# Psychologically unhealthy songs? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 9, 2006, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychologically-unhealthy-songs/360064 "2006-06-09T14:28:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Boulter\_s\_Canary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Boulter\_s\_Canary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boulter_s_Canary)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2006, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychologically-unhealthy-songs/360064/81 "2006-06-14T23:04:38Z")
[QUOTE=Malacandra] _The Banks of the Ohio_, of course. “I asked my love to take a walk… And only say that you’ll be mine… I held a knife against his breast… He cried ‘My love, don’t you murder me’.” Ah, those old-fashioned love songs. A proposal’s so much more to the point when a refusal entails being stabbed through the heart (followed by a spot of remorse). [/QUOTE] There’s _loads_ of that sort of stuff in traditional folk - severed heads, hearts in goblets of wine, serial killers (“it’s six king’s daughters here have I drowned/ And you the seventh will be”). Very jolly… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![YaWanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/bbce88/32.png) [@YaWanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YaWanna)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2006, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychologically-unhealthy-songs/360064/82 "2006-06-14T23:17:48Z")
Neil Young’s “Down by the River” comes to mind. And Boomtown Rats’ “I Don’t Like Mondays” as well. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2006, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychologically-unhealthy-songs/360064/83 "2006-06-14T23:52:07Z")
[QUOTE=Askia] Jennifer Holliday’s seminal [_And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going_](http://www.dartmouth.edu/~jcd/dreamgirls.html), from the play _Dreamgirls_, which I predict you’ll hear _ad nauseum_ in the coming months when the movie debuts. [/QUOTE] But it’s such a wonderfully over the top song to sing along to (and “One Night Only” which is still just as screwed up from a relationship angle but at least has slightly healthier self esteem.) But then, musicals are not a good place to look for psychologically well characters. ---
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2006, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychologically-unhealthy-songs/360064/84 "2006-06-15T04:06:45Z")
[QUOTE=ZipperJJ] Air Supply’s [Without You](http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~maverick/old_public_html/lyrics/WithoutYou.html) There’s not much to the lyrics, except this over and over again: - I can’t live, if living is without you. I can’t give, I can’t give any more. Can’t live, if living is without you. Can’t give, I can’t give any more. \* Dude, get over it! Giving up on life because your girl left you isn’t really a healthy attitude to have… [/QUOTE] Ack. A better cite is Harry Nilsson’s [version](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000159ELA/qid=1150343897/sr=2-2/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_2/102-9921048-6110555?s=music&v=glance&n=5174). It is much more anguished, and didn’t he write it? Anyway, it is likely tongue in cheek, if you consider his song “You’re Breaking My Heart” (“you’re tearing it apart, so fuck you”) off of Son of Schmilsson. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2006, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychologically-unhealthy-songs/360064/85 "2006-06-15T04:25:19Z")
I didn’t see mention yet of Dido’s _White Flag_ > [@Dido](#): > > And when we meet > Which I’m sure we will > All that was there > Will be there still > I’ll let it pass > And hold my tongue > And you will think > That I’ve moved on… > > I will go down with this ship > And I won’t put my hands up and surrender > There will be no white flag above my door > I’m in love and always will be Once I really listened to the lyrics, that song began to practically make me angry thinking “the last thing I’d want would be some clingy chick who screwed up our previous relationship and now can’t get the hell on with her life and let me live mine”. ---
**Author:** ![Askia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Askia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askia)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2006, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychologically-unhealthy-songs/360064/86 "2006-06-15T10:48:29Z")
[QUOTE=amarinth] But it’s such a wonderfully over the top song to sing along to (and “One Night Only” which is still just as screwed up from a relationship angle but at least has slightly healthier self esteem.) But then, musicals are not a good place to look for psychologically well characters. [/QUOTE] Oh, I agree. The next time it comes on the radio, instead of singing along, just starting screaming at regular intervals: “How did you get in my room?” “Help, police!” “I don’t know you, lady!” "Oh, God she’s gonna kill me!"and generally whimper and plead for your life. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2006, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychologically-unhealthy-songs/360064/87 "2006-06-15T16:34:00Z")
Since Jim Steinman loves to write songs with punny titles, Meat Loaf’s “Left in the Dark”; later he’ll find out who she’s been fucking, but for now, turn out the lights and “leave him in the dark” while he has sex with her anyway: I bet you still got a trace of his love in your eyes And you still got his eyes in your mind You swore you’d be with me at 7 o’clock Now it’s a quarter to 3 Well whatever you got and whoever it was I guess you couldn’t get it from me No I guess you couldn’t get it from me But down in my soul - down in my soul I know - I know that you love me There’s no need to talk I see the look in your eyes an’ I got the proof And there are no lies on your body So take off your dress I just want to get at the truth ---
