“Sad songs,” the line goes, “say so much.”
And there are thousands of them. Many sad songs intensify a melancholy mood; some even extol suicide as a solution. Fewer and farther between are the songs that, while acknowledging the intense pain that fuels suicide, offer hope, encouragement, or inspiration to stay alive.
In an earlier post (“Oh, I’m Begging You, No”: 18 Songs Against Suicide), I listed songs that urge the listener to resist suicide. Many people left comments or sent me emails suggesting other songs with an anti-suicide message. Not all of the suggested songs spoke directly to suicide, and some songs actually glorified suicide. But there are, alas, many more songs that suicidal people can turn to for a soothing message.
It’s true that sad songs say so much. Sad songs for the suicidal sometimes say even more. Here are almost 30 of them.
24 Floors
By The Maine (Alternative rock)
You don’t wanna die tonight
Take one more breath to clear your mind
Every moment’s relevant
Bittersweet and delicate
Tomorrow may not come again
Tonight is all there is
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Adam’s Song
By Blink-182 (Rock)
Tomorrow holds such better days
Days when I can still feel alive
When I can’t wait to get outside
The world is wide, the time goes by
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Battle Scars
By Paradise Fears (Alternative rock)
You’ve had enough,
But just don’t give up.
Stick to your guns,
You are worth fighting for.
You know we’ve all got battle scars.
Keep marching on.
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Cut the Cord
By Shinedown (Rock)
Don’t be a casualty, cut the cord…
Cause victory is all you need
So cultivate and plant the seed
Hold your breath and count to ten, just count to ten
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Don’t Close Your Eyes
By Kix (Metal)
Don’t close your eyes
Don’t sing your last lullaby…
Hold on – Hold on tight
I’ll make everything all right
Wake up – Don’t go to sleep
I pray the lord your soul to keep
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End of the Movie
By Cake (Alternative rock)
People you hate will get their hooks into you
They’ll pull you down…
But you still don’t like to leave before the end of the movie
No you still don’t like to leave before the end of the show
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Friend, Please
By Twenty One Pilots (Alternative rock)
Friend, please remove your hands from
Over your eyes for me
I know you want to leave but
Friend, please don’t take your life away from me
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Hang On
By Guster (Rock)
We break
We bend
With hand in hand
When hope is gone
Just hang on
Hang on
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How to Save a Life
By The Fray (Rock)
Where did I go wrong?
I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life
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I Walk Beside You
By Dream Theater (Rock)
Oh, when everything is wrong
Oh, when hopelessness surrounds you
Oh, the sun will rise again
The tide you swim against
Will carry you back home
So don’t give up, don’t give in…
*
Let Go
By Everest (Rock)
So take a breath
My dear friend
Take it slow
And let go
And rise again
You’re not done yet…
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Make It Stop (September’s Children)
By Rise Against (Punk rock)
Make it stop,
Let this end,
All these years pushed to the ledge,
But proud I stand, of who I am,
I plan to go on living
(This is one of those anti-suicide songs that is both inspiring and depressing. Written for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans youth, it captures the bigotry, misery, and deaths that occur, along with the need to go on living.)
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Missing You
By All Time Low (Alternative rock)
Now don’t lose your fight, kid,
It only takes a little push to pull on through,
With so much left to do,
You’ll be missing out, and we’ll be missing you.
*
No Giving Up
By Crossfade (Metal)
There’s no giving up now
Do you really want to give this all away
Can’t you ever see things in a different way…
You should think things through
Over and over again
*
The Pass
By Rush (Hard rock)
All of us get lost in the darkness
Dreamers learn to steer by the stars
All of us do time in the gutter
Dreamers turn to look at the cars
Turn around and turn around and turn around
Turn around and walk the razor’s edge
Don’t turn your back
And slam the door on me
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Remember We Die
By Gemini Syndrome (Hard rock)
Remember we die
But you’re still alive
So don’t let go
‘Cause it’s the only thing you know
There’s plenty of time
To see the other side
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Sacrifice
By Aurelio Voltaire (Rock)
There’s a place where you and I looked in each other’s eyes and promised we’d be free someday.
So please tell me why you sacrificed all that you would be.
You threw away your dreams.
