So, I used to have this incredibly long list of songs from multiple genres that I thought really communicated who I was. I (not so jokingly) would call it the songs you can play at my funeral list. The list was never really written down and many of the songs were chosen before the days of Spotify playlists; so some things that should be forgotten were lost. Let's say my taste has changed over time. You're welcome.
Realizing that I would actually need a list, I decided on the ones you see here. Just five songs from four albums - now not so much about me, but rather about the dying itself and the faith I've found to be faithful through my life. I've intentionally not included any of the lyrics here in the blog. You'll have to check-out the Spotify Playlist itself for those goodies.
1. Grave Robber - Not of This World (Petra) 1983
Grave Robber is first, and rightfully so. It was the first of that meandering list I built and has consistently held a top spot.
By no means was this Petra's greatest song or album, but the in your face answer to death spoke to what I thought was rebel me. Keep in mind there were plenty of folks in my life that thought rock music was literally evil; so giving them a bit of Thessalonians in a power ballad seemed like a good gotcha at the funeral. And that's what funerals are all about to a 10 year old right?
Grave Robber also represents what death was for that 10 year old kid. Superhero Jesus was there to kick Death's butt. Something far off that was apparently inconsequential (according to the song and the Apostle Paul). I think it's stayed on the list as a defiance not to the people - but to an increasingly real fact of life. It's probably also a good opportunity to introduce younger generations to one of the two best male vocalists in Christian Rock.
2. What Do I Know? - Conversations (Sara Groves) 2001
By the time the millennium turned over, I was happily married with two little ones and not a lot time for listening to music … or at least not music that made this list. I heard about this album from a mutual friend, and recognizing Sara from college, decided to give it a go.
This became our mini-van soundtrack for a bit and I'm pretty sure the kids know it all to well from the days we drove through miles of corn fields to get anywhere, and those other days that had us moving to suburbia and a fenced in yard with leaves to rake,
Of the multiple songs on the album that challenged me, What Do I Know? stuck out - not because I knew anyone that was dying at the moment or because I was particularly all that concerned about the logistics of heaven. Still it questioned what I believed about what was unspecified in life and death and whether I was only good at trusting what was spelled out for me. Ultimately, this song added a point of reference to all the big questions in life for me: What have I learned so far about the character of God and what does that say about what I'm facing?
** Bonus Double Play **
The Far Country (Andrew Peterson) 2005
Almost 10 years later, we were back in those same corn fields we had moved away from before (with a different mini-van). I'm not sure if the CD came first or a concert, but I ended up with yet another soundtrack. It wasn't his latest release, but the album art reminded me of a great story. The kids were older and I was often driving them to Wednesday night church activities with friends in tow, this CD in the player. They still refer to this as the "Death' album, so I'm sure that no one in the family is surprised it made the list on dying … and with 2 song picks.
3. The Havens Grey
Speaking of good stories, Peterson is a fantastic author and I recommend his Wingfeather series any chance I get. One of the reasons I connect so well with his music is that he drops in little bits of stories: family stories, fantasy literature references, other songwriters stories etc. The Havens Grey is not a "little bit" but a full shovel of Tolkien's Middle Earth and more. For those of you that are Tolkien fans, I won't spoil all the fun parts of what is most definitely not a fun song. And even if you don't know a hobbit from a dwarf, you can hear the magic of a song that manages to sit in two worlds at the same time. And for those that were wondering if it truly earned it's place on the "Death Album". Yes, it is in fact about dying - sort of … and that's the point.
4. More
If Grave Robber exemplifies my thoughts on dying as a child, More seems to sum them up now. I've mentioned to Tonya that learning I was dying included a few "why" conversations with God, but much of those conversations were already done years before in knowing what I can of Him and who/what I am/am not. As I write this, I know that I'm not yet to the hardest part of all, and there are still some moments I need to learn from; for example, my serene and saintly demeanor does not appear to have kicked in yet.
This seems like an appropriate time to talk about what's not on this list: Amazing Grace. I've been accused of not liking the #1 funeral song of all time. This is not entirely true; "Grace" really is an Amazing hymn. When you have some time, dig into all the different verses it's had over the years and which ones they don't sing at your church 😉 My hang-up with the song is that it's seen as some sort of short hand for being a believer … as if knowing the lyrics to three verses is the only connection with God you need. You need MORE. Not more in a hidden secret code sort of way - just more of what's out there for you to explore about your faith.
Yes, John 3:16 does a great job of pinpointing the Gospel; but pull the thread a little - find MORE. Find more about why someone dying for you would even work. Other people have died for other people in pretty horrible ways before. Why does it matter who? And how long has He been telling us He would do it and showing us how nothing else could work?.... MORE! No matter where you are in your faith journey and even if you don't know more than the first couple of lines they sing at all those funerals.
5. He Has Formed Me - Hymns (2nd Chapter of Acts) 1986
If you grew up long enough ago to have seen or felt the effects of the Jesus People or Jesus Music movements in the 70's, you'll recognize "2CA" harmonies from the start and know that these three siblings defined some of the first Christian Rock and impacted what was to come for decades. The Hymns project from later in their run has given me the way I hear most of these church standards in my head to this day - even if it does make How Great Thou Art impossible to sing along with at the notes Matthew is hitting.
This one was the last add to my list - and not just because I wanted to introduce younger generations to the other top male vocalist in Christian Rock.
He Has Formed Me is a short track (less than 2 minutes long) that I've learned was added at the last minute for runtime. The only original song on the album, it still fits and is a few extra moments of C2A harmony that starts out in familiar territory lyrically about some of the nice parts of heaven. (If you want a MORE moment, you can dig into whether it's describing being dead in Christ now, or some other time (if there is even a difference).
After all the lyrics you'd expect, it smacks you with a last line that really has to be the best thing about death I've ever heard.
—-
That’s it. Now go listen to some good music and let it change who you are or at least show you more about who you are and could be. This is one of my playlists. Feel free to listen … but find your own and look for MORE.
Chad
written 7/20/23
Chad passed away on December 5, 2025. Leaving a legacy of love, laughter, and learning. Per his wishes, this blog was posted after his death and with his permission read and shared at his memorial service.
We love you, and miss you Chad - (T)
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