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The song John Lydon wants played at his funeral: “Pure tears”
John Lydon, the former Sex Pistols frontman known as Johnny Rotten, has said he wants Mozart’s Requiem played at his funeral. The choice contrasts with his provocative punk image and shows the more reflective side he has discussed in interviews.
Lydon named the Requiem in a 2015 Guardian questionnaire and has said he listened to it repeatedly after his father died. He particularly likes the version used in Stanley Kubrick’s *Barry Lyndon*, recalling that it brought him to tears. In Co-op Funeralcare’s chart, Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli’s ‘Time to Say Goodbye’ ranks first and Frank Sinatra’s ‘My Way’ second; Mozart’s Requiem is outside the top ten.
In short
- John Lydon wants Mozart’s Requiem at his funeral.
- He says the piece moved him to tears.
- The Requiem contrasts with his punk persona.
Explained simply
John Lydon became widely known as Johnny Rotten, the singer of the Sex Pistols, whose confrontational style helped make the band a defining act of British punk in the 1970s. Since then, he has also spoken about family life, grief and music that has personal meaning to him.
Mozart’s Requiem is a work of classical music written for voices and orchestra, traditionally associated with mourning. Lydon has said he listened to it after his father died and was moved to tears by a version featured in the film Barry Lyndon.
Funeral music choices can reflect both personal memories and wider musical tastes. In a Co-op Funeralcare chart, popular choices include “Time to Say Goodbye” and “My Way”, while Mozart’s Requiem sits outside the top ten.