Men Without Hats...

The 80s were full of acts that could be considered one or two hit wonders.  One such band was Men Without Hats, a Canadian new wave band from Montreal.  Back in 1983, they had a big hit called "The Safety Dance".

Love this jaunty medieval inspired video...

This was a band that loved its synthesizers.  Listen to "The Safety Dance" and you quickly pick up on this band's intricate keyboarding.  I was a fan of "The Safety Dance", but they kind of dropped off the radar for a few years.  Then in 1987, they came out with "Pop Goes The World".

I didn't like this one as much as I liked "The Safety Dance"...

"Pop Goes The World" has the distinction of being a song I did an aerobic dance routine to when I was in the 10th grade.  I did not choose this song.  It was chosen by a couple of the geekier girls in my P.E. class who were in my group...  Oh wait... actually, I wasn't in the group who did an aerobic routine to this.  I was in the one that used Janet Jackson's "Control".  Needless to say, that was a real hoot.  My group was a bit more racially diverse than the one that did aerobics to "Men Without Hats".  Aw shit... I don't remember.  It seems to me we did a routine to this...  maybe it was 9th grade.  Guess my memory is starting to fail.

All I remember of our aerobics routine was the beginning, which began with some unfortunate Solid Gold-esque dance moves...  I never claimed to be light on my feet.

I don't remember Men Without Hats having any other major hits, though I do remember "Pop Goes The World" being used in ads.  "The Safety Dance" was made into a parody by Weird Al Yankovic.

I actually own this album...  My ex best friend and I used to listen to the cassette all the time.  It remains a treasured memory...

Much to my surprise, according to Wikipedia, Men Without Hats is still around...  Damn, I miss the 80s.

Good funeral songs.

Today is the 25th anniversary of Andy Gibb's untimely death at age 30.  I'm also listening to music and a couple of good funeral songs just came on.  I suspect when I die, I won't know what music plays at my funeral or if anyone will even bother having one for me.  But I got to thinking about songs I like... and would want played at my funeral.  I know I've done this before... sorta.  When we lost our dog, MacGregor, back in December, I posted about songs that bring me comfort.  But just now, I was listening to a beautiful Beth Nielsen Chapman song that I would want played at my funeral.  If I outlive my husband and can stand it, maybe I'll sing it.  I even have the sheet music.

Okay, so this video is a tribute to Princess Diana, but I think it's fitting for anyone who has died...

"Sand and Water", also by Beth Nielsen Chapman, is a good song for a funeral.

I also love "Psalm 23", specifically by Eden's Bridge... (an Irish Christian band)

But what if the dearly departed had a sense of humor?  In that case, how about these songs?

I would like this one at my service...

What if you'd like to remember your loved one in a happy way?

I never really gave this song much thought as a good funeral song until we adopted our new dog, Arran, and this song randomly popped up on my iPod.  It seemed like our old dog MacGregor was sending us a message and by the time it was over, I was crying...

Seriously, though... for me, the top three songs would be good ones at my service.  I hope someone's still cares enough to attend by then.

And again, I do love "On Heaven's Bright Shore", too... would love to have the sheet music for this...