The 1969 Beatles song Ringo Starr wants played at his funeral: “Everyone singing along”

Ringo Starr has said he would choose the Beatles’ “Octopus’s Garden” to be played at his funeral, hoping that “everyone” would sing along. His choice reflects the song’s cheerful, peaceful feel and his warm, participatory approach to music.

Starr told NME he was unsure what music would be played, then named the song, one of the few Beatles tracks he wrote. George Harrison praised it as lovely and peaceful. Starr began writing it after a holiday with actor Peter Sellers, when a boat captain’s story about octopuses collecting stones and shiny objects inspired the idea.