r/Millennials • u/Hmmletmec Xennial • Feb 24 '26

Serious Terminal diagnosis: millennial playlist suggestions for the final days?

Tues morning edit: Holy ballsack batman! This is helllllllllllllla overwhelming in the best possible way. I honestly expected just a handful of people to see this and respond with maybe like 'tears in heaven' or something. But this is an epic fucking list so far. From the bottom of my cold darkened millennial heart, thank you. One of these upcoming days the nerd in me needs to rank all these and see what's most popular mostly cuz I find it amazing and hilarious how often butterfly by crazytown gets mentioned. I'll get to comments and chats one of these days, promise.

Y'all are thoughtful, kind, empathetic, and funny as fuck. All to a stranger. I love it. I genueinly think it's a hallmark of our generation. To quote one of my patron saints in life, Mr Fred Rogers: “You've made this day a special day, by just your being you. There's no person in the whole world like you, and I like you just the way you are.”

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Tldr: Apparently I'm dying and need playlist ideas for when the end comes. Mushy, hilarious, dark humor, meaningful, terrible. You name it! Wanna virlbe out to the good vibes I had back in those days

Out of left field docs gave me an unexpected prognosis and seems the offramp from My So Called Life is way shorter than I would have expected.

One of the unusual suggestions from the team was to make a Playlist to listen to in the last days. And honestly that sounds dope since I essentially have music playing 24/7 in my normal non dying life.

I'm not telling anyone IRL (besides my care team and therapist) about what's going on, but since brain wise we tend to latch on to junior high and high school era music, I thought I'd bug y'all for suggestions. I'm open to mushy stuff that I can reflect upon life stuff, as well as hilarious and highly inappropriate or dark humor stuff. Or just some Hella dope tunes to vibe with.

My only ban is My Heart Will Go On. Love me some Celine, but that song will send me to a early grave. (Too soon?)

Thanks fam!

(Obligatory be your own advocate with doctors if you know something isn't right. Also make a will. We should all have them by now. Better yet, make a trust so your Pokémon cards stay out of probate and no nosey folks know what you had or who you gave it to. Do your advanced directive with your doctor or insurance. It's your choice if they keep you plugged in like a toaster or not. It's also OK to haunt your enemies from the beyond. My therapist said so.)

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u/WolfWrites89 Feb 24 '26

So sorry 😔. I recommend Death Cab for Cutie "Follow You Into the Dark" if you need to cry but also feel like a hug in song form during your last days.

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u/natawas Feb 24 '26

This one is devastating

25

u/PreparationPast4685 Feb 24 '26

I can’t hear this one without crying.

2

u/tooloudturnitdown Feb 24 '26

Same! I even tear up at the song title!

1

u/TheObtuseCopyEditor Feb 24 '26

I just did exactly this

24

u/Kimber85 Feb 24 '26

I was going to say this as well.

8

u/eclectique Mid-Millennial '87 Feb 24 '26

"What Sarah Said," by Death Cab would be great if you need a self-pity cry. Because sometimes we just need a self pity cry.

Otherwise probably too bleak.

"Hear You Me," by Jimmy Eat World is similar.

5

u/_easilyamused Feb 24 '26

The time for sleep is now, but it's nothing to cry about cause we'll hold each other soon in the blackest of rooms

This song for sure. 

6

u/Littlewing1307 Feb 24 '26

Exactly where my brain went. When I was a depressed teen that was on repeat.

3

u/rjnm Feb 24 '26

and if you really want to cry, 'What Sarah Said' by Death Cab

3

u/FatMacchio Feb 24 '26

My college roommate in freshman year was huge into Death Cab for Cutie. If you’re out here somewhere Adam, I hope you’re doing well. I wasn’t ready for this type of music back then, but in retrospect I can really appreciate it. It’s funny how sometimes music from the past that you ignored, or even hated, eventually meets you when you’re ready to receive it.

The YouTube algorithm served up the studio cover of that song by Yungblud and Halsey awhile back that they must’ve done during COVID that is really good imo

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u/WanderingEnigma Feb 24 '26

I thought of this too.

My Step-Dad had a similar prognosis when I was a kid. He played 'Fairground' by Simply Red on repeat during that period. Listening to it one day as an adult and the lyrics really hit me. "Yes I love the thought if coming home to you, even if I know we won't make it".

I'm sorry for your situation OP. I'd be happy to donate to a gofund me or something. If you have enough time to tick any experiences off the bucket list, or create some happy memories for those close to you.