[AlteredState01]

Can you name tunes written about mental illness or the expression of?

A biggie that comes to mind for me, and is one of my all time favourite bands is Pink Floyd and tons of their tunes written about one the founding members (David Gilmore, was it?), who left the band in its early stages because of mental illness.

Only one comes to mind at the moment though (because it's stuck in my head) is:

Shine on You Crazy Diamond

but I know many songs have been written about and for him. This was done over many albums. Always thought it was touching that they never forgot him, nor "left him behind" in their rise to success.

Oh, there's another tune, about 5 years old now, about a girl:

"who'll tell you she's an orphan
after you meet her family..." (something like that)

"She says she talks to angels;
says they call her out by her name;
yeah, she talks to angels,
calls them out by their name...

Thought all you guys came up with so many movies, you could help do the same with tunes - in all genres!

Thanks!
AS

[complic8d]

"She Talks to Angels"- by the Black Crowes! That's one of my favs.

How about anything from Alanis Morisette, Evanescence?

Candlebox wrote "Far Behind"- about a friend who died from bipolar.

Yeah, there's a lot of stuff out there, music has always talked to me, so I guess a lot of stuff is about mental illness!! lol

[radio_flyer]

Unwell - Matchbox Twenty

[SeptemberMorn]

On of my all time favorites! If I could, I'd get up and get down!!!

Laura Branigan - Gloria Lyrics

Gloria, you're always on the run now
Running after somebody
You gotta get him somehow
I think you've got to slow down
Before you start to blow it
I think you're headed for a breakdown
So be careful not to show it

You really don't remember
Was it something that he said
Are the voices in your head
Calling, Gloria

Gloria, don't you think you're fallin'
If everybody wants you
Why isn't anybody callin'
You don't have to answer
Leave them hangin' on the line
Oh-oh-oh, calling Gloria

Gloria (Gloria)
I think they got your number
(Gloria)
I think they got the alias
(Gloria)
That you've been living under
(Gloria)
But you really don't remember
Was it something that they said
Are the voices in your head
Calling, Gloria

A-ha-ha, a-ha-ha
Gloria, how's it gonna go down
Will you meet him on the main line
Or will you catch him on the rebound
Will you marry for the money
Take a lover in the afternoon
Feel your innocence slippin' away
Don't believe it's comin' back soon

And you really don't remember
Was it something that he said
Are the voices in your head
Calling, Gloria

Gloria, don't you think you're fallin'
If everybody wants you
Why isn't anybody callin'
You don't have to answer
Leave them hangin' on the line
Oh-oh-oh, calling Gloria

Gloria
(Gloria)
I think they got your number
(Gloria)
I think they got the alias
(Gloria)
That you've been living under
(Gloria)
But you really don't remember
Was it something that they said
Are the voices in your head
Calling, Gloria

(Gloria, Gloria, Gloria, Gloria, Gloria)

(Gloria, Gloria, Gloria, Gloria, Gloria)

Manic Depression- Jimi Hendrix

Everybody Hurts- REM

Jeremy- Pearl Jam

Yer Blues- Beatles

Bi-Polar Bear- Stone Temple Pilots

Paranoid- Black Sabbath

Excitable Boy- Warren Zevon

I know I'm showing my age here *gasp*

Communication Breakdown-- Led Zeppelin

Sad Lisa-- Cat Stevens

Acute Schizophrenia Paranoia Blues --The Kinks

Just about the whole "Wall" album by Pink Floyd

I Wanna Be Sedated--The Ramones

[SeptemberMorn]

You of the <font color="purple">Purple Petals</font> ... I'm beginning to think you're almost as old as I am!

[lenjan]

I Wanna Be Sedated was about heroin, not mental illness!

I was just thinking that addictions, at least in the Heroin related deaths of my two brothers, are sometimes connected with mental illness.

Twenty-twenty-twenty four hours to go I wanna be sedated
Nothin' to do and no where to go-o-oh I wanna be sedated
Just get me to the airport put me on a plane
Hurry hurry hurry before I go insane
I can't control my fingers I can't control my brain

[lenjan]

I didn't say you were wrong and the 'tude is uncalled for.

You are absolutely right. I'm sorry. I took this part out, which is what you were probably referring to. I hope this removed the 'tude.

Gee, sorry CandyBear. Didn't mean to be so wrong.

