# Looking for songs/music about depression & suicide. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 10, 2015, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-songs-music-about-depression-suicide/740049 "2015-12-10T05:34:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Foggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foggy/32/1082_2.png) [@Foggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Foggy)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2015, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-songs-music-about-depression-suicide/740049/1 "2015-12-10T05:34:39Z")
Yeah, I’m becoming a one trick jackass, I’m sorry. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Then what of songs & music? How much more can they express what words alone can not? Someone somewhere must have written a song about depression from a first person POV. Searching You Tube has so far been fruitless. There are songs out there, but so far all I seem to find are ones aimed at young women & teenagers. I’m not sad because my boyfriend dumped me, I’m not cutting, & I’m not staving myself (maybe I should). I’m a 50something fat gay man, who has been dealing with depression for decades. There must be something out there that speaks to me, right? Thank you for your time. PS: No need to tell me I should get help, I have and it hasn’t. ---
**Author:** ![TCMF-2L](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tcmf-2l/32/16553_2.png) [@TCMF-2L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TCMF-2L)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2015, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-songs-music-about-depression-suicide/740049/2 "2015-12-10T05:49:07Z")
Well there is Suicide is Painless, the theme from M_A_S\*H but I would suggest Alone Again, Or either the original by Love or I rather like the version by UFO. Although UFO are known as a hard rock band they are very restrained on this track. TCMF-2L ---
**Author:** ![Scribble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scribble/32/3317_2.png) [@Scribble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scribble)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2015, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-songs-music-about-depression-suicide/740049/3 "2015-12-10T06:09:06Z")
Leonard Cohen’s [Dress Rehearsal Rag](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNTFqSaFwyo) might be what you’re looking for. ---
**Author:** ![Sefton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Sefton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sefton)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2015, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-songs-music-about-depression-suicide/740049/4 "2015-12-10T06:12:21Z")
[Gloomy Sunday](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUCyjDOlnPU) - Billie Holliday [Alone Again (Naturally)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-Mjx4WY2xM)- Gilbert O’Sullivan [Tomorrow is Today](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCiW161e_YI) - Billy Joel [Pathetique](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaB8cBW2Qrc) - Ludwig van Beethoven (played by Radu Lupu) ---
**Author:** ![Oly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oly/32/8255_2.png) [@Oly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oly)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2015, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-songs-music-about-depression-suicide/740049/5 "2015-12-10T06:15:27Z")
Rainy Days And Mondays. ---
**Author:** ![Scribble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scribble/32/3317_2.png) [@Scribble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scribble)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2015, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-songs-music-about-depression-suicide/740049/6 "2015-12-10T06:27:32Z")
[Asleep](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIJAUVC7sQ), by The Smiths. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2015, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-songs-music-about-depression-suicide/740049/7 "2015-12-10T06:50:14Z")
“Auf Wiedersehen” by Cheap Trick, if you want an upbeat tune to go along with it. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/0tFlCGZJ6qw/maxresdefault.jpg "Cheap Trick, "Auf Wiedersehen"") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tFlCGZJ6qw) ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2015, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-songs-music-about-depression-suicide/740049/8 "2015-12-10T07:05:00Z")
I would’ve said “Dress Rehearsal Rag” as well. Cohen’s “Avalanche” from the same album maybe? Elliot Smith - take your pick. Here’s the [suicide scene from Royal Tennenbaums](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pyBB7y8fDU), but he was more depressing songs just by the music. Killed himself (maybe), although Luke Wilson and his character are okay. Joy Division - take your pick. Maybe “Something Must Break.” Lead singer killed himself and they became New Order, and became only somewhat less depressing. Los Campesinos! - “The Sea is a Good Place to Think of the Future” has been a go-to for me at certain times. Mark Kozelek/Red House Painters/Sun Kil Moon. Maybe RHP’s “Shadows.” The Smiths/Morrissey has good ones, although gets too maudlin sometimes, and sometimes you just want to punch him. It’s a common occurrence. Good luck, I don’t think you’re a one trick pony in at least I don’t see your name on a thread and immediately think “not this again!” which I can’t say for every poster. > [@Sefton](#): > > [Gloomy Sunday](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUCyjDOlnPU) - Billie Holliday Rezső Seress is the original artist. Killed himself. ---
**Author:** ![TCMF-2L](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tcmf-2l/32/16553_2.png) [@TCMF-2L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TCMF-2L)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2015, 8:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-songs-music-about-depression-suicide/740049/9 "2015-12-10T08:43:37Z")
Manic Street Preachers. Holy Bible is the most intense look at depression. Everything Must Go explores the same themes but is musically far more accessible. Lyricist Ritchie Edwards was himself depressed, self harmed, had male anorexia. He disappeared after the album Holy Bible and is presumed to have committed suicide jumping off a bridge (his body never found) but he left enough lyrics for Everything Must Go. TCMF-2L ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2015, 10:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-songs-music-about-depression-suicide/740049/10 "2015-12-10T10:00:49Z")
