Music holds a profound ability to resonate with our deepest emotions, offering solace and understanding in times of distress. For individuals grappling with suicidal thoughts, music can be a powerful source of connection, validation, and even hope. While some songs may inadvertently glorify or dwell on the darkness of suicide, a wealth of music exists that directly confronts these feelings and offers a message of resilience and the will to live. This article expands on the original list to explore songs that not only acknowledge the pain associated with suicide but actively encourage listeners to choose life.
Music’s unique capacity to tap into our emotional core makes it an invaluable tool for navigating complex feelings. When words fail, melodies and lyrics can articulate the unspoken, providing a sense of being understood and less alone. For those experiencing suicidal ideation, this sense of connection can be crucial. Songs that address suicide, especially those that lean towards hope and survival, can act as a lifeline, reminding individuals of their worth and the possibility of a brighter future.
This curated list delves into a diverse range of songs, spanning genres from rock to pop and alternative, each carrying a message that counters suicidal thoughts. These are not just “sad songs”; they are songs of defiance, songs of hope, and songs that ultimately choose life.
A Playlist of Hope: Songs That Speak Against Suicide
Here are songs that offer strength and encouragement to those struggling with thoughts of suicide:
24 Floors – The Maine (Alternative Rock)
The Maine’s “24 Floors” is a direct plea to someone contemplating ending their life. The lyrics, “You don’t wanna die tonight / Take one more breath to clear your mind,” are a stark and immediate intervention. The song emphasizes the preciousness of each moment and the finality of suicide, urging the listener to reconsider and find strength in the present. It’s a raw and relatable anthem for anyone feeling overwhelmed.
Adam’s Song – Blink-182 (Rock)
“Adam’s Song” by Blink-182, while initially appearing melancholic, evolves into a message of hope. Lines like “Tomorrow holds such better days / Days when I can still feel alive” highlight the transient nature of despair. The song acknowledges the pain of loneliness and isolation but ultimately looks forward to a future where life feels vibrant and worth living. It’s a reminder that feelings are temporary and brighter days are ahead.
Battle Scars – Paradise Fears (Alternative Rock)
Paradise Fears’ “Battle Scars” is an empowering anthem of resilience. With lyrics like “You’ve had enough, But just don’t give up. Stick to your guns, You are worth fighting for,” the song directly confronts feelings of hopelessness. It reinforces self-worth and the importance of perseverance. The phrase “You know we’ve all got battle scars. Keep marching on” creates a sense of shared struggle and encourages listeners to keep moving forward despite past hurts.
Cut the Cord – Shinedown (Rock)
Shinedown’s powerful rock track “Cut the Cord” uses strong imagery to encourage listeners to break free from destructive thoughts. “Don’t be a casualty, cut the cord… Cause victory is all you need” is a call to action, urging listeners to sever ties with negativity and strive for a positive outcome. The song emphasizes inner strength and the possibility of overcoming adversity.
Don’t Close Your Eyes – Kix (Metal)
Kix delivers a direct and heartfelt plea in “Don’t Close Your Eyes.” The lyrics “Don’t close your eyes / Don’t sing your last lullaby…” are a poignant request to hold on to life. The chorus, “Hold on – Hold on tight / I’ll make everything all right,” offers reassurance and support, promising that things can improve and urging the listener to persevere through the darkness.
End of the Movie – Cake (Alternative Rock)
Cake’s “End of the Movie” takes a unique approach, using the metaphor of leaving before a movie ends to represent suicide. “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” subtly reminds listeners of their inherent desire to see things through, to experience life to its fullest, and not to prematurely end their story.
Friend, Please – Twenty One Pilots (Alternative Rock)
Twenty One Pilots’ “Friend, Please” is a direct and intimate appeal to a friend contemplating suicide. “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” is a raw and vulnerable expression of concern and a desperate plea for them to stay. It highlights the impact of suicide on loved ones and the value of their life to others.
Hang On – Guster (Rock)
Guster’s simple yet powerful “Hang On” is a mantra for perseverance. “When hope is gone / Just hang on / Hang on” is a repetitive and comforting reminder to endure even when things seem bleak. The song’s minimalist approach emphasizes the core message of holding on through difficult times, offering a sense of grounding and resilience.
How to Save a Life – The Fray (Rock)
“How to Save a Life” by The Fray is a poignant reflection on the regret of not knowing how to help a friend in crisis. “And I would have stayed up with you all night / Had I known how to save a life” expresses the pain of loss and the desire to have intervened. While somber, it serves as a reminder of the importance of reaching out and seeking help, both for oneself and for others.
I Walk Beside You – Dream Theater (Rock)
Dream Theater’s “I Walk Beside You” offers unwavering support during times of darkness. “Oh, when everything is wrong / Oh, when hopelessness surrounds you / Oh, the sun will rise again” is a message of hope and reassurance that even in the deepest despair, there is light to be found. The lyrics emphasize resilience and the promise of overcoming challenges, urging listeners not to give up.
Let Go – Everest (Rock)
Everest’s “Let Go” is a gentle and encouraging song about releasing pain and starting anew. “So take a breath / My dear friend / Take it slow / And let go / And rise again / You’re not done yet…” is a comforting invitation to breathe, to release burdens, and to recognize that life’s journey is not over. It promotes self-compassion and the possibility of renewal.
Make It Stop (September’s Children) – Rise Against (Punk Rock)
Rise Against’s “Make It Stop (September’s Children)” is a powerful anthem for marginalized youth, particularly LGBTQ+ individuals facing bullying and discrimination. “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” directly confronts the pain of bigotry and the resilience needed to overcome it. It’s a defiant declaration of self-acceptance and the will to survive in the face of adversity.