Petunia

[lenjan]

I didn't mean to hit a hot button. I'm sorry if I did it inadvertently. I'm going back to my cave now.

CB

[DaveyJones]

Song: I Don't Live Today Lyrics--Jimi Hendrix

Will I live tomorrow?
Well, I just can't say
Will I live tomorrow?
Well, I just can't say
But I don't know for sure
I don't live today

No sun comin' through my window
Feel like I'm livin' at the bottom of a grave
No-ho sun comin' through my window
Feel like I'm livin' at the bottom of a grave
I wish you'd hurry up and rescue me
So I can be on my miserable way

Well, I don't
Live today
Maybe tomorrow, I just can't say
I don't
Live today
It's such a shame to waste your time away like this
Existing

Well, I don't
Live today
Maybe tomorrow, I just can't tell you baby
I don't
Live today
It's such a shame to spend the time
Away like this

[pooh_ac]

Hmm I prefer oldies too but some that have hit me in my "later" years. "Take Me Home" - Phil Collins, "River of Tears" Eric Clapton. Have noted several of Phils songs hit home when things are bad
I also like the "Angel" song by those Crows

[(JD)]

THere's one I've heard on country radio "Tonight, I'm just me"

[Rhapsody]

Artist: Matchbox 20
Song: Unwell

All day
Staring at the ceiling
Making friends with shadows on my wall
All night
Hearing voices telling me
That I should get some sleep
Because tomorrow might be good for something
Hold on
I'm feeling like I'm headed for a
Breakdown
I don't know why
I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell
I know, right now you can't tell
But stay awhile and maybe then you'll see
A different side of me
I'm not crazy, I'm just a little impaired
I know, right now you don't care
But soon enough you're gonna think of me
And how I used to be
Me
Talking to myself in public
Dodging glances on the train
I know
I know they've all been talking 'bout me
I can hear them whisper
And it makes me think there must be something wrong
With me
Out of all the hours thinking
Somehow
I've lost my mind
I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell
I know, right now you can't tell
But stay awhile and maybe then you'll see
A different side of me
I'm not crazy, I'm just a little impaired
I know right now you don't care
But soon enough you're gonna think of me
And how I used to be
I been talking in my sleep
Pretty soon they'll come to get me
Yeah, they're taking me away
I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell
I know, right now you can't tell
But stay awhile and maybe then you'll see
A different side of me
I'm not crazy I'm just a little impaired
I know, right now you don't care
But soon enough you're gonna think of me
And how I used to be
Hey, how I used to be
How I used to be, yeah
Well I'm just a little unwell
How I used to be
How I used to be

[Rhapsody]

Artist: Johnny Cash
Song: Hurt

I hurt myself today to see if I still feel I focus on the pain the only thing that's real the needle tears a hole the old familiar sting try to kill it all away but I remember everything what have I become? my sweetest friend everyone I know goes away in the end you could have it all my empire of dirt
I will let you down I will make you hurt

I wear my crown of thorns on my liar's chair full of broken thoughts I cannot repair beneath the stain of time the feeling disappears you are someone else I am still right here what have I become? my sweetest friend everyone I know goes away in the end you could have it all my empire of dirt

I will let you down I will make you hurt

If I could start again a million miles away I would keep myself I would find a way

[Rhapsody]

Artist: Napoleon XIV
Song: They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!

Lyrics :

Remember when you ran away and I got on my knees and begged you not to
leave because I'd go berserk?? Well...
You left me anyhow and then the days got worse and worse and now you see
I've gone completely out of my mind.. And..
They're coming to take me away, ha-haaa!!
They're coming to take me away, ho-ho, hee-hee, ha-haaa
To the funny farm. Where life is beautiful all the time and I'll be
happy to see those nice young men in their clean white coats and they're
coming to take me away, ha-haaa!!!!!

You thought it was a joke and so you laughed, you laughed when I had said
that loosing you would make me flip my lid.. RIGHT???
I know you laughed, I heard you laugh, you laughed you laughed and
laughed and then you left, but now you know I'm utterly mad... And..

They're coming to take me away, ha-haaa,
They're coming to take me away, ho-ho, hee-hee, ha-haaa.
To the happy home. With trees and flowers and chirping birds and basket
weavers who sit and smile and twiddle their thumbs and toes and they're
coming to take me away, ha-haaa!!!