_Exit Music (For A Film)_ by Radiohead (naturally). Written for the Baz Luhrmann _Romeo and Juliet_, IIRC. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2015, 10:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-songs-music-about-depression-suicide/740049/11 "2015-12-10T10:21:39Z")
_Adam’s Song_; Blink 182. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2015, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-songs-music-about-depression-suicide/740049/12 "2015-12-10T10:30:29Z")
On further consideration, most of Radiohead’s output is about being depressed and/or suicidal (consider “Creep” or “No Surprises”, for example). ---
**Author:** ![K364](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k364/32/5_2.png) [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2015, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-songs-music-about-depression-suicide/740049/13 "2015-12-10T10:38:20Z")
The classic “Mad World” by Gary Jules… [Link](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHtcliIvnHI) “… and I find it kind of funny, I find it kind of sad. That dreams in which I’m dying are the best I’ve ever had” ---
**Author:** ![buddha\_david](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee7513/32.png) [@buddha\_david](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddha_david)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2015, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-songs-music-about-depression-suicide/740049/14 "2015-12-10T12:00:22Z")
Just about everything by **The Cure.** “The Same Deep Water As You” is their most depressing song ever. **Type O Negative** has some good wrist-slashers, esp. “Bloody Kisses” and “Everyone I Love Is Dead”. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2015, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-songs-music-about-depression-suicide/740049/15 "2015-12-10T12:59:03Z")
[spoiler]Many of her early songs deal with the topic. Some songs are very direct, some are not, but the topic is something she struggled with and came out the other side thanks to getting it out through music. Here are a few songs. There are several more. “Possessed” [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/ZmCbggDcN00/hqdefault.jpg "Happy Rhodes - Rhodes I - 05 - "Possessed" (1986)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmCbggDcN00) “Suicide Song” [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/HY8kQPe66iQ/hqdefault.jpg "Happy Rhodes - Rhodes I - 15 - "Suicide Song" (1986/1992)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HY8kQPe66iQ) “I Have A Heart” [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/YWMtG7FMBgs/hqdefault.jpg "Happy Rhodes - RhodeSongs (1994 compilation) - 11 - "I Have A Heart"") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWMtG7FMBgs) “The First To Cry” [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/6mmwLgPQpP4/hqdefault.jpg "Happy Rhodes - Rhodes I - 11 - "The First To Cry" (1986)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mmwLgPQpP4) “Lay Me Down” [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/sF3nyqRTXjM/hqdefault.jpg "Happy Rhodes - Warpaint - 07 - "Lay Me Down" (1991)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sF3nyqRTXjM) Here’s one of her many “Coming out the other side” songs. “Warpaint” [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/9S0bZJAvwjw/hqdefault.jpg "Happy Rhodes - Warpaint - 11 - "Warpaint"") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9S0bZJAvwjw) [/spoiler] ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2015, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-songs-music-about-depression-suicide/740049/16 "2015-12-10T13:03:03Z")
I think “Hold On” by Wilson Phillips is worth mentioning. ---
**Author:** ![edwards\_beard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@edwards\_beard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwards_beard)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2015, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-songs-music-about-depression-suicide/740049/17 "2015-12-10T13:25:02Z")
Have you checked out Suicidal Tendencies? From How Will I Laugh Tomorrow: How Will Laugh Tomorrow When I Can’t Even Smile Today The Feeling’s Back If I Don’t Wake Up One too Many Times From the self titled album: Suicidal Failure From Lights Camera Revolution: Alone, You Can’t Bring Me Down [how will i laugh tomorrow suicidal tendencies (heavy emotion version)](how will i laugh tomorrow suicidal tendencies heavy emotion) ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2015, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-songs-music-about-depression-suicide/740049/18 "2015-12-10T13:49:28Z")
So many choices… How about [Coil-- “Heartworms”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rd46dYAr6ZQ)? The lead singer, Johnn Balance, was a gay alcoholic who suffered from depression. This song appeared on a collection called “Foxtrot” that was intended to raise money to help fight his alcohol addiction. It failed, alas, as Balance died from a drunken fall over the balcony in his home in 2004. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2015, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-songs-music-about-depression-suicide/740049/19 "2015-12-10T14:19:08Z")
If it is the empty melancholy of existence you are looking for, you should listen to Sweden’s **Beyond Sensory Experience**. Mostly gloomy dark ambient, there are occasional poems, samples and lyrics that are certain not to lift your spirits. Here’s a good example: Beyond Sensory Experience: [the end has no beginning](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jD9J-wLf_cQ) ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2015, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-songs-music-about-depression-suicide/740049/20 "2015-12-10T14:32:41Z")
Well, there’s always [this old Hee Haw classic](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAAKPJEq1Ew). [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-songs-music-about-depression-suicide/740049.md?page=2)