I was at a funeral last Friday. It was for our friend, a music promoter and DJ known to all simply as Chinny.
His last goodbye, like so many of his Alfresco festivals and events, took place in a marquee full of friends and family sharing memories and music. It was a big space but not big enough to contain the emotion within it.
About an hour into the evening, the gorgeous, gentle caress of La Ritournelle by Sébastien Tellier fell upon the room. There was a collective, silent gasp. The blink of an eye, the wipe of a tear. One final communion. There are no words for the first four minutes of the song - there didn't need to be.
Moved by the moment, I quietly whispered to three of my oldest, closest friends. Within seconds, I learned that not only was it Chinny's favourite song, but it was also the - or at least a - favourite song of all four of us stood there. We've known each other for over forty years, but still music continues to surprise and enrich us through the gift of discovery.
If you're a regular reader, you'll know that dance music rarely gets a look-in on Musical Chairs. But at times like this, categories are rendered utterly meaningless. As Duke Ellington famously said: "There are only two kinds of music, good music and the other kind."
La Ritournelle is the closest thing to floating I've ever heard. Many of you will know the song. Many more will think you don't but actually do (it's been featured in numerous adverts, TV shows and major sporting events). For those yet to hear it, take a few minutes, sit down, press Play and think of someone you've lost.
This one's for you, pal.
Cool .. pressing ▶️. TY.
Lovely piece, Steve, sound like you gave your mate a fitting send-off. Many years ago I was involved in choosing the music for a friend's funeral. It was a difficult day of course but after suitably low-key songs by Leonard Cohen and The Jayhawks, we ended with Blitzkrieg Bop which at least put a smile on everyone's face as we came out.