# Favorite suicide songs **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 29, 2009, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-suicide-songs/498019 "2009-05-29T12:41:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2009, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-suicide-songs/498019/61 "2009-05-31T17:04:57Z")
And, topping the list is _[Kill Yourself](http://www.lyricsfreak.com/s/s.o.d./kill+yourself_20228078.html)_ by [S.O.D.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stormtroopers_of_Death) > [@](#): > > You’re a loser > at everything you do > A worthless loser > at everything you do > > Kill yourself, kill yourself > Why don’t you kill yourself? > Don’t rely on no one else > End it all, kill yourself, now! ---
**Author:** ![Windwalker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/5e9695/32.png) [@Windwalker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Windwalker)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-suicide-songs/498019/62 "2009-06-01T00:45:35Z")
Can’t have a thread like this without a song from the never-explicitly-suicidal-but-damn-if-you-don’t-you-get-that-impression **Elliott Smith**. From the posthumously released _King’s Crossing:_ > [@](#): > > It’s Christmas time > And the needles on the tree > A skinny Santa is bringing something to me > His voice is overwhelming > But his speech is slurred > And I only understand every other word > > Open your parachute and grab your gun > Falling down like an omen, a setting sun > Read the part and we turn out fine > It’s a hell of a role if you can keep it alive > But I don’t care if I fuck up > I’m going on a date > With a rich white lady > Ain’t life great? > Gi’me one good reason not to do it (so do it) > > This is the place where time reverses > And dead men talk to all the pretty nurses > Instruments shine on a silver tray > Don’t let me get carried away Given Elliott’s persistent struggle with drugs, I’ve always thought the skinny Santa was referring to one of those “needles on the tree”, and the rich white lady was one of his drugs of choice, heroin. Basically a self-destructive anthem that will culminate with a trip to the morgue (dead men talking to pretty nurses, instruments on a tray), and a final cry to not let himself do it. In the end, he did it (stabbed himself twice, in the heart). ☹ ---
**Author:** ![villa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc79bd/32.png) [@villa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/villa)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-suicide-songs/498019/63 "2009-06-01T01:08:39Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > That’s about suicide? 'splain, por favor (?) Now I feel like an idiot. I had always been told the song was about suicide, and I have no freaking clue why. It’s just one of those things I accepted as a fact, and seems to be completely untrue. _Shakes my fist at forgotten guy in forgotten pub decades ago._ ---
**Author:** ![Sodalite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@Sodalite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sodalite)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-suicide-songs/498019/64 "2009-06-01T04:20:08Z")
> [@villa](#): > > Now I feel like an idiot. I had always been told the song was about suicide, and I have no freaking clue why. It’s just one of those things I accepted as a fact, and seems to be completely untrue. > > _Shakes my fist at forgotten guy in forgotten pub decades ago._ I seem to recall an article or interview that mentioned the song being about Idol’s sister. He was unhappy that she was getting married just because she was pregnant. Now that I think about it, it may have been Pop Up Video on VH1. Anyway: U2 - Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of Bloodhound Gang - Hold Your Head Up High (and Blow Your Brains Out) Zeromancer - Doctor Online Nirvana - You Know You’re Right ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-suicide-songs/498019/65 "2009-06-01T05:09:49Z")
Guster “Rocketship” \*They’ll find it on the stairs Politely placed in there Been so unkind without a hint A warning sign for them Read my apology Their hope of disbelief But no denial changes things No remedy ahead I am not to be martyred I am not to be worshipped Did it not to be strong, strong, strong Implicate no others in this crime I’m off on a rocketship Prepared for something new I’m off on a rock-it-ship Ecstatic with the view I am scared for the things upcoming And I want for the things I don’t have Cannot stand to be one of many I’m not what they are\* For subtly it’s hard to top “Raining Next Door” by Ringside All the early stanzas about the neighbor say _and she says good night, but I heard her through the walls, crying there’s nothing **I could do** for the girl 'cause it’s always raining next door_ but the last says _then she said, I’m expecting a call it’s gonna be my man’s, I don’t wanna miss this one I think he’s coming home, soon and then she says goodbye, but I heard her through the walls, crying there’s nothing **I could of done** for the girl cause it’s always raining_ It takes a couple of listens to catch onto the change, but the implication that she killed herself is definitely in those slight changes. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-suicide-songs/498019/66 "2009-06-01T05:32:28Z")
[311 - Beyond the Gray Sky](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rvTuju0S9c) _Don’t give up the fight to stay alive and even if you have to Find the reason of another’s pain if they lose you If not for yourself then those around who care like I do One day you’ll see the clear blue Beyond the Gray Sky_ Nick Hexum, singer/songwriter on the song: > [@](#): > > This song is an emotional outpouring about my best friend from high school, David Barker, who suddenly took his own life last year. > Looking back reading his emails he alluded to a “cloud of darkness” in his writings. At the time, I read right past it and didn’t even notice those words. You always feel guilty like you should have tried something when something like this happens. Depression is a confused and hopeless state that drives people to desperate lengths. All I can say is don’t be afraid to talk about it and try to be open if others are trying to reach out. Also, Pantera’s Suicide Note Part II. I have no idea what he’s saying but it fuckin’ rocks. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-suicide-songs/498019/67 "2009-06-01T07:55:00Z")
