Songs About Suicide Prevention
When the song “1-800-273-8255” by Logic premiered at the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards, calls to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline rose up to 27%. Sometimes, you just need that one special song to remind you that it is time for you to seek help. By listening to songs about suicide prevention, you can listen to the poetry of the lyrics sung by these artists letting you know that everything will be okay.
One song of suicide prevention is Nickelback’s “Lullaby.” This song was in inspiration when singer Chad Kroeger and his brother witnessed their babysitter crying her eyes out after finding out her boyfriend died motorcycle racing. The song starts by relating to someone who feels like they want to jump off the ledge. That you feel like “You’re laid out on the floor and you’re not sure you can take this anymore.” Kroeger also says that he has been in that person’s shoes before and that he is reaching out to that person to tell them they are not alone.
Kroeger tells that person that he cannot reach that person on the phone so he will have to sing that person “a lullaby.” By the second verse, Kroeger wants to bring that person “out of the darkness and into the light” because he has faith in this person. Instead of taking the easy way out, Kroeger advises that “the best is yet to come.” That everyone has that point where they hit rock bottom but to just give life another try. This song will bring hope back to those who need it and will deliver the message that someone will always be there for you.
R.E.M.’s “Everybody Hurts” can resonate with children who have suicidal thoughts. In 2001, Nevada legislature commended R.E.M. for encouraging teen suicide prevention with this song. The song starts out saying how when the day and night feels long, it is important to hang onto your life because everyone has experienced pain and sorrow before in their life. That you should seek comfort in your friends and to accept their hand if they are willing to reach out to you. “If you’re on your own in this life, the days and nights are long.” The song constantly uses the lyric “hold on.” People may be more used to seeing children happy and carefree and not understand the inner battles that they all go through. This song can let a teenager know that their negative emotions are being taken seriously, everyone has felt these type of emotions before, and to hold onto your life.
When Billy Joel was in his early twenties, he attempted suicide and his drummer checked him into a hospital where he was placed on suicide watch and treated for depression. Joel came up with an upbeat song called “You’re Only Human (Second Wind)” to prevent teenagers from committing suicide. He created a musical video similar to the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” where a teenager is about to jump off a bridge after his girlfriend broke up with him. Joel plays a guardian angel that shows him the important milestones that he will miss and how devastated everyone would feel of his death. In the end, the teenager decides not to jump off and makes up with his girlfriend. The song states that we all make mistakes and that it is a part of being human. That sooner or later, we all need to catch our breath and face the world. “But hold on till that old second wind comes along.”
Three Days Grace came up with a song called “Never Too Late” that is all about how it is never too late to better your life. The song starts off with how everyone belongs in the world and how Adam Gontier sings that he is not leaving that person alone because it is never too late for things to change. That even if he tells that person that everything will be alright, it still will not get rid of the other person’s suicidal thoughts. The second verse differs where the first verse says he plans on not leaving that person alone. The second verse says that he will not leave that person alone because it is never too late to turn your life around. That suicide is a permanent action where you will lose the world, time, and life. This song will inspire everyone that there is always a potential for change and to not be so hard on yourself.
The musical “Dear Evan Hansen” had the beautiful message of hope when you are tackling depression. The song “You Will Be Found” starts off with Evan asking if you feel invisible and that no one would notice if you disappeared. If you feel like you cannot get up, reach out your hand and someone will help you up. If the world feels dark to you, eventually you will be found by someone. Every day is a new day and there is always hope when the journey grows dark. All of these songs can be inspirational to help pick yourself up. As you listen to the poetry of the lyrics and the tones of desperation and gentleness in these artists singing them, you will be convinced that life is worth living. If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, please call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
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