[nextpage title=”intro” ]

“13 Awesome Songs That Highlight Mental Health” features music from Badflower, Father John Misty, Florence + The Machine, Ryan Beatty, and Shawn Mendes.

Mental health is no joke. For years, the mere thought of its importance was brushed aside, essentially characterized as a load of poppycock (BS if you will).  But finally, the importance of addressing mental health issues has become a priority, and musicians are among the proponents of the movement.  How so? More and more, music features artists getting personal about their own mental health hurdles as opposed to trying to hide it or brush it off. 

The playlist at hand, 13 Awesome Songs That Highlight Mental Health, features music from Badflower (“x ANA x”), Father John Misty (“Please Don’t Die”), Florence + The Machine (“Hunger”), Ryan Beatty (“Camo”), and Shawn Mendes (“In My Blood”).

---

[/nextpage][nextpage title=”1-3″ ]

1. Badflower, “x ANA x”

OK, I’M SICK • Big Machine • 2019

“I can’t feel my toes or my fingertips / My chest if pounding so fast I can’t keep up with it / I’m losing it – fuck! I just want to quit it.” Frontman Josh Katz and Badflower are in a bad spot to say the least, thanks to “X ANA x” (a stylization of ‘Xanax,’ the sedative), the second single from the band’s full-length, debut album, OK, I’M SICK (2019). Clearly, the effects of anxiety (and the Xanax as well), have Katz down.  He’s profane, dropping multiple f-bombs, as he suffers. Notably, Katz emphasizes the ‘ANA’ portion of the word, Almost approaching Xanax like it’s a relationship.  On the first verse, he memorably states, “Judging my fucking sex ANA x ANA x / And I’m faking just to stay in my body / I’m nervous, I can’t fucking stand it.”

The lyrics, throughout the course of the song, reflect Katz’s anxiety, while the high-energy, instrumental backdrop also matches the anxiousness.  As the song continues, the listener is invited more and more into the suspect mindset of the protagonist, particularly at the end of the second verse.

“The kind of sick that makes an atheist pray for Jesus
The kind of sickness that turns your power into weakness
I’m sick of being sick for this whole fucking place to witness
And I’m living a sick life that most people call privilege
And they’re kinda right
But I’m still sicker than I can cope with.”

“x ANA x” is an energetic, honest, and well-rounded single that goes beyond the traditional script.  Josh Katz definitely has the personality to sell this anxiety-driven single superbly.

---

2. Father John Misty, “Please Don’t Die”

God’s Favorite Customer • Sub Pop • 2018

“One more wasted morning / When I could be holding you / To my side, somebody stop this joyless joy ride / I’m feeling older than my thirty-five years.” Following the lighter “Date Night,” Josh Tillman, aka Father John Misty, becomes much more reflective and serious on the slower “Please Don’t Die” (God’s Favorite Customer). Clearly, he’s been in a bad spot regarding his mental health and his wife is extremely worried about potentially losing him.

Not only does Tillman seem to realize how he’s affecting his wife, but he sings from her perspective on the thrilling chorus.

“Oh, and honey, I’m worried ‘bout you
You’re too much to lose
You’re all that I have
And honey, I’m worried ‘bout you
Put yourself in my shoes
You’re all that I have so please don’t die
Wherever you are tonight.”

---

3. Shawn Mendes, “In My Blood”

Shawn Mendes • Island • 2018

Canadian pop heartthrob Shawn Mendes masterfully exhibits vulnerability, resolve, and soulfulness on the emotionally-driven, powerful, and resolute “In My Blood” (Shawn Mendes).  From the start, he exhibits his best attribute – his voice.  On the first verse, Mendes shares his struggles: fears, insecurities, and loneliness.  He casually sings portions of this verse in his lower register, amplifying his vulnerability.  The second verse is shorter, but a bit more melodic. By the pre-chorus/chorus sections, the full scope of his vocal expressiveness is unleashed. The soulful beastliness of his vocals, plus the ad-libs, arrive in their full, youthful glory on the titular lyric (“It isn’t in my blood”).

