‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ tops Co-op Funeralcare’s Music Chart
The music chart, which is now celebrating its 20th year having first launched in 2002, is based on data and insights from Co-op Funeralcare’s own funeral directors and arrangers
Co-op Funeralcare has revealed Gerry and the Pacemaker’s ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ has hit the top spot in its annual music chart of most popular farewell songs as its data reveals it has been played at an estimated 9,500 funerals over the past year.
The Gerry and The Pacemakers hit, which spent four weeks at number one in 1963,
was also covered by Michael Ball, Sir Captain Tom Moore and the NHS Voices of Care Choir last April to raise money for charity.
In another shift, the top 10 features a number of upbeat new entries including Tina Turner’s feelgood hit ‘Simply the Best’ at number four and Fleetwood Mac’s ‘The Chain’.
Meanwhile, The Greatest Showman’s ‘This Is Me’ has entered the chart for the first time at number 10, which the Co-op said could mean that for many, “sad downbeat and melancholic songs could be falling out of favour”.
The music chart, which is now celebrating its 20th year having first launched in 2002, is based on data and insights from Co-op Funeralcare’s own funeral directors and arrangers, who conduct approximately 100,000 funerals a year.
Among the more controversial requests received by Co-op Funeralcare colleagues are ‘W.A.P’ by Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion, ‘Girl on Fire’ by Alicia Keys, ‘F*** Forever’ by Babyshambles, ‘Ha Ha You’re Dead’ by Green Day, and ‘Ding Dong! The Witch is Dead’ from The Wizard of Oz. Potentially offensive songs are often refused by a third-party, such as the chosen venue or person ordaining the funeral.
Pauline McAvoy, funeral service manager at Co-op Funeralcare, said: “’You’ll Never Walk Alone’ really has been a stand-out song over the last year – it’s sentiments around weathering the storm of life by coming together and supporting one another have really struck a chord with so many after the extraordinary events of the last eighteen months. It’s a beautiful melody which carries such deep meaning.”