So much life to live…
So much love to give…
So much life to live…
So much love to give…
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Stay Alive
By Andy Black (Rock)
Stay alive for the good times
Stay alive through the bad
Stay alive for the hopes and the fears and the dreams
The best that we ever had
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Stay Alive
By Smile Empty Soul (Hard rock)
Stay alive, stay alive,
Because it’s almost over now
Stay alive, stay alive,
Better days to come around
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Story of My Life
By Backstreet Boys (Pop)
Everybody falls, everybody cries
Everybody feels like a nobody sometimes
You get up again, give it one more try
Everybody’s got what it takes on the inside
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Suicide; Stigma
By The Color Morale (Metal)
I want you to live.
Suicide doesn’t end the pain,
it passes to the ones you love and remains.
Take yourself out of the equation
And the problem stays.
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The Sun is Rising
By Britt Nicole (Christian pop)
When life has cut too deep and left you hurting
The future you had hoped for is now burning
And the dreams you held so tight lost their meaning
And you don’t know if you’ll ever find the healing
You’re gonna make it
You’re gonna make it
And the night can only last for so long
*
Sunrise
By Our Last Night (Rock)
When the night is cold and you feel like no one knows
what it’s like to be the only one buried in this hole
You can make it to the sunrise.
*
Survive
By Rise Against (Hard rock)
Life for you, has been less than kind
So take a number, stand in line
We’ve all been sorry, we’ve all been hurt
But how we survive, is what makes us who we are…
*
Truce
By Twenty One Pilots (Alternative rock)
Stay alive, stay alive for me
You will die, but now your life is free
Take pride in what is sure to die
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Wonderful Life
By Hurts (Pop)
Don’t let go
Never give up.
Don’t let go
Never give up, it’s such a wonderful life.
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You are Loved
By Set It Off (Rock)
It’s a permanent solution to a temporary problem
We all have issues not knowing how to solve them
And when you feel you’re at your worst,
Remember all these words
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You’re Gonna Be Ok
By Brian and Jenn Johnson (Christian pop)
When the night, is closing in
Don’t give up, and don’t give in
This won’t last, it’s not the end, it’s not the end
You’re gonna be ok
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You’re Only Human
By Billy Joel (Pop)
Sometimes you just want to lay down and die
That emotion can be so strong
But hold on
Till that old second wind comes along
(This song is unnervingly cheerful for an anti-suicide song. But it is so explicitly against suicide that this list wouldn’t really be complete without it.)
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Do You Know of Other Anti-Suicide Songs?
If you know of a song that’s not in the current post or the original one (“Oh, I’m Begging You, No”: 18 Songs Against Suicide), please submit the name of the song in the Comments below, and say a little about it, too, if you wish.
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© Copyright 2017 Stacey Freedenthal, PhD, LCSW, All Rights Reserved. Written for www.speakingofsuicide.com. Top photo purchased from Fotolia.com.
Rock ‘N Roll Suicide by David Bowie. It’s one of the only things keeping me alive right now, I think. I try to sing it at the end of the year every year, so that may be one day I won’t need to anymore.
“Oh, no, love, you’re not alone/No matter what or who you’ve been/no matter where or when you’ve seen/all the knives seem to lacerate your brain/I’ve had my share/I’ll help you with the pain/You’re not alone!”
Some other good songs are: Embers by Owl City, and Hold the Line by Avicii (sadly that was released on Avicii’s posthumous album because he did commit suicide due to mental illness. But it is quite an inspiring song and I think he’d want to help people with his music)
I am a classical musician and music has been my salvation in the darkest moments of my life. I consider this a blessing because I have experienced intermittent suicidal ideation for most of my life . I’ve been able to use these thoughts to spur creativity in my work and steer myself towards the light. Otherwise, I might have surrendered to the darkness many years ago.
The song I always think about is from the Pittsburgh band The Clarks and their song “Hey You”:
If your gonna jump, hey you hang on
If you feel like giving up, hey you hang on
Won’t forget today sun is bright, sky is blue yeah
The pain will go away in another year or two
Annie,
Thanks for commenting! Very powerful. However … it reminds me, I remember once when I felt my worst yet, my therapist told me I’d feel differently in a few years. And I was like, “YEARS? I don’t even know how to make it the next few days.” But yeah, I’m grateful to still see the blue skies and bright light of the sun. 🙂
Beautiful by P.O.D. has helped me so much
Thanks for letting us know!
