Are you planning a funeral for a Dean Martin fan? Perhaps you would like to choose one of his songs to be played at the service. Dean Martin’s music may not always make the list of top funeral songs, but his music is undoubtedly nostalgic for many.
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You may also choose to play Dean Martin songs if your loved one was proud of their Italian heritage, as many of his songs include sections sung in Italian.
Here are some of the songs made famous by the “The King of Cool.” In certain situations, they may be the right choice for your loved one’s memorial service.
Happy Dean Martin Songs for a Funeral
If you have the funeral at a place of worship, you may want to double check to see if such secular music is allowed to be played. Some choose to have spiritual songs played at the funeral, and secular music played for the funeral slideshow or during the visitation or reception.
Here are some of Dean Martin’s top songs of all time.
1. “That’s Amore” from Dean Martin Sings
Was your loved one proud of their Italian heritage? This song by Dean Martin is indeed a tribute to Italy. Consider using this song when showing photos of your loved one with their significant other. This song begins:
“When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that’s amore
When the world seems to shine like
You’ve had too much wine, that’s amore.”
2. “Ain’t That a Kick in the Head”
The beginning of a romantic relationship is described in “Ain’t That a Kick in the Head.” The song has its lighthearted moments:
“She’s telling me we’ll be wed
She’s picked out a king-size bed
I couldn’t feel any better or I’d be sick.”
3. “Powder Your Face With Sunshine”
This song’s sole purpose is to make people lighthearted and happy. Dean Martin’s recording of this song has a relatively long instrumental solo. Other singers from that era also recorded versions of this song. This song would be a great choice to play in the background of a photo slideshow.
4. “Ma Come Bali (Bella Bimba)”
This light and airy song could be used as background music during the funeral meal or repast. This song, which is sung partially in Italian, includes the line:
“Be like the sun, smile just for fun
And sing this happy song.”
5. “Mr. Booze”
Was your loved one known for the love of a good drink? This certainly isn’t the typical choice for a funeral song, but it may feel appropriate in some circumstances. It could be a humorous addition, but it is always better to err on the side of caution when making light of a deceased loved one at their service.
Sad Dean Martin Songs for a Funeral
Dean Martin’s music repertoire mostly includes love songs. Some of those songs are lighthearted and airy, and others are sweet and heartfelt. He also wrote songs about romantic breakups, some of which we included on this list.
The songs in the following list aren’t particularly “sad” in tone, but when played at a funeral, they take on additional meaning. They may even be highly emotive choices.
6. “Memories Are Made of This”
This sweet song tells the abbreviated story of a boy meeting a girl, falling in love, getting married, having kids, and living a sweet, uncomplicated life. It’s not necessarily a sad song, but it may feel bittersweet hearing it at a funeral.
It includes the stanza:
“With His blessings from above
Serve it generously with love.
One man, one wife
One love, through life.”
7. “I’ll Be Seeing You” by Dean Martin
Many singers covered “I’ll Be Seeing You,” but Dean Martin’s version is particularly good. The song describes a person thinking about their loved one while visiting “the old familiar places.” “I’ll Be Seeing You” would undoubtedly be a tear-jerker when played at a funeral.
One particularly poignant stanza says:
“I’ll find you
In the morning sun
And when the night is new.
I’ll be looking at the moon
But I’ll be seeing you.”
8. “La Vie En Rose”
If you are looking for the ultimate of love songs for your loved one’s funeral, look no further than “La Vie En Rose.” This song is swoon-worthy and will undoubtedly show others how much you miss your loved one. The lyrics also include two references to heaven:
“When you kiss me heaven sighs,” and “And when you speak angels sing from above.”
9. “Oh Marie”
Was the deceased named Marie? She may have loved this beautiful song sung by Dean Martin. The first part of his version is sung in Italian.
10. “Everybody Loves Somebody”
Was your deceased loved one a late-in-life romance? Even though the title of this song seems less than romantic, it is a song about waiting for that perfect partner.
11. “I Have But One Heart”
When heard in most situations, this Italian love song could be described as more “romantic” than “sad,” but when played at a funeral, it would undoubtedly be bittersweet.
12. “Return to Me”
Another one of Dean Martin’s Italian love songs, “Return to Me” seems like it would draw tears, as the chorus says:
“Return to me
Please, come back, bella mia
Hurry back, hurry home to my arms
To my lips and my heart.”
13. “In the Misty Moonlight”
Marital bliss is described in the song “In the Misty Moonlight.” It includes the line:
“Could be happy in one little room
With only a table and a chair
As happy as I’d be in a kingdom by the sea
Darling, if you were there
And I could be rich or I could be poor
But if you were by my side
I could be anyplace in this whole wide world
And I know I’d be satisfied.”
14. “You’ll Always Be the One I Love”
Dean Martin was the king of love songs, and this one would be particularly heartfelt if played at a funeral. It includes the line:
“My heart will feel the same old glow
Even though the stars may fade from above
I promise there will be no other arms for me.”
15. “Nobody’s Baby Again”
Some of Dean Martin’s love songs can be particularly heart wrenching and can strike a particular tone at a funeral. This song is about a lonely person who finally met the love of his life. That love ends up leaving him, and he is “nobody’s baby again.”
This may describe what you are feeling at the loss of your loved one. It includes the lines:
“When you came along, my life was a song.
I thought that my lonely would end.
Then you went away and left me to stay
And I’m nobody’s baby again.”
16. “For the Good Times”
Like many of the songs on this list, “For the Good Times” is about a sad breakup. It takes on an extra layer of meaning when played at a funeral. It begins with these lyrics:
“Don’t look so sad
I know it’s over
But life goes on
And this old world will keep on turning.”
17. “You’re Breaking My Heart”
If you could pick and choose which stanzas to include in this song, it would be very appropriate for your loved one’s memorial service. One of the sweetest lines reads,
“You’re leaving a slow dying ember
I’ll miss you, my love, when you’re gone.”
However, the song also includes the line, “you’ve fallen for somebody new” and speaks about returning and making a new start.
18. “You Belong to Me”
The singer in this song says to a lover: “no matter where you go, remember you belong to me.”
It would be also be an appropriate song for a funeral as it also provides some sweet and grieving lines like these:
“I’ll be so alone without you.
Maybe you’ll be lonesome too and blue.”
Choosing Dean Martin Songs for a Funeral or Memorial
There are so many things that can be hard to choose when trying to put together a loved one’s funeral or memorial. However, if you had a father who was a big Dean Martin fan, some of these might be the right funeral songs for your dad.
Consider looking through his favorite music albums at home, or go through playlists of frequently listened to music. It can be a great way to feel connected to a loved one you miss dearly. No matter what you choose in the end, remember that you are doing your best to honor a loved one — and that’s what matters.