Some songs portray suicide as a compelling option, even an outright solution. It is doubtful that listening to such songs can cause suicidal thoughts, but it might intensify them.

Consider that old adage: What you focus on, expands. Focus on songs that portray suicide positively, and positive thoughts about suicide can expand.

So, here are 18 songs that implore people to resist suicide. Some might call them anti-suicide songs.

Some of the songs offer comfort or hope. Others simply discourage suicide. None portrays suicide as romantic, harmless, or otherwise desirable.

Warning: These are not necessarily happy, uplifting songs. Some are quite sad. But their message ultimately is to stay alive.

A Better Place, A Better Time

By Streetlight Manifesto (Alternative rock)

So you’re tired of living

Feel like you might give in

Well don’t

It’s not your time…

*

Beyond the Gray Sky

By 311 (Alternative rock)

Don’t give up the fight to stay alive and even if you have to

Find the reason of another’s pain if they lose you

If not for yourself then those around who care like I do

One day you’ll see the clear blue

Beyond the gray sky…

*

Come Out Fighting

By Pennywise (Alternative rock)

Well I know there are times when you’re feeling close to the ground

and there’s times when you may feel there’s no place to call home

and there’s times when the only end in sight is the end you got to

Come out fighting…

*

Crazy Baby

By Joan Osbourne (Rock)

Oh, my crazy baby

Try to hold on tight

Oh, my crazy baby

Don’t put out the light…

(This song is pretty dark. If not for the stanza above, it would be a far cry from an anti-suicide song.)

*

Don’t Try Suicide

Queen (Rock)

You need help

Look at yourself you need help

You need life

So don’t hang yourself

It’s OK OK OK OK…

(Be warned that this song contains offensive language, and it makes insensitive statements, like “Nobody cares” and “Nobody gives a damn” if you try suicide. Ultimately, the song redeems itself, and I know quite a few people who have felt strengthened by it during vulnerable times.)

*

Everybody Hurts

By R.E.M. (Alternative rock)

Everybody hurts

Take comfort in your friends

Everybody hurts

Don’t throw your hand, oh no…

*

Hold On

By Good Charlotte (Alternative rock)

Hold on, if you feel like letting go

Hold on, it gets better than you know…

*

Jumper

By Third Eye Blind (Alternative)

Everyone’s got to face down the demons

Maybe today we can put the past away

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…

*

Life Left to Go

By SafetySuit (Rock)

Oh, I’m begging you, no

There’s more life left to go

Oh, I’m begging you, please

Cause I, I don’t want you to leave me…

*

Lullaby

By Nickelback (Rock)

Stop thinking about

The easy way out

There’s no need to go and blow the candle out

Because you’re not done…

(I considered leaving this song out, because I think it is simplistic and misguided to call suicide “the easy way out.” Yet the song is otherwise too powerful to omit from this list simply because of those few words.)

*

Never Too Late

By Three Days Grace (Rock)

Still I hear you say you want to end your life

Now and again we try to just stay alive

Maybe we’ll turn it around ’cause it’s not too late

It’s never too late…

*

Out of Control

By Oingo Boingo (New wave/pop)

Don’t throw it away

You’ve got too many things to say

If you throw away your life…

The world will never be the same…

*

Self Conclusion

By Spill Canvas (Alternative)

Yeah we all flirt with the tiniest notion

Of self conclusion in one simplified motion

You see the trick is that you’re never supposed act on it

No matter how unbearable this misery gets…

*

Staying Alive

By Cursive (Alternative)

I’ve decided tonight

I’m staying alive

Just kicking and screaming

I’m, I’m staying alive…

*

Suicide

By the Raveonettes (Rock)

Lick your lips and f*** suicide

Suicide

Not tonight

Suicide

Not tonight…

*

Waste

By Staind (Metal)

I’ve had doubts,

I have failed,

I’ve f***** up,

I’ve had plans,

Doesn’t mean I should take my life with my own hands…

*

Why

By Rascal Flatts (Country)

Who told you life, wasn’t worth the fight

They were wrong, they lied

Now you’re gone, and we cried

‘Cause it’s not like you to walk away in the middle of a song

Your beautiful song…

*

You’re Not Alone

By Saosin (Indie rock)

You’re not alone

There is more to this, I know

You can make it out

You will live to tell…

Do You Know of Other Anti-Suicide Songs?

I created a follow-up to this post, called “When Hope is Gone, Just Hang On”: More Songs Against Suicide. If you know of a song that’s not in the current post or the newer one, please submit the name in the Comments below, and say a little about it, too, if you wish.

Stacey Freedenthal, PhD, LCSW, is the author of “Helping the Suicidal Person: Tips and Techniques for Professionals,” a psychotherapist and consultant, and an associate professor at the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work.

© Copyright 2014 Stacey Freedenthal, PhD, LCSW, All Rights Reserved. Written for www.speakingofsuicide.com

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