Lovely, by Twenty One Pilots.
“Oh won’t you stay alive?
I’ll take you on a ride,
I will make you believe
You are lovely.”
1-800-273-8255 is a song by logic that helped about 10,000 people not commit suicide.
Help Too by Little Boots. (British dance-pop/electronic ballad.)
I was wondering if I was going to find Friend, Please on here… glad it is. Same with Truce. This is coming from a hardcore tøp fan 🙂
Papa Roach – Come Around
Angels & Airways by Angel Haze (rap)
its a really good song that helped me through a lot
Illusion by VNV Nation
Keep on Livin’ by Le Tigre is one that has helped me 🙂
So many songs on this topic! I compiled a surprisingly diverse playlist with over 3 hours of music from all genres.
Of course, being in the music industry gives me an advantage in that department, but how does one share such a cornucopia of emotion in such a small space?
Try this one…
https://youtu.be/ZdSaI080VXc
Have to include Disturbed’s “A Reason to Fight”, released Oct 2018. This song is really helping me find positive verses for my suicidal ideation that keep me from wanting to end it all.
“The last Night” by Skillet. (the band was once Christian rock)
“The Mountain” by Three Days Grace.
“Never Too Late” by Three Days Grace.
“The End is not the answer” by Three Days Grace
“Time of Dying” by Three Days Grace
“One more light” by linkin Park
These bands songs and few others have gotten me through some really low times my life and struggling with Depression, Anxiaty, Body Dismorphis and feelings not having anyone’s support when I’m crying out for it….
and may I also say I really like your website and please keep up with the great sources of information please
Thank you so much for taking the to share these! I have no doubt your contribution will help some folks get through the day and night.
“The Call” by Matt Kennon (Country)
“I Need A Miracle” by Third Day (Christian Rock)
“Not Gonna Die” by Skillet (Hard Rock)
“Inside the Fire” by Disturbed (Hard Rock)
i am hopeless
my life is grieving my previous life
i have lost my home, my health, my life is empty.
others depend on me but i am just a shell carrying out the needs of others, its for them i stay
i am numb, just waiting for all who love me not to need me anymore
when will that be?
Robin,
It’s so sad that you feel hopeless, empty, and numb. I hope you will reach out for someone to talk to. Please check out the Resources page for a list of places where you can connect with someone, for free, by phone, email, or text.
May all who love you continue to need you.
Strangely enough, I feel more suicidal after listening to those, especially after The Backstreet Boys and the Knickleback song . Give me the suicidal brooding of a Hamlet, or the sublime death-longing of Wagner’s Tristan and Isolde, any day. Oh but I forgot, they’re just mentally ill, aren’t they?
Tragedy + Time by Rise Against is a great one:
On the edges of the sharpest knives
In the middle of the darkest nights
Always knew that I would find you here
In a puddle of the bravest tears
I’ve seen enough to know it’s lonely where you are
Above the crowd
Feet dangling from a rooftop
She waits from ledges for a voice to talk her down
And nothing matters but the pain when you’re alone
The never-ending nights when you’re awake
When you’re praying that tomorrow it’s okay
There will be a time to crack another smile
Maybe not today or for awhile
But we’re holding on to laugh again some day
To laugh again some day
1800 by Logic and Jumper by Third Eye Blind
Rise Above This
Seether
Lyrics
Take the light, and darken everything around me
Call the clowns, and listen closely, I’m lost without you
Call your name everyday, when I feel so helpless
I’ve fallen down, but I’ll rise above this (rise above this)
Hate your mind, regrets are better left unspoken
For all we know this void will grow
And everything’s in vain, distressing you, don’t leave me open
Feels so right but I’ll end this all before it gets me
Call your name everyday, when I feel so helpless
I’ve fallen down (fallen down) but I’ll rise above this (rise above this)
Call your name everyday when I seem so helpless
I’ve fallen down (fallen down) but I’ll rise above this (rise above this)
I’ll mend myself before it gets me
I’ll mend myself before it gets me
I’ll mend myself before it gets me
I’ll mend myself before it gets me
Call your name everyday, when I feel so helpless
I’ve fallen down (fallen down) but I’ll rise above this (rise above this)
Forty-eight ways to say that I’m feelin’ helpless
I’ve fallen down (fallen down) but I’ll rise above this
Rise above this, rise above this, rise above this doubt
“Rise Up” by Andra Day
I’ve been at the edge, at the bottom of the bottle and the end of the rope, BUT backed out or been convinced to back out just in time – every time…
This song really hit me the first time I heard it. The straight forward lyrics backed up by a strong voice – you can almost feel the pain in her voice (or maybe it’s just me…)
This song has saved me once. Maybe it can save someone else as well.
