As Rod Stewart looks back on a life that has taken him from the backstreets of London to the world’s grandest stages, he has been surprisingly candid about how he wants to be remembered. Now in his early eighties, Stewart has shared that the one song he wants played at his funeral is not one of his own iconic hits, but In My Life by The Beatles—a choice that speaks volumes about his heart and the life he’s led.
Before becoming the global superstar with a voice that’s instantly recognizable, Stewart’s beginnings were humble. As a young man in London, he worked as a gravedigger at Highgate Cemetery—a job that brought him face-to-face with mortality long before fame arrived. Those early years, shaped by struggle, friendships, and the vibrant energy of the 1960s music scene, remain integral to how Stewart views his life today. Choosing In My Life as his funeral song feels like a full-circle moment.
Written mainly by John Lennon and released in 1965 on Rubber Soul, In My Life is considered one of the most poignant songs about memory, love, and the passage of time. Its lyrics reflect on places left behind, friends lost, and the enduring bonds that survive change. For Stewart, these themes echo his own journey—one filled with mentors, bandmates, lovers, and lifelong friends, many of whom are no longer here.
“I want this melody to remind you that I loved you all,” Stewart has said, describing the song as the perfect expression of gratitude. Rather than choosing one of his own classics like Sailing or Forever Young, he prefers the universality of a Beatles song that belongs to everyone. It’s less about celebrating his own legacy and more about honoring those who shaped him long before he became famous.
Stewart’s connection to The Beatles is also personal. He once recorded Mine for Me, a song written for him by Paul McCartney, highlighting the mutual respect between two icons of British music. This shared history makes his choice of a Lennon–McCartney song feel intimate and fitting.
After surviving both prostate and thyroid cancer and continuing to perform well into his eighties, Stewart has spoken openly about his lack of fear of death. His choice of In My Life reflects his peace with the passage of time. It’s not a song of sadness, but of acknowledgment—a quiet thank-you for a life fully lived. In the end, Rod Stewart’s final request isn’t about mourning an ending, but about celebrating love, memory, and the simple truth of one enduring line: in my life, I loved them all.
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=122250398120137694&set=a.122140721102137694