Are there any songs about pain? Not emotional pain, not grief, not loss, not heartbreak, but physical pain. Not songs with pain or pain-related themes in them as metaphors for something else, like, “It Hurts So Good,” but songs about the pain itself as such. Songs about suffering pain. In the only ones I can think of it’s only mentioned in passing, like “You and me, we sweat and strain / Body all achin’ and wracked with pain,” but the song isn’t really about that, it’s about Old Man River.
“Hurt” by Nine Inch Nails is kinda a classic in that regard I think. It’s pretty much about self-harm.
The Plastic Ono Band’s “Cold Turkey” is all about the physical pain of withdrawal.
This old Bobby Bare song comes to mind: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRWlnv0_svU
(Well, it was actually one of the many great country songs Shel Silverstein wrote.)
This sounds like it might be what you’re looking for:
What about Metallica’s “One”? (inspired by the book Johnny Got His Gun)
Sure, it’s mostly about the mental anguish of being trapped in your own mutilated body, but I’m sure that must come with physical suffering as well, as mentioned in the bolded lyric, I interpret it to mean both mental and physical pain… a pain two-fer!
[Quote=Metallica]
I can’t remember anything
Can’t tell if this is true or dream
Deep down inside I feel to scream
This terrible silence stops me
Now that the war is through with me
I’m waking up I cannot see
That there is not much left of me
Nothing is real but pain now
Hold my breath as I wish for death
Oh please God, wake me…
[/quote]
Speaking of pain, how about this?
The pain down inside
can’t be denied
every time I try
I can’t be satisfied
A wonderful pairing of artist name and song title, and the bass sax isn’t too bad either…
Cure for Pain, by Morphine.
There is the obvious one,
This one fits the bill - I’m a cotton pickin’ mass o contusions.
Folks, YouTube links are great, but could you also post the name of the song so we don’t have to click a link to find out what you had in mind?
“I ache for the touch of your lips, dear.
But much more for the touch of your whips, dear.”
Tom Paxton’s Cindy’s Crying a sympathic song about a druggie hooker. Sorry his original isn’t on youtube; it’s much better.
In concert he pairs it with Hooker, a song only Tom could write.
El Paso by Marty Robbins:
Something is dreadfully wrong for I feel a deep burning pain in my side
I feel the bullet go deep in my chest
One of the true classics in this field would have to be Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’ “Constipation Blues”.
Laying here, looking at the ceiling
Someone lays a sheet across my chest
Something warm is flowing down my fingers
Pain is flowing all through my back…
—Bloodrock, “D.O.A.”
By Live (both fromMental Jewelry):
Pain Lies on the Riverside
Good Pain
“Soldier’s Joy” by Michelle Shocked
“Heroin” by the Velvet Underground
“Bitches’ Brew” (instrumental, but unmistakable) by Miles Davis
Two incredibly depressing songs about suffering from terminal illness:
Eels, The Medication Is Wearing Off
Cigarette, Ben Folds Five
Can’t believe none of you posted this…