My Way falls from top spot on funeral music request chart - so what's the most popular?
ITV News Reporter Martha Fairlie explores the most popular songs being played at funerals
Frank Sinatra's May Way has made way for a new number one at the top of the annual music chart of the most popular songs at funerals.
Played at 9,500 funerals over the past year, Gerry and the Pacemakers’ You’ll Never Walk Alone has claimed the top spot according to Co-op Funeralcare.
It's not the first number one for the track, having spent four weeks at the top in 1963.
Since then the ballad had been covered by Michael Ball, Sir Captain Tom Moore and the NHS Voices of Care Choir last April to raise money for charity.
The anthem is also, famously, the team song for Liverpool Football Club.
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What other tracks made the top 10?
The 10 most popular songs in the past year feature some upbeat new entries - including Tina Turner’s Simply The Best and Fleetwood Mac’s The Chain.
The Greatest Showman’s rousing theatrical showstopper This Is Me enters entered the top 10 chart for the first time too.
The move is part of a trend away from many, sad downbeat and melancholic songs.
Were there any surprises?
They may not have made the top 10 requests last year, but there were some people who requested some out of the ordinary tracks.
W.A.P by Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion was among the more controversial requests received by Co-op Funeralcare colleagues.
For the dry comics among us, Girl On Fire by Alicia Keys was another left field request.
F*** Forever by Babyshambles, Ha Ha You’re Dead by Green Day, and Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead from The Wizard of Oz were also some choices.
Restrictions imposed on funerals due to the pandemic meant the way music was played at funerals changed in some instances, with pre-recorded music the most popular.
Sam Tyrer, managing director of Co-op Funeralcare, said: “Music plays such a big part in all of our lives, it’s no surprise that our favourite songs play a role in the way we say goodbye too.
“The songs we choose for a funeral all hold unique and personal meaning for ourselves and loved ones but naturally some songs remain more popular than others and we’re delighted to unveil this year’s music chart.
“Each element of a funeral is a very personal choice and we’re encouraging the nation to be more open about their funeral wishes, music is a really simple and comforting place to start.”
Hannah Ingram-Moore, daughter of Captain Sir Tom Moore and co-founder of The Captain Tom Foundation, said: “My father loved the song You’ll Never Walk Alone because, just like him, it was full of hope."