The 13 songs gracing ‘Songs Centered Around or Referencing Suicide, Vol. 1’ focus in some capacity or totally on the devastating, horrible means of death. 

Writing a playlist centering around suicide never crossed my mind.  The main reason is that personally, it’s an incredibly devastating, depressing subject that happens in life far too often.  It’s one of the loneliest, bothersome, and saddest ways to die.  How Songs Centered Around or Referencing Suicide, Vol. 1 came about was the incredibly insensitive video recorded in Aokigahara (the Japanese Suicide Forest) and the unsurprising fallout of the video by popular YouTuber Logan Paul.  Unaware of the infamous place, it was sad to imagine people going to such a place and ultimately ‘calling it quits.’

Songs Centered Around or Referencing Suicide, Vol. 1 just scratches the surface of songs centered around or referencing suicide in some regards.  This list features 13 songs, of which the majority seriously deal with a subject that’s not the least bit humorous. This playlist features songs that aren’t merely contained to the 2010s, featuring songs from Billie Holiday, Ozzy Osbourne, and Pearl Jam, as well as Logic (you knew it was coming), Declan McKenna, and Stacy Barthe.

Remember that suicide is NO laughing matter. The ‘first world’ problems explored by the Elton John classic “I Think I’m Going to Kill Myself” isn’t authentic in reference to a legitimate, life-or-death situation.  Don’t hesitate to call 1-800-273-8255; every single life is precious. Without further ado, here are 13 Songs Centered Around or Referencing Suicide, Vol. 1.

1. Pearl Jam, “Jeremy”

Ten • Epic • 1991

“Jeremy spoke in class today / Clearly, I remember / Pickin’ on the boy / Seemed a harmless little f*ck / But we unleashed a lion / Gnashed his teeth.” One of the heaviest songs on this list is “Jeremy,” a gem from Ten, the 1991 debut album by Pearl Jam.  “Jeremy” is a song, written in narrative form, depicting a teenage boy, clearly unappreciated in his life, who ultimately commits suicide.

“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.”

A powerful music video helps to make “Jeremy” feel even more authentic. Even more powerful is that the song was inspired by a real-life Jeremy who committed suicide in front of his teacher and classmates by gun.  The music video finds Jeremy kill himself, but in the censored, distributed version, it confusingly ends with his classmates covered in blood.  Is there a school shooting, mass murder vibe here? No, Rob Galluzzo clarifies that director Bruce Ashley’s “intention is that his blood is literally on their hands”.

2. 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.  What makes “1-800-273-8255” so heavy? 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 coming to the desire to live. He’s assisted by an angelic Alessia Cara and Khalid, who provides the punctuation mark, as the suicidal person who’s seen the light.

Suicide is a major issue. Originally appearing on another playlist (26 Notable LGBTQ Songs Since 2010), “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. Can you say feels? “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.

3. Declan McKenna, “Paracetamol”

What Do You Think About the Car? • Columbia • 2017

“Paracetamol” is arguably most moving song from What Do You Think About the Car?, the debut album by British singer/songwriter Declan McKenna.  Situational, numerous relevant topics are covered throughout the song, including suicide.

“A boy, fifteen with a gun in his hand
And the people with no audience say should be hanged
…A girl, fifteen, with her head in a noose
because she’s damned to live, well she’s damned to choose.”

The significance of the girl leads to the subject of love, which takes on a number of meanings contextually, including acceptance, embracement, and various relationships.  “Paracetamol” was influenced by the death of Leelah Alcorn, an Ohio transgender teen whose story affected the world.  This record is aimed at building respect and acceptance of the LGBT community. Paracetamol is a pain reliever. McKenna seeks to ease the pain of a troubled community.

4. Rise Against, “Make It Stop (September’s Children)”

Endgame • DGC • 2011

“Make it stop / Let this end / Eighteen years pushed to the ledge / It’s come to this a weightless step / On the way down singing / whoa, whoa.” Punk-rock band Rise Against, like Pearl Jam, Logic, and Declan McKenna before them, get heavy and serious on “Make It Stop (September’s Children).” On this standout from 2011 album Endgame, frontman Tim McIlrath stands up against bullying, specifically in regards to homosexuality, that ultimately leads far too many kids to commit suicide. Clearly, he encourages those feeling like it’s not worth living to stay strong – It gets better.

“It’s always darkest just before the dawn

So stay awake with me, let’s prove them wrong.”

By the end, the new day with new hopes has come to pass.

“Make it stop

Let this end

This life chose me, I’m not lost in sin

And proud I stand, of who I am

I plan to go on living.”

5. Elton John, “I Think I’m Going to Kill Myself”

Honky Château • Mercury • 1972

“I’m getting bored / Being part of mankind / There’s not a lot to do no more / This race is a waste of time.” Beloved musician Elton John is among a list of celebrities who attempted suicide. Often, “Someone Saved My Life Tonight” is mentioned is related to suicide, but actually, this song is more about potentially making a bad choice to get married (“You nearly had me roped and tied / Altar-bound, hypnotized”).  John does have a suicidal song in his collection, though “I Think I’m Going to Kill Myself” has nothing to do with his own attempt.