(the part that really hit me)
“When the silence isn’t quiet
And it feels like it’s getting hard to breathe
And I know you feel like dying
But I promise we’ll take the world to its feet”
Live on!
I’m a singer and recording artist, and want to share with you a song that I recently released. When I went through difficult times, music was a very helpful and important part of the process of getting back to myself. It is wonderful that you have collected in one place so many songs that can give hope and strength to those who need something to grab on to.
The song “Changing” deals with despair, personal struggle and thoughts of suicide. Accompanied by a very special clip, it is a song of compassion, hope and healing.
I would be honored for you to share “CHANGING” on your site. Hopefully it might be a glimmer of light to someone who needs it in difficult times.
Link: https://youtu.be/fSF1DpFV8Ew
CHANGING
Tip toe through your soul
Maybe you’ll find your way back home
Take these words, make them yours
I hope you find your voice, find your worth
There’s no light without dark
There can be no fight, without heart
If you miss don’t keep score
You are worth more than this
Don’t you know
You know that you’re changing, but you’re not fading
If you want to leave this world
Please listen to me first
Baby your amazing
If you cannot take the hurt
You must believe that you’re strongest when you’re at your worst
I just know you’ll get through this
In your eyes it shows you can do this
If you miss don’t keep score
You are worth more than this. Don’t you know
Don’t you know, you know
That you’re changing but your not fading
If you want to leave this world
Please listen to me first
Baby, your’e amazing
If you cannot take the hurt
You must believe that you’re strongest when you’re at your worst
Nothing to Lose by Billy Talent
Move along by The All-American Rejects
Kein Zurück by Farin Urlaub
World Falls Apart by Dash Berlin (Trance)
Dust.Wav by Perpetuos Dreamer (Trance)
Why, by Rascal Flatts (country)
“Jumper” by Third Eye Blind.
It is a song about a guy who is literally about to jump off a building to commit suicide, and the lead singer talks about why his friend (the “Jumper”) shouldn’t do it:
I wish you would step back
From that ledge my friend
You could cut ties with all the lies
That you’ve been living in
The song goes on to describe all the reasons why his friend is in pain and considering suicide:
The angry boy a bit too insane
Icing over a secret pain
You know you don’t belong
You’re the first to fight
You’re way too loud
You’re the flash of light on a burial shroud
I know something’s wrong
Well everyone I know has got a reason
To say put the past away
The World I know Collective Soul
“Little White Cloud” by Flaviyake. I wrote this song long before my mother committed suicide last year. She had been struggling with depression for 10 years and I was looking for something that could encourage us to stay alive. I’m sharing my key for continuing living in that song – giving me another chance every time I am feeling broken. The song was released with the video after the tragedy, when I got back to normal life. It’s a happy song with a dark message…
Flavia,
This is WONDERFUL! Thank you so much for sharing your inspiration here. I am so very sorry about the loss of your mother to suicide, and I’m astounded at the gift you are giving to others as a result. Thank you.
Also, sorry for my delay in posting this. Your comment went to my Spam folder, where it sat with hundreds of other comments. I sifted through them all and yours was the only one that wasn’t truly spam. It was worth the effort to find your comment!
There is also “Hold On” by Good Charlotte and “Move Along” by New Found Glory
“Hold On” is in the first post I did with songs about suicide (“Oh, I’m Begging You, No”: 18 Songs Against Suicide). I’ll have to check out “Move Along.” Thanks for the tip!
These songs were so needed. I have many loved ones struggling. Great resources of music you have put in my tool chest.Bless you!
I’m so glad you find these a good addition to your toolbox. Thank you for letting me know!