Cillian Murphy Reveals the Heartbreaking Song He Wants Played at His Funeral

Cillian Murphy is best known to the world as the steely Tommy Shelby from Peaky Blinders, but off-screen, he has always had a deep love for music.

Before acting became his career, Murphy was the lead singer and guitarist for a rock band called The Sons of Mr. Green Genes in the late 1990s. He even turned down a major record deal to focus on acting, a choice that changed the path of his life.

Murphy has never lost his passion for music, often sharing his favorite tracks on radio shows and talking about the artists who shaped him. In an interview with NME, he looked back at the sounds that influenced him growing up and into adulthood. As a child, he was surrounded by his father’s traditional Irish music records.

“There was a lot of that played when I was a kid. I would’ve gone to a lot of trad sessions as a child,” he recalled. He admitted he ignored much of it at the time, hiding in a corner with a packet of crisps. “I kind of rejected all that, but now I love it,” he said, calling the music truly beautiful.

As he moved into his twenties and pursued acting, Murphy discovered the work of the late Nick Drake. He described Drake’s music as a “young man’s kind of music,” noting its lonely and introspective nature. The songs helped him explore his own identity during an important period of personal growth, and he still finds himself returning to those haunting melodies late at night.

When asked in the same interview what song he would want played at his funeral, Murphy had a thoughtful answer. He chose Hymn of the Big Wheel by Massive Attack. “That’s a pretty beautiful song, and I like the sentiment of it. It’s kind of a hopeful song – y’know, the big wheel keeps turning,” he explained. For Murphy, the track reflects life’s cycles and a sense of continuity, balancing depth with hope.

Murphy’s career continues to reach new heights. Following his Academy Award-winning performance in Oppenheimer, he is returning to his iconic role in the Peaky Blinders movie, set during World War II, alongside Rebecca Ferguson and Barry Keoghan.

Despite his global fame, Murphy keeps a relatively private life, dividing his time between Dublin and international film sets. He continues to curate music for his BBC 6 Music show, highlighting underground artists and classic jazz. Balancing blockbuster films with smaller, personal projects has earned him respect as one of his generation’s most talented and thoughtful actors.

What do you think of Cillian Murphy’s choice of Massive Attack for his funeral? Share your thoughts in the comments.