Though they may not have known it, the four artists below had extremely apt final songs. Find out what send off these legendary artists had, below.
4 Final Songs Performed by Legendary Artists
1. “American Girl” – Tom Petty
Tom Petty‘s final show was on September 25, 2017. To round out that soon-to-be-historic performance, Petty ran through a particularly energetic rendition of “American Girl.” Given this song’s stature in Petty’s discography, it seems an apt send off for the rock legend. Check out the performance, below.
Well, she was an American girl
Raised on promises
She couldn’t help thinkin’ that there
Was a little more to life somewhere else
After all, it was a great big world
With lots of places to run to
And if she had to die tryin’, she
Had one little promise she was gonna keep
2. “Can’t Help Falling in Love” – Elvis Presley
“Can’t Help Falling in Love” would often close out Elvis Presley’s performances. That remained true right up until the end of his life. Despite his health declining, Presley still managed to woo the crowd with this heartfelt number. It sounded as rich as it did when Presley was in his heyday.
Wise men say
Only fools, only fools rush in
Oh, but I, but I, I can’t help falling in love with you
Shall I stay?
Would it be, would it be a sin?
If I can’t help falling in love with you
3. “We Are the Champions” – Freddie Mercury
What better song to help close out Freddie Mercury’s triumphant touring days than “We Are the Champions”? His final performance of this song was as exuberant as any. Post Mercury’s death, this performance nearly brings a tear to the eye. It feels almost prescient. Mercury took his health into account and thus gave this performance everything he had.
We are the champions, my friends
And we’ll keep on fighting till the end
We are the champions
We are the champions
No time for losers
‘Cause we are the champions of the World
4. “Changes” – David Bowie
One of David Bowie’s final songs turned out to be a duet. Joined by Alicia Keys, Bowie delivered a staple performance of one of his staple songs: “Changes.” Bowie’s star power didn’t waver an inch prior to his death. This duet with Keys proved as much.
Still don’t know what I was waitin’ for
And my time was runnin’ wild
A million dead end streets and
Every time I thought I’d got it made
It seemed the taste was not so sweet
So I turned myself to face me
But I’ve never caught a glimpse
How the others must see the faker
I’m much too fast to take that test
(Photo by Jerod Harris/Getty Images)