**Author:** ![ArrMatey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/arrmatey/32/3522_2.png) [@ArrMatey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArrMatey)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2006, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychologically-unhealthy-songs/360064/88 "2006-06-15T18:47:28Z")
[QUOTE=Boulter’s Canary] (“it’s six king’s daughters here have I drowned/ And you the seventh will be”) [/QUOTE] Okay, I heard this song YEARS ago and worked it into some writing I was doing at the time, but I have no idea what in the world the ACTUAL SONG is! Care to give a fellow doper a hint? ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2006, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychologically-unhealthy-songs/360064/89 "2006-06-15T19:05:48Z")
[QUOTE=ArrMatey!] Okay, I heard this song YEARS ago and worked it into some writing I was doing at the time, but I have no idea what in the world the ACTUAL SONG is! Care to give a fellow doper a hint? [/QUOTE] [Lady Isobel and the Elf Knight](http://sniff.numachi.com/~rickheit/dtrad/pages/tiELFKNGHT;ttELFKNGHT.html)? Reminds me of the Sting song “Love is Stronger than Justice (The Munificent Seven)” The town mayor was happy but his face was glum The maidens numbered only one But there weren’t seven brides for seven brothers I knew I had to get rid of the others … Mother told me I was the clever one The seventh son of a seventh son It all ended so happily I settled down with the family I look forward to a better day But ethical stuff never got in my way And though there used to be brothers seven The other six are singing in heaven ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2006, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychologically-unhealthy-songs/360064/90 "2006-06-15T21:28:57Z")
from _Carousel_: “Common sense may tell you That the ending will be sad, And now’s the time to break and run away. But what’s the use of wond’ring If the ending will be sad? He’s your feller and you love him, There’s nothing more to say.” ---
**Author:** ![Boulter\_s\_Canary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Boulter\_s\_Canary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boulter_s_Canary)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2006, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychologically-unhealthy-songs/360064/91 "2006-06-15T21:40:39Z")
[QUOTE=gigi] [Lady Isobel and the Elf Knight](http://sniff.numachi.com/~rickheit/dtrad/pages/tiELFKNGHT;ttELFKNGHT.html)? [/QUOTE] Correct (Though I was thinking of Steeleye Span’s version which is slightly different - no parrot for a start). ---
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2006, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychologically-unhealthy-songs/360064/92 "2006-06-15T21:40:50Z")
[QUOTE=Jackmannii] [Fixed link](http://www.phespirit.info/gloomysunday/) so you can be properly depressed. [/QUOTE] Snopes is [on the fence](http://www.snopes.com/music/songs/gloomy.htm) about this. I admit I haven’t heard it myself. ---
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2006, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychologically-unhealthy-songs/360064/93 "2006-06-15T21:46:02Z")
[QUOTE=Boulter’s Canary] There’s _loads_ of that sort of stuff in traditional folk - severed heads, hearts in goblets of wine, serial killers (“it’s six king’s daughters here have I drowned/ And you the seventh will be”). Very jolly… 😃 [/QUOTE] You know, I’ve sung that song before, and it’s not psychologically unhealthy, it’s frustrating–the meter is off and it _never_ works with the notes. For a disturbing folk-song, though, I’ll submit one of Loreena McKennit’s favourites: [The Bonny Swans](http://lyrics.duble.com/lyrics/L/loreena-mckennitt-lyrics/loreena-mckennitt-the-bonny-swans-lyrics.htm). ---
**Author:** ![cerberus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@cerberus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cerberus)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2006, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychologically-unhealthy-songs/360064/94 "2006-06-16T05:09:56Z")
Iron Man by Black Sabbath is rather dark, and the cover by The Cardigans is mindbending: > [@](#): > > Has he lost his mind? > Can he see or is he blind? > Can he walk at all, > Or if he moves will he fall? > Is he alive or dead? > Has he thoughts within his head? > Well just pass him there > Why should we even care? > > He was turned to steel > In the great magnetic field > Where he traveled time > For the future of mankind > > Nobody wants him > He just stares at the world > Planning his vengeance > That he will soon unfold > > Now the time is here > For iron man to spread fear > Vengeance from the grave > Kills the people he once saved > > Nobody wants him > They just turn their heads > Nobody helps him > Now he has his revenge > > Heavy boots of lead > Fills his victims full of dread > Running as fast as they can > Iron man lives again! ---
**Author:** ![cerberus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@cerberus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cerberus)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2006, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychologically-unhealthy-songs/360064/95 "2006-06-16T05:14:38Z")
And this one by Tift Merritt evokes death… > [@](#): > > **When I Cross Over** > > I don’t want to talk to nobody, > Don’t want to make no plans, > I’m so tired of this party, > I’ve had all my laughs. > > CHORUS > I’ll send you something when I cross over, > Something when I cross over. > I’ll send you something when I cross over, > When I’m where I’m going. > > I get in a good mood just thinkin’ about it, > All those streets I’ve never seen, > Nobody asking me for nothing, > Nobody angry with me. > > Chorus > > Not even gonna take my Pontiac, > What do I need it for? > Not gonna run away from nothing, > I won’t be tangled up no more. > > Chorus > > Seems like a woman in the morning > Oughta have nothing to worry about, > Sit down and have a cup of coffee, > Hum a little while, think out loud. > > I’m not gonna hang up any pictures, > No numbers taped to the wall, > Suitcase gonna get a little lighter, > I’m gonna unpack all alone. > > Chorus ---
