Closing Statement: “40” by U2

Okay, this is probably weird but I have a list of songs that I want played at my funeral. This is something that I’ve thought about a lot over the years. In 2017 I made a playlist of these songs, which I modified a few times over the years. Then in 2023 I made an updated, paired down version. Assuredly it will continue to develop and change as time goes by, but there are a handful of core songs that will, more likely than not, always be there.

Each song on the list was chosen because of a story or theme or vibe or lyric.

Gang of Youths’ “Magnolia” appears because of its chorus,

There’s no way tonight, as far as I know
That heaven will take me, so I’m staggering home
Show me the way, oh, show me the light
Yeah, I’m drunk but I’m ready to kick some ass tonight (Gang of Youths, 2014).

Specifically the part “There’s no way tonight, as far as I know, That heaven will take me, so I’m staggering home.” Why would a lyric about not getting into Heaven make my funeral playlist? Have I told you about the list of reasons why I am going to Hell? No? Another time perhaps.

Along those same lines, Frank Turner’s “The Ballad of Me and My Friends” is included because of the closing refrain,

But if you’re all about the destination, then take a fucking flight
We’re going nowhere slowly, but we’re seeing all the sights
And we’re definitely going to hell
But we’ll have all the best stories to tell
Yes, I am definitely going to hell
But, I’ll have all the best stories to tell (Turner, 2008).

Sincere Engineer’s “Ghosts in the Graveyard” just feels like a last roar of defiance, while Swingin’ Utters’ “H.L.S.” is one final goodbye to a lost friend, while the Dropkick Murphys’ “As One” is a plea from a parent to have one last day with their child.

Just give me one more moment
With your shadow by my side
And we will always be together as one (Dropkick Murphys, 2003).

Finally, Frank Turner’s “Eulogy” is exactly that with its proclamation,

Well, I haven’t always been a perfect person
And I haven’t done what mom and dad had dreamed
But on the day I die I’ll say, “At least I fucking tried”

That’s the only eulogy I need
That’s the only eulogy I need (Turner, 2011).

The one song that has been on this list for over 30 years is “40” by U2.

“40” is the closing track on U2’s 1983 album War and was released as a single in Germany on August 29th that same year. As the story goes, it was the last song written and recorded for the album and they did so in under an hour. Lyrically, the song pulls from Psalm 40:1-3 and the refrain of the album’s opening track “Sunday Bloody Sunday.”

At the time of its release, War was U2’s most overtly political record with much of its inspiration coming from The Troubles in Northern Ireland. Despite this, War is an album that still resonates to this day. In fact, the opening lyrics of “Sunday Bloody Sunday” strikes a new chord with me in light of many recent events,

I can’t believe the news today
Oh, I can’t close my eyes and make it go away (U2, 1983)

It is the aforementioned refrain that bookends the album from “Sunday Bloody Sunday” through “40.”

How long? How long must we sing this song?
How long? How long?
‘Cause tonight
We can be as one, tonight (U2, 1983)

“40” is a song that transcends its Biblical inspiration with its message of perseverance through hope, community, and shared humanity.

[Pre-Chorus]
I will sing, sing a new song
I will sing, sing a new song

[Chorus]
How long to sing this song?
How long to sing this song?
How long, how long, how long
How long to sing this song? (U2, 1983)

The song is the perfect closing track, with its beautiful summation of the themes and essence of War but beyond that it has created a communal experience when played live. This was captured for the first time on the live album Under a Blood Red Sky and the concert video U2 Live at Red Rocks: Under a Blood Red Sky.

It is very possible that my feelings about this song as the album’s closing track have been influenced by my love of the live recordings that I have seen and heard, but I doubt it. At least, I don’t think that is the only reason why I see this song as a perfect way to end War. I cannot imagine this record ending any other way.

I’m not sure how or why I got the idea that I wanted “40” played at my funeral, but I do.

One final thought, my favorite version of “40” comes from the Vertigo 2005: Live from Chicago concert film. After over 30 years and this song still kills me.