The Beatles, _A Day In The Life_ I read the news today oh, boy About a lucky man who made the grade And though the news was rather sad Well, i just had to laugh I saw the photograph He blew his mind out in a car He didn’t notice that the lights had changed A crowd of people stood and stared They’d seen his face before Nobody was really sure if he was from the house of lords ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 8:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-suicide-songs/498019/68 "2009-06-01T08:27:31Z")
[This must be the best](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjMtxF6B630). But, if I were doing it I would be [playing this](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=us9aZtZ7pdE). ---
**Author:** ![Mojo\_Pin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Mojo\_Pin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mojo_Pin)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 9:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-suicide-songs/498019/69 "2009-06-01T09:54:13Z")
The Violent Femmes have a few good ones, [Country Death Song](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lwj5_SNWYc8) and [Kiss Off](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gproa6vzgws). Rocking music, awesome bass, and that batshit crazy force of nature that is Gordon Gano. Just listen to his voice! And his psychotic death stare! How can he not be totally insane? ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-suicide-songs/498019/70 "2009-06-01T10:52:19Z")
> [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > [Seasons in the Sun](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfm-17pu6SQ) is pretty upbeat, too, but I’m not sure if it’s about suicide or just someone near death. That song’s a (bad, IMO) translation of Jacques Brel’s _Le Moribund_ which is just about a dying man talking to his buddy. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-suicide-songs/498019/71 "2009-06-01T13:02:51Z")
Another great one is [Disturbed’s “Into the Fire”](http://wwecodyhhh.wordpress.com/2008/05/17/disturbed-into-the-fire-lyrics/). This link only shows the lyrics as it looks like the video has been pulled, but it’s easy enough to find on Youtube. Certainly not subtle, but it sure does rock (if you like that sort of thing). Apparently it’s based on a real life incident from the lead singer’s past. That may explain a few things about him. ---
**Author:** ![lokij](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/5e9695/32.png) [@lokij](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lokij)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-suicide-songs/498019/72 "2009-06-01T17:48:51Z")
Suicide is in there, but the song is about death in general. Jim Carroll “People who died” \* Mary took a dry dive from a hotel room Bobby hung himself from a cell in the tombs Judy jumped in front of a subway train Eddie got slit in the jugular vein And Eddie, I miss you more than all the others And I salute you brother Those are people who died, died They were all my friends, and they died\* ---
**Author:** ![The\_Real\_Regency\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@The\_Real\_Regency\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Real_Regency_Elf)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-suicide-songs/498019/73 "2009-06-01T18:58:00Z")
Boston - “Hitch A Ride” ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-suicide-songs/498019/74 "2009-06-01T20:13:25Z")
What, no love for [The Monkees](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URb8h4dLKps)? ---
**Author:** ![fusoya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecccb3/32.png) [@fusoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fusoya)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-suicide-songs/498019/75 "2009-06-01T20:23:52Z")
U2’s _A Day Without Me_, which happens to be one of the U2 songs I actually really like: I’m starting a landslide in my ego Look from the outside to the world I left behind I’m dreaming, you’re awake If I were sleeping, what’s at stake? A day without me A couple of weeks ago I was feeling a tad bit suicidal for the first time in 6 years (don’t worry, I’m over it), and I got pretty obsessed with Nirvana’s _Milk It_: I am my own parasite I don’t need a host to live We feed off of each other We can share our endorphins Look on the bright side of suicide Lost eyesight I’m on your side Angel left wing, right wing, broken wing Lack of iron and/or sleeping ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-suicide-songs/498019/76 "2009-06-01T20:47:11Z")
> [@villa](#): > > Now I feel like an idiot. I had always been told the song was about suicide, and I have no freaking clue why. It’s just one of those things I accepted as a fact, and seems to be completely untrue. > > _Shakes my fist at forgotten guy in forgotten pub decades ago._ No, not at all. I was hoping you \*did \*have the story behind this song as I can’t make heads or tails out of it. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-suicide-songs/498019/77 "2009-06-01T21:02:57Z")
> [@Mojo\_Pin](#): > > The Violent Femmes have a few good ones, [Country Death Song](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lwj5_SNWYc8) and [Kiss Off](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gproa6vzgws). Rocking music, awesome bass, and that batshit crazy force of nature that is Gordon Gano. Just listen to his voice! And his psychotic death stare! How can he not be totally insane? Is _Kiss Off_ about suicide? I thought maybe just drug abuse. “It would be bad to do it all the time.” I’m not a Femmes scholar, tho. I do think their song [Johnny](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckIx91AyOfw) is about suicide, tho. Singing to a friend who killed himself. I remember I was really into the Femmes when one of my friends’ friends killed himself. Very sad. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Scrivener](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@The\_Scrivener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Scrivener)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-suicide-songs/498019/78 "2009-06-01T21:50:10Z")
The Eels’ [“Elizabeth on the Bathroom Floor”](http://www.lyricsfreak.com/e/eels/elizabeth+on+the+bathroom+floor_20045161.html), inspired by Mark O. Everett’s sister’s suicide. ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-suicide-songs/498019/79 "2009-06-01T22:32:14Z")
> [@gallows\_fodder](#): > > That’s about his father, isn’t it? There’s a remix that uses a distorted sample of (IIRC) a Clint Eastwood movie – > > A: Do you believe in the nobility of suicide? > B: No. > > Gives me chills. Yes, it’s about his father who committed suicide. The line is from “In the Line of Fire,” btw. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-suicide-songs/498019.md?page=3)