“I think I’m going to kill myself
Cause a little suicide
Stick around for a couple of days
What a scandal if I died…
Get a little headline news
I’d like to see what the papers say
On the state of teenage blues.”

Obviously, the teenage protagonist is an attention-seeker as opposed to being legitimately depressed or authentically suicidal.  The second verse reveal his ‘first world problems,’ including using the car, curfew, and ability to have sex every night (Brigitte Bardot is the cited example).  Furthermore, musically, this is incredibly playful and tongue-n-cheek. Listen to John’s mad piano playing.

6-7. Stacy Barthe, “My Suicide Note (Intro)” / “Me Versus Me”

BEcoming • Motown • 2015

“I’m going through it, little voice in my head saying ‘do it.’” R&B singer-songwriter Stacy Barthe commences her debut album BEcoming morbidly with intro, “My Suicide Note.” She goes on to say, “It’s cold out here, it’s hard living.” Barthe goes on to discuss her suicide attempt in more depth throughout the course of the album, specifically standout “Me Versus Me.”

“It’s still an uphill battle, battle / Me versus me.” As aforementioned, honest piano ballad “Me Versus Me” finds R&B singer-songwriter Stacy Barthe discussing her state of mind during her suicide attempt.

“Drive myself in the state of denial
So dark and hopeless, I wanted to die
But now that I know that there’s a difference
Between happy and just saying that
I’m still trying to find it in the midst of all that madness.”

8. Marsha Ambrosius, “Far Away”

Late Nights & Early Mornings • Sony • 2011

Lyrically, “Far Away” tackles suicide.  The listener takeaway is that Marsha Ambrosius is heartbroken after her friend commits suicide.  As sad as the situation is, “Far Away” finds Ambrosius depicting her emotions in the aftermath. The accompanying music video takes things a step further, incorporating homosexuality and homophobia.  The homophobic component drives the male to commit suicide.

“If I had known Sunday morning, that you would be gone
I would’ve never come home
I wouldn’t have answered my phone to hear the voice had a tone
I knew that something was wrong
The cop’s the one who had told me that you were alone inside
An empty room
Identified you as my baby
Oh my baby, so far away.”

What further amplifies the significance of the video is the use of black characters.  Homophobia is more pronounced in the black community, so Ambrosius took a bigger risk with “Far Away” given the storyline and social implications.  A Think Progress article (from February 2016) by Zack Ford suggests black homophobia is a myth, based on a Public Religion Research Institute survey.

9. Blink-182, “Adam’s Song”

Enema of the State • Geffen • 1999

“I never thought I’d die alone / I laughed the loudest who’d have known? / I trace the cord back to the wall / No wonder it was never plugged in at all.” On the heavy “Adam’s Song,” the often, unserious blink-182 got heavy, tackling teenage suicide. “Adam’s Song” comes from the perspective of Adam as he reflects on his sad, lonely life as he plans his own demise. “The choice was mine I didn’t think enough / I’m too depressed to go on / You’ll be sorry when I’m gone.” On the chorus, varied each time, it’s clear that Adam is at his breaking point given the lot of his life.

“I never conquered, rarely came
Sixteen just held such better days
Days when I still felt alive
We couldn't wait to get outside
The world was wide, too late to try
The tour was over, we'd survived
I couldn't wait till I got home
To pass the time in my room alone.”

10. Billie Holiday, “Gloomy Sunday”

The Centennial Collection • Columbia • 2015

“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. Disturbing to the nth degree.

11. Ozzy Osbourne, “Suicide Solution”

Blizzard of Ozz • Epic • 1980

“Where to hide, suicide is the only way out.” Obviously, Ozzy Osbourne, the Prince of Darkness himself, lives up to his title.  On “Suicide Solution,” his solution to end an “unreal life” and “living a lie” is suicide via the bottle. In fact, he opens the song singing, “Wine is fine but whiskey’s quicker / Suicide is slow with liquor / Take a bottle and drown your sorrows / Then it floods away tomorrows.”

12. 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’”).

13. Solange, “Mad” (Ft. Lil Wayne)

A Seat at the Table • Columbia • 2016

“Mad” doesn’t center around suicide like some of the songs on this list – it is an exception.  Another exception is that lead artist Solange isn’t the focal point of the suicide.  That would be guest Lil Wayne, who relates a suicide attempt to being mad, which is the focus of the song itself.

“And when I attempted suicide, I didn’t die,
I remember how mad I was on that day
Man, you gotta let it go before it get up in the way.”

Photo Credits: Epic, Def Jam, Columbia, DGC, Mercury, Motown, Sony Music Entertainment