**Author:** ![mrald](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3da27b/32.png) [@mrald](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mrald)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2006, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychologically-unhealthy-songs/360064/96 "2006-06-16T05:33:52Z")
Google knows psychologically unhealthy, all the ads are for Celine Dion ---
**Author:** ![H3Knuckles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ba8739/32.png) [@H3Knuckles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/H3Knuckles)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2006, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychologically-unhealthy-songs/360064/97 "2006-06-16T05:47:13Z")
[QUOTE=Leaffan] Or this little ditty… > [@](#): > > Hey Joe. Where you goin’ with that gun in your hand? > I’m goin’ down to shoot my old lady now > You know I caught her messin’ 'round with another man [/QUOTE] I don’t think this one really counts for the OP Leaffan. He’s looking for songs that are supposed to be **romantic** but are actually creepy. Jimi Hendrix’s “Hey Joe” was intended to be a messed up song about a guy making a horrible mistake and trying to avoid the consequences. Not only is it in no way presented as a romantic song, but Joe kind of gets what’s coming to him in the end (depending on how you look at things). ---
**Author:** ![H3Knuckles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ba8739/32.png) [@H3Knuckles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/H3Knuckles)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2006, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychologically-unhealthy-songs/360064/98 "2006-06-16T05:51:09Z")
Wow, on review, a lot of you guys, especially in the 2nd page, are missing the point of the thread. It’s not about songs that are merely dark or disturbing, or Ozzie Osbourne’s “Diary of a Madman” would probably win the thread; that or Eminem’s song about the obsessed fan that commits suicide by driving off a bridge with his pregnant girlfriend tied up in the trunk. The point of the thread, according to the OP, was for songs whose intent, or at least the commonly understood intent, is to be romantic, but which portray a disturbing outlook. Man was this thread hijacked 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Siege](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dbc845/32.png) [@Siege](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siege)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2006, 10:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychologically-unhealthy-songs/360064/99 "2006-06-16T10:12:33Z")
[QUOTE=gigi] Since Jim Steinman loves to write songs with punny titles, Meat Loaf’s “Left in the Dark”; later he’ll find out who she’s been fucking, but for now, turn out the lights and “leave him in the dark” while he has sex with her anyway: I bet you still got a trace of his love in your eyes And you still got his eyes in your mind You swore you’d be with me at 7 o’clock Now it’s a quarter to 3 Well whatever you got and whoever it was I guess you couldn’t get it from me No I guess you couldn’t get it from me But down in my soul - down in my soul I know - I know that you love me There’s no need to talk I see the look in your eyes an’ I got the proof And there are no lies on your body So take off your dress I just want to get at the truth [/QUOTE] I _knew_ I liked you for a reason. Jim Steinman’s got a bunch of songs about disfunctional relationships. There’s _I’ll Kill You If You Don’t Come Back_ the title of which should speak for itself and _I’m Gonna Love Her for Both Of Us_ in which a man tells his best friend he’s mistreating his girlfriend so the singer’s going to steal her away. I think _I’d Lie For You (And That’s the Truth)_ got some airplay a while ago in which the singers say that, unlike a previous hit, they really would do anything for love. My favorite Steinman disfunctional relationship song is _More Than You Deserve_. The first time the chorus comes around, Meatloaf sings, > [@](#): > > And then I saw you making love to my best friend > I didn’t know whatever to say > I saw you making love to my best friend > So I looked him right in his eyes and I said > Listen boy > > Won’t you take some more, it’s what you came for > And don’t mind me I won’t throw you no curves > Have yourself a ball with my good woman > Won’t you take some more boy, it’s more than you deserve The song progresses until you get to the last chorus which is so over the top it makes me laugh. I’ll spoiler it to be on the safe side: [spoiler]Then I saw you making love to two of my best friends I didn’t know whatever to say I saw you making love to a group of my best friends So I looked them right in their eyes and I said Listen here, group Won’t you take some more, it’s what you came for … Won’t you take some more boys, it’s more than you deserve[/spoiler] If anyone’s interested, the full lyrics are [here, including a reference to a truck stop.](http://www.neverlandhotel.dk/lyrics.php?no=15) I can just picture what would happen if this guy came to the SDMB asking for relationship advice! ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2006, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychologically-unhealthy-songs/360064/100 "2006-06-16T13:34:13Z")
[QUOTE=Siege] The song progresses until you get to the last chorus which is so over the top it makes me laugh. [/QUOTE] Yes!! LISTEN HERE, GROOOOOP!! 😃 Almost as funny as: Somebody bless all the cheerleaders down on the tracks They’re glistening like diamonds with sweat on their backs from _I’ll Kill You If You Don’t Come Back_ Man I love me some Jim Steinman!! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychologically-unhealthy-songs/360064.md?page=4)