Suitable music for someone with terminal illness

AlisonHarrison

My friend's husband is terminally ill and they are having a party next month whilst he is still able to enjoy it and to create happy memories.
She has asked me to take copious amounts of video on the day which I will do. I do not intend to include much of the sounds, so want to put music onto the video as there will also be photographs. So I am looking for suggestions as to which music. I don't want it to be too slow (sad) or too poignant, so was looking for some suggestions. They have a swimming pool in the garden and the kids will be splashing etc, so I was going to put Waterloo on top of that. So something "amusing" if that is possible. Possibly something with friends in the title. eg Your my best friend (Queen)
Other than that, I am stumped.

wendym

Beach Boys. Always lift my spirits.


What a lovely thing you're doing.

thorsoak

What about his favourite music? A compilation perhaps?

celyn90

Does he have any particular tracks he loves which you could work in? - that way the music acts as a memory of him as well as the footage

LilElvis

I would have thought the action in the video itself will provide the best indicator as to what songs might fit.

barbarawright

I can 100% guarentee that this swimming pool-based song will put a smile on everyone's face

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0JK4yPSgkU

AlisonHarrison

He likes Take That. Other than that 80s stuff I guess.
I don't want it to be restricted to that era because it will be a memory of him for many people, including his parents.
I don't know whether he will look at it.
May be after he dies I can put some more poignant music on it, but for the moment, just stuff to make you smile.
The footage will only be people in the garden. Groups of people. Kids playing. His son is in a plaster cast at the moment and will still be in one at the party.

peachyprice

Could you get him to compile a list of his fave music on Spotify? You could then choose appropriate ones from his list to use as the sound track. My aunt used it extensively when she was terminal, she found music from every era of her life on there and it definitely lifted her spirits.

marisco_2

I suggest finding out what the guys favourite music is and any special songs that the couple share, then applying them to the right parts of the day. Will make it personal to them and something really lovely to treasure.

LEJC

Why dont you ask everyone at the party to perhaps suggest a song that means something to them in relation to the person....if you were able to email all the guests beforehand then it will give them more time to think of something meaningful and perhaps you could edit the songs together with a caption of who suggested it

AlisonHarrison

Thanks again for all of these replies. Yes, I will definitely get some of his favourite music.
They are all trying to be upbeat at the moment, so some of his favourite music might not be suitable right at this moment. eg Angels by Robbie Williams. I know she wants the music to be cheerful at the moment, but after he dies I may change it to something more personal and poignant depending on what she wants. (I am uploading it to dropbox or You tube. I haven't decided yet)
So its upbeat or something to make you smile at the moment I was looking for.