Songs About Mental Health

I cannot begin to describe to you how much music has impacted my life. It has most definitely shaped me into the person I am today, and frankly, without it, I don’t know where I would be today. That is why today I would like to discuss mental health when used in music and why I think it is so important. From when I started listening, to now.

I’ve already talked about all the reasons lyrics are important, but I want to address it again because I think without lyrics, expression and connection are lost. There is an extra layer of depth lyrics bring to a song, making you not only feel, but understand.

I think this is the main reason certain people gravitate towards certain genres of music. You will always move towards something you can connect with. To this end, there is a reason people started listening to rock, metal, and all the other sub-genres that explored these themes. It wasn’t just because they thought it was the cool thing to do. They found solace in the fact that there were people out there expressing the very feelings they didn’t know how to do themselves in a time where mental health was never really talked about.

Now I am not saying we still don’t have work to do today in this regard, but we have definitely taken steps toward betterment. When all you have are the words of people you don’t know, you cling to them and never let go because it was the only thing you had in your life that made you feel like you weren’t a freak.

An example of this was when I first heard someone utter these two verses that still stick with me to this day.

“Here I stand.

Empty hands.

wishing my wrists were bleeding

to stop the pain from the beating.”

Red Sam – Flyleaf

and

“Pain, without love.

Pain. I can’t get enough.

Pain. I like it rough

cause I rather feel pain than nothing at all.”

Pain – Three Days Grace

I remember being in shock but then feeling this wave of relief as I realized that I wasn’t the only one who felt that way. It’s life-changing. That might seem like an exaggeration. A kid listening to edgy music thinks he is edgy, but it was, and I’m sure for a lot of people it still is today. Back then all we had were songs. And those songs paved the way to building a community of people who could grow and help each other. Sure it had its problems, but no longer did we feel like outcasts. We could cry out the lyrics

“It’s like I’m paranoid, looking over my back.

It’s like a whirlwind inside of my head.

It’s like I can’t stop what I’m hearing within.

It’s like the face inside is right beneath my skin”

Papercut – Linkin Park

and know we were not alone.

Today is a little different, however.  Although you can find the same kind of music floating around, songs regarding mental health have not only evolved for better but have spread out to other genres of music, like rap, with the artist Logic and his lyrics.

“Maybe I’m just overthinkin’

Or maybe I’m just over-smokin’ and drinkin’

And when I can’t deal with the hate, I self-medicate

Sit in the corner and think of a better day

Maybe this bullet can help me to get away

I just cannot seem to think of a better way.”

Confessions of a Dangerous Mind – Logic

Artists sing a bit different now because we have a better grasp of what mental health is and what it looks like. We know ways of dealing and know getting help isn’t a sign of weakness. There is a light at the end of this tunnel, you just have to fight for it.

“When the hope of morning starts to fade in me

I don’t dare let darkness have its way with me

And the hope of morning makes me worth the fight

I will not be giving in tonight.”

Hope For Morning – Icon For Hire

No longer are songs just an outcry or an expression of something we don’t understand. It is an expression BECAUSE we understand, and I feel like that is the key difference.

Songs about mental health are important because it helps shine a light on the idea that people (many more with each generation) go through these things. And detection is the first step to getting better.

I would like to end on a verse from a very important song by Twenty One Pilots because although we are taking strides in the right direction, there is a line that shouldn’t be crossed where connection turns to obsession.

“Don’t get me wrong, the rise in awareness

Is beating a stigma that no longer scares us

But for sake of discussion, in spirit of fairness

Could we give this some room for a new point of view?

And could it be true that some could be tempted

To use this mistake as a form of aggression?

A form of succession?

A form of a weapon?

Thinking “I’ll teach them”

Well, I’m refusing the lesson

It won’t resonate in our minds

I’m not disrespecting what was left behind

Just pleading that it does not get glorified

Maybe we swap out what it is that we hold so high

Find your grandparents or someone of age

Pay some respects for the path that they paved

To life, they were dedicated

Now, that should be celebrated”

Neon Gravestones – Twenty One Pilots

Let’s continue to be better, and if you ever need help or need someone to talk to the suicide prevention lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress. 1-800-273-8255. You can also visit their website at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ for help and other resources.

All the songs and others can be found in the playlist below on Spotify.