---

[/nextpage][nextpage title=”4-6″ ]

4. Florence + The Machine, “Hunger”

High as Hope • Virgin • 2018

“At seventeen, I started to starve myself / I thought that love was a kind of emptiness / And at least I understood then the hunger I felt / And I didn’t have to call it loneliness.” On “Hunger”, Florence Welch shines vocally, packing a sizable punch by the ‘hungry’ chorus. Other selling points for the Florence + The Machine gem from High as Hope includes magnificent production fusing vintage pop, soul, and ‘alternativeness.’  In addition to awesome instrumentation and orchestration, backing vocals continue to propel the lead to soaring heights.  The songwriting is integral to the record’s success with Welch’s ‘hunger’ being love. Additionally, the hunger is literal, as Welch once suffered from an eating disorder.  Furthermore, there are other demons as well (“I thought that love was in the drugs”). She begins the first verse reminiscing on her teenage years (the lyrical excerpt featured at the jump).

---

5. Ryan Beatty, “Camo”

Boy in Jeans • Boy in Jeans • 2018

“Camo print depression / I keep my feelings hidden / No pills, no thrills / I’m not used to winning / But that’s life, that’s life.” Openly gay rising pop artist Ryan Beatty is honest about love and sex throughout the course of his stellar, underrated debut album, Boy in Jeans. Boy in Jeans is an eclectic album, encompassing pop, R&B, and a dash of alternative. Clearly, he has knack for writing love songs about boys.  Also, he knows how to express his feelings, as he does superbly on the set’s second single, “Camo”. As the aforementioned lyrical excerpt suggests, as a teen, Beatty tried to ‘blend in’ – play it straight if you will – despite being gay. Obviously, this affected him mentally, before living his truth.

In addition to the theme of the record, “Camo” benefits from fresh production that’s mysterious, slick, and urban-tinged.  The beat helps “Camo” to stay afloat with its driving rhythm.  Beyond the superb backdrop fueling him, Beatty sounds absolutely terrific.  He blesses the track with a mixture of compelling, mid-range tenor and sweet falsetto. The results are a quirky, yet incredibly intriguing and personal record.

---

6. Two Feet, “Hurt People”

Ft. Madison Love

A 20 Something Fuck • Republic • 2018

“If I felt all my lies I know that I’d be broken / Take all these pills to quell fucked up emotions / Bill you’re so sick, why can’t you just be open?” A 20 Something Fuck, huh? Yeah, alternative musician Two Feet (Zachary William “Bill” Dess) definitely has a way with album titles. Better yet, he has a way of conveying genuine emotions musically. Two Feet enlists singer/songwriter Madison Love  for his song filled with hurt, “Hurt People.”

Love handles the ‘broken’ chorus:

“‘Cause hurt people just hurt people
They do it, they do every day, yeah
Hurt people just hurt people
Why are we used to the pain? Ooh.”

As for Two Feet, like the excerpt at the top from the first verse, he’s clearly on the ‘struggle bus,’ truly “fucked up” in a number of respects.

“Girl, I’m too fucked up, you can’t fix these problems
You’ll never solve them, you’ll never solve them.”

---

[/nextpage][nextpage title=”7-9″ ]

7. Lil Peep, “Cry Alone”

Come Over When You’re Sober, Pt. 2 • Columbia • 2018

Lil Peep was less fixated on traditional song structures and form when he was alive. His posthumous gem, “Cry Alone”, bucks the trend, somewhat, following a more discernable form.  Even so, there’s still the sense that “Cry Alone” has a bit of nebulousness, with choruses and verses running into each other with little separation.   This isn’t necessarily a rub however, as it works out pretty sweetly for Peep.  Other things that work out well include the rock-tinged production and of course the youthful, tortured ‘energy’ of the rapper gone far too soon.

Lil Peep, Come Over When You’re Sober, Pt. 2 | Album Review

---

8. MGMT, “When You Die”

Little Dark Age • Columbia • 2018

“Go fuck yourself / You heard me right / Don’t call me nice again.” Safe to say, alternative duo MGMT ‘have an attitude’ on “When You Die” (Little Dark Age).  “When You Die” is a terrific, compelling record that’s energetic (particularly the vocals), well-written, and well-produced. From the jump, it sounds mysterious – quirky and left of center. Andrew VanWyngarden exhibits bite vocally, conveying the mean, ‘mentally-disturbed’ tilt of the lyrics.

“I’m not that nice
I’m mean and I’m evil
Don’t call me nice
I’m gonna eat your heart out
I’ve got some work to do
Baby, I’m ready, I’m ready, ready, ready to blow my lid off.”

Creepy. PSYCHO…logical. Suicidal… Disturbing. Anyways, the second verse gets more twisted. Later, on the third verse, curses and meanness continue, while the chorus sums up the darkness, with some incredibly disturbing humor.