References
As One. (n.d.). Genius. Retrieved January 13, 2026, from https://genius.com/Dropkick-murphys-as-one-lyrics

The Ballad of Me and My Friends. (n.d.). Genius. Retrieved January 12, 2026, from https://genius.com/Frank-turner-the-ballad-of-me-and-my-friends-lyrics

The Ballad Of Me And My Friends. (n.d.). Frank Turner. Retrieved January 12, 2026, from https://frank-turner.com/tracks/the-ballad-of-me-and-my-friends/

Blackout (Dropkick Murphys album). (2025, November 1). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Blackout_(Dropkick_Murphys_album)&oldid=1319868090

Dropkick Murphys. (2003). As One [Song]. On Blackout [Album]. Hellcat Records.

Eulogy. (n.d.). Genius. Retrieved January 12, 2026, from https://genius.com/Frank-turner-eulogy-lyrics

Eulogy. (n.d.). Frank Turner. Retrieved January 12, 2026, from https://frank-turner.com/tracks/eulogy/

40. (n.d.). U2. Retrieved January 12, 2026, from https://www.u2.com/lyrics/2

“40”. (n.d.). Genius. Retrieved January 12, 2026, from https://genius.com/U2-40-lyrics

40 by U2. (n.d.). Song Facts. Retrieved January 12, 2026, from https://www.songfacts.com/facts/u2/40

“”40” (How Long)” - U2. (n.d.). U2 Songs. Retrieved January 12, 2026, from https://www.u2songs.com/discography/u2_40_single

40 (song). (2025, May 17). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=40_(song)&oldid=1290867820

Gang of Youths. (2014). Magnolia [Song]. On The Positions [Album]. Mosy Recordings.

Ghosts in the Graveyard. (n.d.). Genius. Retrieved January 12, 2026, from https://genius.com/Sincere-engineer-ghosts-in-the-graveyard-lyrics

H.L.S. (n.d.). Genius. Retrieved January 12, 2026, from https://genius.com/Swingin-utters-hls-lyrics

Magnolia. (n.d.). Genius. Retrieved January 12, 2026, from https://genius.com/Gang-of-youths-magnolia-lyrics

Magnolia (Gang of Youths song). (2025, July 26). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Magnolia_(Gang_of_Youths_song)&oldid=1302568526

Psalm 40. (2025, August 11). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Psalm_40&oldid=1305332569

Psalms 40. (n.s.). YouVersion. Retrieved January 19, 2026, from https://www.bible.com/bible/114/PSA.40.NKJV

Sincere Engineer. (2017). Ghosts in the Graveyard [Song]. On Rhombithian [Album]. Red Scare Industries.

Swingin’ Utters. (2018). H.L.S. [Song]. On Peace and Love [Album]. Fat Wreck Chords.

Turner, F. (2008). The Ballad of Me and My Friends [Song]. On Sleep is for the Week [Album]. Xtra Mile Recordings.

Turner, F. (2011). Eulogy [Song]. On England Keep My Bones [Album]. Xtra Mile Recordings.

Under a Blood Red Sky. (2025, December 15). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Under_a_Blood_Red_Sky&oldid=1327612143

U2. (1983). “40” [Song]. On War [Album]. Island Records.

U2. (1983). Sunday Bloody Sunday [Song]. On War [Album]. Island Records.

U2. (1983). War [Album]. Island Records.

U2 Live at Red Rocks: Under a Blood Red Sky. (2025, October 21). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=U2_Live_at_Red_Rocks:_Under_a_Blood_Red_Sky&oldid=1318104037

Vertigo 2005: Live from Chicago. (2026, January 6). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vertigo_2005:_Live_from_Chicago&oldid=1331518016

War. (n.d.). Genius. Retrieved January 13, 2026, from https://genius.com/albums/U2/War

War (U2 album). (2025, December 22). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=War_(U2_album)&oldid=1328866648

Wright, V. (2018, March 10). U2 – 40. The Berean Test. https://www.thebereantest.com/u2-40