The Heartbreaking Reason Cillian Murphy Chose This Specific Song for His Own Funeral

  While Cillian Murphy has built a legendary career working with directors like Ken Loach and Christopher Nolan, his most synonymous role remains the stoic Tommy Shelby in Peaky Blinders.

Off-camera, however, Murphy possesses a deeply rooted musical soul that predates his time in front of the lens. In the late 1990s, he was the lead singer and guitarist for a rock band called The Sons of Mr. Green Genes.

The young artist eventually turned down a significant record deal to pursue acting, a decision that altered the course of cinematic history. Despite choosing the big screen over the stage, he remains an avid music lover with a notoriously discerning and eclectic taste. He often shares this passion through guest appearances on radio stations where he showcases tracks that influenced his journey.

In a retrospective interview with NME, Murphy reflected on the sounds that defined his upbringing and his adulthood. He admitted that as a child, he was surrounded by his father’s traditional Irish music records, which he initially dismissed. 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.

During those sessions, he remembers being tucked away in a corner with a packet of crisps, largely ignoring the music around him. I kind of rejected all that, but now I love it, he admitted years later. He eventually returned to those vinyl records, describing the traditional sounds of his heritage as truly beautiful.

As he moved into his early twenties and committed to his acting career, Murphy found a new sonic companion in the late Nick Drake. He believes that Drake’s melancholic and introspective style is a rite of passage for many young men. I think it’s very much a young man’s kind of music. It’s a peculiar take on the world and quite a lonely take on the world, he opined.

For Murphy, Drake served as a medium through which he could explore his own identity during a formative time in his life. Even today, he finds himself returning to those haunting melodies during the late hours of the night. It is a connection to a specific period of growth that he has never quite let go of.

When the conversation eventually turned to the inevitable end of life, Murphy was asked which song he would want played at his funeral. Although he is still in the prime of his career, he had a thoughtful answer ready for the occasion. He selected the track Hymn Of The Big Wheel by the iconic trip-hop group Massive Attack.

The actor explained that the beauty of the song lies in its perspective on the cycle of life and the world at large. 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, Murphy stated. This choice reflects his appreciation for music that balances atmospheric depth with a sense of universal continuity.

Cillian Murphy has recently been riding a wave of unprecedented success following his Academy Award-winning performance in Oppenheimer. In early 2026, he is officially returning to his most famous role with the filming of the Peaky Blinders movie. The film is set during World War II and features a cast that includes Rebecca Ferguson and Barry Keoghan.

Murphy remains a private figure, splitting his time between Dublin and various international film sets. He continues to curate music for his BBC 6 Music radio show, where he introduces fans to underground artists and classic jazz. His commitment to smaller, independent projects alongside massive blockbusters has made him one of the most respected actors of his generation.

What do you think about Cillian Murphy’s choice of Massive Attack for his final farewell? share your thoughts in the comments!