# Songs about or heavily influenced by depression and/or suicide **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 12, 2003, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-or-heavily-influenced-by-depression-and-or-suicide/212790 "2003-11-12T12:00:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/838e76/32.png) [@One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/One_And_Only_Wanderers)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2003, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-or-heavily-influenced-by-depression-and-or-suicide/212790/21 "2003-11-12T16:30:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Johnny L.A. \* > \*\*[_Alone Again, Naturally_](http://www.popculturemadness.com/Music/AloneAgain.html) by Gilbert O’Sullivan. > > \*In a little while from now, > If I’m not feeling any less sour. > I promised myself, to treat myself, > And visit a nearby tower … > And climbing to the top, > Would throw myself off, > In an effort to, make clear to whoever, > What it’s like when your shattered … \*\* [/QUOTE] Great song. My Dad was a GOS fan and I grew up on his stuff. Haven’t heard any of it in a while now mind you. ---
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2003, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-or-heavily-influenced-by-depression-and-or-suicide/212790/22 "2003-11-12T19:49:36Z")
I’m surprised we’ve gotten this far into the thread without anyone mentioning James Taylor’s “Fire and Rain.” ---
**Author:** ![AllShookDown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d9b06d/32.png) [@AllShookDown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AllShookDown)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2003, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-or-heavily-influenced-by-depression-and-or-suicide/212790/23 "2003-11-12T22:03:10Z")
Paul Westerberg - Crackle & Drag (about Sylvia Plath) She made a good go for a weeping willow, she stuffed some rags on the floor She closed the window, she made a pillow on the oven door and took a long deep breath, while her baby slept Now they’re zippin her up in a bag, can you hear the blacks crackle and drag And the Cadillac’s waiting to take her away, can you hear the blacks crackle and drag ---
**Author:** ![Slacker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@Slacker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slacker)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2003, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-or-heavily-influenced-by-depression-and-or-suicide/212790/24 "2003-11-12T22:15:10Z")
**Gene - Her Fifteen Years** _Goodbye kind world, oh I’m so sad to leave for I’ve been haunting you for fifteen years And all I’ve done, to improve your lives and yet you still dared to let me go…_ ---
**Author:** ![AllShookDown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d9b06d/32.png) [@AllShookDown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AllShookDown)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2003, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-or-heavily-influenced-by-depression-and-or-suicide/212790/25 "2003-11-12T22:16:23Z")
Ok, one more from Westerberg and I’ll quit. No Place For You (About friend [Katie O’Brien.)](http://www.citypages.com/databank/20/954/article7348.asp) just add water someone’s done for i’m getting nervious there goes one more no day is safe from thoughts of you leaving marriage license can’t help thinking it’s all for nothing she’s so unholy up in the skies now she’s getting lonely ---
**Author:** ![burntsand](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ba9def/32.png) [@burntsand](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burntsand)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2003, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-or-heavily-influenced-by-depression-and-or-suicide/212790/26 "2003-11-13T05:31:30Z")
How about a semi-hijack into songs about when suicides become extroverted? Like **I Don’t Like Mondays** by the Boomtown Rats: > [@](#): > > the silicon chip inside her head > gets switched to overload, > and nobody’s gonna go to school today > she’s going to make them stay at home > and daddy doesn’t understand it > he always said she was as good as gold > and he can see no reason > cause there are no reasons > what reason do you need to be shown? > > tell me why > i don’t like mondays Or **Jeremy** by Pearl Jam: > [@](#): > > at home > drawing pictures > of mountain tops > with him on top > lemon yellow sun > arms raised in a V > dead lay in pools of maroon below > > daddy didn’t give attention > to the fact that mommy didn’t care > king jeremy the wicked > ruled his world > > Jeremy spoke in class today > Jeremy spoke in class today ---
