold"
18. Righteous Brothers (and various), "Unchained Melody"
19. Westlife, "Flying Without Wings"
20. Eva Cassidy, "Songbird"