“You die
And words won’t do anything
It’s permanently night
And I won’t feel anything
We’ll all be laughing with you when you die.”

---

9. Linkin Park, “Talking to Myself”

One More Light • Warner Bros. • 2017

“All the walls that you keep building / All this time that I spent chasing / All the ways that I keep losing you.” Sadly, nobody seemed to realize just how depressed that Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington was at the time that One More Light was released in 2017. It would only be until his tragic suicide that everyone would find out just how ‘low’ he was.

In the context of the album itself, “Talking to Myself” once more has pop elements, with renowned producer J.R. Rotem among the names gracing writing/production team.  Even so, the record does have a dash of rock, specifically on the chorus.  Notably, the chorus comes from the perspective of Bennington’s wife, an even bigger revelation regarding the state of Bennington’s mental health.

---

[/nextpage][nextpage title=”10-13″ ]

10. Logic, “1-800-273-8255”

Ft. Alessia Cara & Khalid

Everybody • Def Jam • 2017

With the release of “1-800-273-8255”, Logic released the biggest, heaviest, and most meaningful song of his career. The title is the phone number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Logic approaches the song as a progression, starting from the suicidal perspective, encouraging the suicidal person to embrace life, and the suicidal person arriving at the desire to live. He’s assisted by an angelic Alessia Cara and Khalid, who provide the punctuation mark, as the suicidal person who’s seen the light. Suicide is a major issue. Interestingly, while “1-800-273-8255” doesn’t explicitly mention the LGBTQ community, but it’s a key component of the accompanying music video.  The video focuses on a black gay teen struggling with his sexuality. He contemplates suicide, but gets the proper help, as well as acceptance. “1-800-273-8255” earned top honors on the 100 Best Songs of 2017 and the 10 Best Music Videos of 2017  year-end/year-in-review lists.

---

11. Sufjan Stevens, “No Shade in the Shadow of the Cross”

Carrie & Lowell • Asthmatic Kitty • 2016

“I slept on my back in the shade of the meadowlark / Like a champion / Get drunk to get laid / I take one more hit when you depart.” Sufjan Stevens has written a number of superb songs.  Few come close to the excellence of “No Shade in the Shadow of the Cross,” arguably the centerpiece of his 2016 album, Carrie & Lowell.  “No Shade in the Shadow of the Cross” is a heavy, autobiographical penultimate cut to say the least.  The death of Stevens’ mother, despite a tenuous relationship, caused him to become rebellious, questioning his Christianity and overall morality.  This may be most apparent when he sings, “There’s blood on that blade / Fuck me, I’m falling apart.” Notably, numerous YouTubers have covered the gorgeous tune.

---

12. Billie Holiday, “Gloomy Sunday”

The Centennial Collection • Columbia • 2015

“Sunday is gloomy, my hours are slumber-less / Dearest the shadows, I live with are numberless / Little white flowers will never awaken you / Not where the black coach of sorrow has taken you.” Hmm… yeah, this one isn’t celebratory of the weekend either. “Gloomy Sunday” is a radiant gem that has been covered by numerous musicians. It’s also chilling and haunting, thanks to its morbid content. The song’s protagonist exhibits suicidal thoughts, singing, “My heart and I have decided to end it all / Soon there’ll be candles and prayers that are sad.” More disturbing is that “Gloomy Sunday” has earned the reputation as the Hungarian suicide song. So, yeah, we sort of slipped a morbid, non-celebratory

---

13. August Alsina, “FML”

Ft. Pusha T

Testimony • Def Jam • 2014

“Even when I’m up, I’m feeling down, fuck my life.” At one time, FML, which stands affectionately for fuck my life, was a popular, loosely thrown out catch phrase.  Should it have ever been though? In his song “FML,” August Alsina, assisted by Pusha T, exhibits his share of suicidal thoughts. “Let me tell you ‘bout myself, I’m not scared to die / Been through so much shit, sometimes I wanna be in the sky / Wanna know how it feels to fly… / I’m scared of hello, I ain’t scared of goodbye.”

Alsina clearly has had his fair share of hard times (check out his backstory), and he expresses his struggles musically.  He also references suicide in another song, “Song Cry,” from his sophomore album, This Thing Called Life (“This moment mine for the takin’ / For all them nights I thought of suicide, contemplatin’”).

---

Photo Credits: Asthmatic Kitty, Big Machine, Boy in Jeans, Columbia, Def Jam, Island, Pixabay, Republic, Sub Pop, Virgin, Warner Bros.

---

[/nextpage]