**Author:** ![Ripley2004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ba9def/32.png) [@Ripley2004](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ripley2004)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2003, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-or-heavily-influenced-by-depression-and-or-suicide/212790/27 "2003-11-13T07:15:34Z")
**Suicide Is Painless: Theme From MASH** (J. Mandel - written by: M. Altman) Through early morning fog I see visions of the things to be the pains that are withheld for me I realize and I can see… [Refrain]: That suicide is painless It brings on many changes and I can take or leave it if I please. [Refrain] The game of life is hard to play I’m gonna lose it anyway The losing card I’ll someday lay so this is all I have to say. [Refrain] The sword of time will pierce our skins It doesn’t hurt when it begins But as it works its way on in The pain grows stronger, watch it grin, but… [Refrain] A brave man once requested me to answer questions that are key “is it to be or not to be” and I replied “oh why ask me?” 'Cause suicide is painless it brings on many changes and I can take or leave it if I please. …and you can do the same thing if you choose. ---
**Author:** ![Ripley2004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ba9def/32.png) [@Ripley2004](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ripley2004)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2003, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-or-heavily-influenced-by-depression-and-or-suicide/212790/28 "2003-11-13T07:23:35Z")
Band: **Queen** Song: **Dont Try Suicide** 1, 2, 3, 4, 1… …YEAH. OK, Dont do it, dont try it baby, dont do that dont dont dont dont do that we got a good thing going baby dont do it dont do it. DONT! Dont try suicide nobody’s worth it, don’t try suicide nobody cares, don’t try suicide ya just gonna hate it, dont try suicide, nobody gives a damn. So you think it’s the easy way out? Think you’re gonna slash your wrists this time? Baby when you do it all you do is get on my tits. Dont do that try try try baby, dont do that we got a good thing going now Dont do it, Dont do it, DONT! Dont try suicide nobody’s worth it, dont try suicide nobody cares, dont try suicide ya just gonna hate it, dont try suicide nobody gives a damn… [http://www.lyricsdot.com/search.html?band=queen&album=&song=don't+try+suicide&match=soundex](http://www.lyricsdot.com/search.html?band=queen&album=&song=don%27t+try+suicide&match=soundex) ---
**Author:** ![Swoop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b77776/32.png) [@Swoop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swoop)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2003, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-or-heavily-influenced-by-depression-and-or-suicide/212790/29 "2003-11-13T12:39:59Z")
Tighter and tighter; Burden in my hand; Bootcamp (all off the same album, _Down on the upside_ - Soundgarden Suicide note Pt 1 - Pantera Nobody hears - Suicidal Tendencies The final cut - Pink Floyd (of all their stuff, probably the most morbid) A tout le monde - Megadeth ---
**Author:** ![PalJuicy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a8b319/32.png) [@PalJuicy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PalJuicy)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2003, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-or-heavily-influenced-by-depression-and-or-suicide/212790/30 "2003-11-13T14:19:22Z")
You can pick any song from R.E.M’s “Automatic For The People”. They’re ALL about death, pain, depression, lost dreams, hopelessness. . . –Oddly, it’s my favorite album!!! ---
**Author:** ![Lisa-go-Blind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Lisa-go-Blind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lisa-go-Blind)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2003, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-or-heavily-influenced-by-depression-and-or-suicide/212790/31 "2003-11-13T19:49:55Z")
“Three Peaches” by Neutral Milk Hotel is about a failed suicide. ---
**Author:** ![Avumede](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/avumede/32/7235_2.png) [@Avumede](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avumede)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2003, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-or-heavily-influenced-by-depression-and-or-suicide/212790/32 "2003-11-13T20:35:13Z")
Well, of course everything on Suicidal Tendencies first album. But my favorite suicide song, and one of the my favorite songs in general is Foetus’ “A Prayer for my Death”. “… no wonder you write escape clauses on the heads of needles, and dig 500 foot tunnels with a spoon. I don’t find it necessary To take responsibility For sinners of military Daily life is dynsentary Escape this earthbound Alcatraz Get out of this penitentiary Crawl out! Of this century Crawl out! Of this cavity Well I can see eternity, I can see infinity I don’t believe in ecstacy And I need RELEASE!” ---
**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:** [November 13, 2003, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-or-heavily-influenced-by-depression-and-or-suicide/212790/33 "2003-11-13T20:47:14Z")
“Yer Blues.” The Beatles And then on a lighter note, there’s “I Think I’m Going To Kill Myself” by Elton John ---
**Author:** ![yawndave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/43a26b/32.png) [@yawndave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yawndave)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2003, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-or-heavily-influenced-by-depression-and-or-suicide/212790/34 "2003-11-13T21:29:29Z")
“Jump, Jump, Jump” by Rick Derringer: [http://lyricsplayground.com/alpha/songs/j/jumpjumpjump.html](http://lyricsplayground.com/alpha/songs/j/jumpjumpjump.html) ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2003, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-or-heavily-influenced-by-depression-and-or-suicide/212790/35 "2003-11-14T00:30:08Z")
