At Your Funeral

Lord Huron, Noah Kahan, Two Ophelias, and Funeral Playlists

“I’ve looked for love in all the same old places

Found the bottom of a bottle always dry”

-Chris Stapleton

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What did you think of Stapleton’s Super Bowl opener? America’s Anthem, in Stapleton’s true mellow and emotional fashion, brought the Eagles coach to tears. Who is your vote for the 2024 National Anthem artist?

This week, we bring you three songs from artists we’d vote to see sing the Anthem before the big game. Also, don’t miss the bonus track: Kody’s first entry into music swapping. It will help you make better sense of this newsletter. Heck, it might even help you make better sense of your life.

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Love Me Like You Used To by Lord Huron (Ben)

This is one of those nice Friday afternoon jams. You could listen to it (and most of their new album) a couple times in a row while wrapping up your emails and you will be nodding your head to the groove without noticing. Even if you are unfamiliar with Lord Huron, you might find yourself singing along quickly. The lyrics of this particular song will take you to relationship regrets and wishes, i.e. songwriters gold. If you need something between eclectic indie rock and classic cowboy vibes, Lord Huron might be your ticket this weekend. (I almost picked ‘Fool for Love’ if you want a second LH rec.)

Also available on Apple Music.

Stick Season by Noah Kahan (Kody)

Noah Kahan is hard for me to pin down. He can go catchy fast-paced and then slow things down for an emo-like ballad. Either way, this hopeless romantic is going to woo you with his heartfelt lyrics and powerful vocals. Sometimes he sounds like pop. Other times he sounds like indie rock. Is he indie pop? Wikipedia says he’s folk-infused pop. I was close! 

I personally appreciate his self-deprecating style and sense of humor. He’s also not afraid to roast his home state of Vermont. That’s clear in his new album, Stick Season. For those currently living in a stick season region, you have a friend in Noah Kahan. I’ve selected the title track for my song but there isn’t a bad minute on the entire album.

Also available on Apple Music.

Ophelia by The Band and The Lumineers (Jonathan)

Ophelia is the title of two different songs by two different bands, and I happen to love them both. The Band, the famous Canadian/American folk rock group of the 60s/70s and beyond, recorded their Ophelia in the mid-70s and is about the search for a lady friend who has left town. 

The Lumineers, also a folk rock band (but more of a modern brand of folk than the rootsy county flare of The Band), recorded their song Ophelia in 2016, which helped solidify them as a group that was here to stay. 

While The Lumineers’ Ophelia is vaguely referring to the Hamlet character by the same name, The Band’s Ophelia is said to come from Minnie Pearl’s real name! 

Mix a little old with the new by putting both Ophelias in a playlist with other songs by these great artists. 

Also available on Apple Music - Ophelia old and Ophelia new.

Bonus Track: My Father’s Funeral Playlist by Kody Gibson

In life, we’re sometimes prompted to think of our own funeral. It’s an exercise that sobers us. It certainly did for King Solomon: “It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart. (Ecclesiastes 7:2) 

This time of the year always takes me back to the house of mourning. Feb. 21 will mark 5 years since my father, Dennis Gibson, passed away suddenly. My dad was my first source of swapping music. My first conscious memory of hearing John Prine's songs takes place in the backseat of a red Buick on I-44 en route to Springfield, MO. I’ve written about my dad’s influence on me via John Prine and Jesus here. 

A couple of years before he died, my dad randomly texted me and my sister the songs he wanted played at his funeral. That’s right, his funeral playlist. Kind of a weird thing to do. Most people, when considering their death, want to talk about what to do with the house, the 401K, or other things related to possessions. Not dad. He wanted to flex his favorite bands. What a guy. 

Here’s his list. Notice the bossy request “in this order.” Okay, dad (strong eye roll).

We played a few of those for him at the funeral, but gladly cut some, partly because they weren’t fit for First Baptist Edmond, OK, but also because we wanted to replace them with a few songs that showcased God’s enduring grace and mercy in his life. 

So we’re using The Music Swap to give dad his moment. Your full funeral playlist can play here, dad. 

If this little reflection has prompted you to think of your own funeral, I think that’s a good thing. My guess is you’ll live wiser today because of it. If you do end up going there, I want to hear about your funeral playlist. What 3-5 songs best define you, bring you the most joy, or express what you want to be about in this life? Give me at least one non-hymn / worship song. Here are mine: 

1. His Mercy Is More—Matt Boswell and Matt Papa 

2. My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less—Edward Mote

3. Every Grain of Sand—Bob Dylan performed by Derek Webb on House Shows 

4. Rock of Ages—Sandra McCraken

5. Changes—Ruston Kelly 

Ruston might not make the cut at First Baptist and I’d fully expect my family to replace him with more songs about grace. For in every turning of my life, I’ve been met with grace upon grace.

-TheMusicSwap

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Thanks for reading The Music Swap. Don’t forget we have a playlist with all of the songs covered by Jonathan, Kody, and Ben.