Missing You – All Time Low (Alternative Rock)
All Time Low’s “Missing You” is a heartfelt message urging someone not to give up. “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” emphasizes the potential for future experiences and the pain that suicide inflicts on those left behind. It’s a reminder of the value of their life to themselves and to others.
No Giving Up – Crossfade (Metal)
Crossfade delivers a forceful message of determination in “No Giving Up.” “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…” is a direct challenge to suicidal thoughts, urging reconsideration and emphasizing the finality of suicide. It encourages listeners to explore alternative perspectives and find reasons to keep fighting.
The Pass – Rush (Hard Rock)
Rush’s “The Pass” uses poetic lyrics to address the struggles of adolescence and feelings of alienation. “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” acknowledges the universal experience of hardship and encourages finding direction and hope even in difficult times. The song promotes resilience and finding one’s way through life’s challenges.
Remember We Die – Gemini Syndrome (Hard Rock)
Gemini Syndrome’s “Remember We Die” confronts mortality while emphasizing the value of being alive in the present moment. “Remember we die / But you’re still alive / So don’t let go / ‘Cause it’s the only thing you know” is a powerful reminder that life is finite and precious. It urges listeners to hold on to the present and find meaning in their current existence.
Sacrifice – Aurelio Voltaire (Rock)
Aurelio Voltaire’s “Sacrifice” is a poignant question directed at someone who has considered suicide. “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…” highlights the potential lost when someone chooses suicide and emphasizes the value of their future and the love they have to offer.
Stay Alive – Andy Black (Rock)
Andy Black’s “Stay Alive” is a straightforward and uplifting anthem for choosing life. “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” presents a compelling list of reasons to persevere, encompassing both positive and negative experiences and emphasizing the richness of life in its entirety.
Stay Alive – Smile Empty Soul (Hard Rock)
Smile Empty Soul’s “Stay Alive” offers a simple yet direct message of hope and perseverance. “Stay alive, stay alive, Because it’s almost over now / Stay alive, stay alive, Better days to come around” provides reassurance that current pain is temporary and that brighter times are on the horizon. It’s a comforting reminder that difficult periods will pass.
Story of My Life – Backstreet Boys (Pop)
While seemingly a general pop song, Backstreet Boys’ “Story of My Life” contains unexpectedly relevant lyrics. “Everybody falls, everybody cries / Everybody feels like a nobody sometimes / You get up again, give it one more try” delivers a universal message of resilience and overcoming setbacks. It normalizes feelings of inadequacy and encourages persistence in the face of adversity.
Suicide; Stigma – The Color Morale (Metal)
The Color Morale’s “Suicide; Stigma” directly addresses the issue of suicide and its impact on loved ones. “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” is a powerful and direct confrontation of the misconception that suicide ends pain. It emphasizes the lasting impact on others and the importance of seeking help instead.
The Sun is Rising – Britt Nicole (Christian Pop)
Britt Nicole’s “The Sun is Rising” offers a message of hope and healing through faith. “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” provides reassurance that even in the darkest times, healing is possible and that difficult periods are temporary. It’s an uplifting song for those seeking solace in their faith.
Sunrise – Our Last Night (Rock)
Our Last Night’s “Sunrise” offers comfort and hope for those feeling isolated and alone in their pain. “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” acknowledges feelings of isolation but offers the hopeful promise of a new dawn and overcoming current struggles.
Survive – Rise Against (Hard Rock)
Rise Against’s “Survive” is a powerful anthem about overcoming adversity and defining oneself through resilience. “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…” emphasizes the shared human experience of pain and the strength found in choosing to survive and shape one’s identity through overcoming challenges.
Truce – Twenty One Pilots (Alternative Rock)
Twenty One Pilots’ “Truce” is a poignant and reflective song about finding peace and meaning in life despite its inevitable end. “Stay alive, stay alive for me / You will die, but now your life is free / Take pride in what is sure to die” is a complex message that acknowledges mortality while urging listeners to cherish and protect their current life, finding freedom and purpose in the present.
Wonderful Life – Hurts (Pop)
Hurts’ “Wonderful Life” is an anthemic and powerful affirmation of the value of life, even amidst hardship. “Don’t let go / Never give up. Don’t let go / Never give up, it’s such a wonderful life” is a repetitive and impactful message of resilience and appreciation for life’s inherent worth, even when it feels difficult.
You are Loved – Set It Off (Rock)
Set It Off’s “You are Loved” directly addresses the temporary nature of problems compared to the finality of suicide. “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” is a clear and logical argument against suicide, emphasizing that problems can be overcome and that feelings of despair are not permanent.
You’re Gonna Be Ok – Brian and Jenn Johnson (Christian Pop)
Brian and Jenn Johnson’s “You’re Gonna Be Ok” offers comfort and reassurance through faith. “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” is a soothing and hopeful message that emphasizes the temporary nature of struggles and the promise of eventual well-being.
You’re Only Human (Second Wind) – Billy Joel (Pop)
Billy Joel’s “You’re Only Human (Second Wind)” is a compassionate and understanding song that normalizes suicidal feelings while urging listeners to persevere. “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” validates the intensity of suicidal emotions while offering encouragement to wait for the difficult period to pass and for renewed strength to emerge.
The Power of Music and Seeking Support
Music can be a powerful companion in times of emotional distress, offering comfort, validation, and hope. These Songs About Suicide serve as a reminder that you are not alone in your struggles and that choosing to stay alive is a courageous and worthwhile decision.
While music can be incredibly helpful, it is crucial to remember that it is not a replacement for professional help. If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out for support. Talking to a mental health professional can provide you with coping strategies, support systems, and pathways to healing.
If you are in crisis, please contact:
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 (in the United States)
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength, and there is hope for a brighter future. These songs are a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit and the possibility of overcoming even the darkest moments.