About half the song catalog of **The Smiths** and **Morrissey** fit the bill as songs springing from depression. As for songs dealing specifically with suicide, try **“Asleep”** by **The Smiths** : \*Sing me to sleep Sing me to sleep And then leave me alone Don’t try to wake me in the morning For I will be gone.\* Several other suicide-themed songs: **"(Don’t Fear) The Reaper" - Blue Oyster Cult** **"Still Crazy After All These Years" - Paul Simon** (arguably) **"Can’t You See?" - Marshall Tucker Band** **"Shotgun Blues" - Blues Brothers** (cover-not sure of original artist) ---
**Author:** ![Darkhold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@Darkhold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darkhold)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2003, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-or-heavily-influenced-by-depression-and-or-suicide/212790/36 "2003-11-14T01:55:30Z")
Hurt NIN I…hurt myself today. To see if I still felt. focus on the pain. The only thing that’s real. The needle tears a hole the old familiar sting. Try to kill it all away but I remember everything… Paint it Black Rolling Stones. I see a red door and I want it painted black no colors anymore I want htem to turn black I see the girls go by dressed in their summer clothes I have to turn my head until my darkness goes. Loser 3 Doors Down. Breathing life away. nothing seems to fill this place I need this every time so take lies get off my case. Someday I will find a love that’s supposed to be like this This will fall away this will fall away you’re getting close to pushing me off of lifes little ledge cause I’m a loser and sooner or later you know I’ll be dead. Don’t Fear the Reaper Blue oyster cult All our times have come here but now their gone seasons don’t fear the reaper nor do the wind the sun and the rain we can be like they are comon baby. Don’t fear the reaper Everybody Hurts REM. No need for lyrics is there? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Q](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/898d66/32.png) [@Johnny\_Q](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Q)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2003, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-or-heavily-influenced-by-depression-and-or-suicide/212790/37 "2003-11-14T02:13:01Z")
There’s always the glaringly obvious Suicide Solution by Ozzy Osbourne. And the blues classic Trouble in mind, whose lyrics(which I’m not 100% on) go something like: I’m gonna lay down my head On a lonesome railway line And let the 5:15 Come and ease my troubled mind ---
**Author:** ![Darkhold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@Darkhold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darkhold)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2003, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-or-heavily-influenced-by-depression-and-or-suicide/212790/38 "2003-11-14T02:23:54Z")
megdeth A Tout Le Monde Don’t remember where I was I realized life was a game More seriously I took things. The harder the rules became I had no idea what it costs. My life had passed before my eyes. So as you read this know my friends I’d love to stay with you all smile when you think of me my body’s gone…that’s all… A tout Le monde \ these are the last words I’ll ever speak. They’ll set me free. ---
**Author:** ![BIH\_Boy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/49beb7/32.png) [@BIH\_Boy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BIH_Boy)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2003, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-or-heavily-influenced-by-depression-and-or-suicide/212790/39 "2003-11-14T02:28:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SJSB \* > \*\*Anything by Joy Division. \*\* I’d second that. Ian Curtis (lead singer) was so depressed he actually did kill himself. While listening to David Bowies “Low” which I find anything but depressing. ---
**Author:** ![sleeping](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/839c29/32.png) [@sleeping](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleeping)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2003, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-or-heavily-influenced-by-depression-and-or-suicide/212790/40 "2003-11-14T02:47:10Z")
What about “Heroin,” by Velvet Underground: I don’t know just where I’m going But I’m gonna try for the kingdom, if I can ’cause it makes me feel like I’m a man When I put a spike into my vein And I’ll tell ya, things aren’t quite the same… I have made the big decision I’m gonna try to nullify my life ’cause when the blood begins to flow When it shoots up the dropper’s neck When I’m closing in on death And you can’t help me not, you guys And all you sweet girls with all your sweet silly talk You can all go take a walk [Complete lyrics](http://www.lyricsfreak.com/v/velvet-underground/143880.html). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-or-heavily-influenced-by-depression-and-or-suicide/212790.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-or-heavily-influenced-by-depression-and-or-suicide/212790.md?page=3)