Churches and crematoriums across Europe may have to update their music collections, as research out today reveals that the songs Europe’s music lovers would most like played at their funerals are famous guitar tracks by rock legends Queen, Led Zeppelin and AC/DC.

Over 45,000 music fans from across Europe were polled in the annual European Music Census compiled by Music Choice, Europe’s leading digital broadcaster.

Europeans would rather have their congregations moshing than mourning at their funerals as Queen’s Show Must Go On was voted number one funeral song by one in five Europeans, with Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven coming in second and AC/DC’s Highway to Hell third.

Queen’s Who Wants to Live Forever and Metallica’s Nothing Else Matters also featured strongly.

To prove that there are still a few sensitive types among us, melancholy favourites such as Robbie Williams’ Angels and U2’s With or Without You still managed to gain a place in the top ten, albeit modest entries at sixth and tenth respectively.

The 20,000 British participants in the Census showed their predictable side by voting Williams’ durable ballad as the top tune to bid farewell to their loved ones.

However, the Brits still managed to display a bit of that celebrated sense of irony as a whopping 18 per cent of Brits preferred to shuffle off this mortal coil to Monty Python’s Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.

Simon George, Music and Marketing Director at Music Choice said, “Music can be very personal, indeed it often helps create a sense of identity. Wanting to share your most treasured musical gem with those you’re leaving behind is the perfect way to sign off and leave a lasting impression.”

Top Ten European Funeral Songs
1. Queen – The Show Must Go On
2. Led Zeppelin – Stairway to Heaven
3. AC/DC – Highway to Hell
4. Frank Sinatra – My Way
5. Mozart – Requiem
6. Robbie Williams – Angels
7. Queen – Who Wants To Live Forever
8.The Beatles – Let it Be
9. Metallica – Nothing Else Matters
10. U2 – With Or Without You

Top Ten British Funeral Songs
1. Robbie Williams – Angels
2. Frank Sinatra – My Way
3. Monty Python – Always Look on the Bright Side of Life
4. Led Zeppelin – Stairway to Heaven
5. Queen – Who Wants To Live Forever
6. Green Day – Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)
7. REM – Everybody Hurts
8. Oasis – Live Forever
9. Bette Midler – Wind Beneath My Wings
10. Royal Scots Dragoon Guards – Amazing Grace

Website: http://www.musicchoice.co.uk/

– Press Release