I cooked your food, I cleaned your house, and this is how you pay me back
for all my kind unselfish loving deeds.. Huh??
Well you just wait, they'll find you yet and when they do they'll put you
in the ASPCA, you mangy mutt!!! And...

They're coming to take me away, ha-haaa.
They're coming to take me away, ho-ho, hee-hee, ha-haaa.
To the funny farm, where life is beautiful all the time and I'll be happy
to see those nice young men in their clean white coats and they're coming
to take me away, ha-haaa!!!
To the happy home, with trees and flowers and chirping birds and basket
weavers who sit and smile and twiddle their thumbs and toes and they're
coming to take me away, ha-haa!!!
To the funny farm, where life is beautiful all the time... (fade out)

Hey, buddy!
Yes officer..
You a head?
No, but I'm catching up, ha ha ha....

[(JD)]

I do enjoy that song!

[Rhapsody]

Artist: Black Sabbath
Song: Am I Going Insane

Click here to send Black Sabbath polyphonic ringtone to your cell phone.
Everybody’s looking at me, feeling paranoid inside
When I step outside I feel free, think I’ll find a place to hide
Tell me people, am I going insane?
Tell me people, am I going insane?

Every day I sit and wonder how my life it used to be
Now I feel like going under, now my life is hard to see
So tell me people, am I going insane?
Tell me people, am I going insane?

So I’m telling all you people, listen while I sing again
If I don’t sound very cheerful, I think that I’m a schizophren
So tell me people, am I going insane?
Tell me people, am I going insane?

[Rhapsody]

"You've Got A Friend" by James Taylor is a letter written to a friend he met while a patient at the McLean Hospital (Suzanne);
.... she apparently committed suicide.

~ "You've Got A Friend" ~

When youre down and troubled
And you need a helping hand
And nothing, whoa nothing is going right.
Close your eyes and think of me
And soon I will be there
To brighten up even your darkest nights.

You just call out my name,
And you know whereever I am
Ill come running, oh yeah baby
To see you again.
Winter, spring, summer, or fall,
All you have to do is call
And Ill be there, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Youve got a friend.

If the sky above you
Should turn dark and full of clouds
And that old north wind should begin to blow
Keep your head together and call my name out loud
And soon I will be knocking upon your door.
You just call out my name and you know where ever I am
Ill come running to see you again.
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you got to do is call
And Ill be there, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Hey, aint it good to know that youve got a friend?
People can be so cold.
Theyll hurt you and desert you.
Well theyll take your soul if you let them.
Oh yeah, but dont you let them.

You just call out my name and you know wherever I am
Ill come running to see you again.
Oh babe, dont you know that,
Winter spring summer or fall,
Hey now, all youve got to do is call.
Lord, Ill be there, yes I will.
Youve got a friend.
Youve got a friend.
Aint it good to know youve got a friend.
Aint it good to know youve got a friend.
Youve got a friend.

[Rhapsody]

Artist: James Taylor
Song: Fire & Rain

....... Second Song to Suzanne

Just yesterday morning they let me know you were gone
Susanne the plans they made put an end to you
I walked out this morning and I wrote down this song
I just cant remember who to send it to

Ive seen fire and Ive seen rain
Ive seen sunny days that I thought would never end
Ive seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
But I always thought that Id see you again

Wont you look down upon me, jesus
Youve got to help me make a stand
Youve just got to see me through another day
My bodys aching and my time is at hand
And I wont make it any other way

Oh, Ive seen fire and Ive seen rain
Ive seen sunny days that I thought would never end
Ive seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
But I always thought that Id see you again

Been walking my mind to an easy time my back turned towards the sun
Lord knows when the cold wind blows itll turn your head around
Well, theres hours of time on the telephone line to talk about things
To come
Sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground

Oh, Ive seen fire and Ive seen rain
Ive seen sunny days that I thought would never end
Ive seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
But I always thought that Id see you, baby, one more time again, now

Thought Id see you one more time again
Theres just a few things coming my way this time around, now
Thought Id see you, thought Id see you fire and rain, now

[Rhapsody]

Artist: Dream Theater
Song: Losing Time

* * * * * * * * *
The entire second disc of Dream Theater's Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence double-album
... is about a bi-polar woman and a schizophrenic man.
* * * * * * * * * *

She dresses in black everyday
She keeps her hair simple and plain
She never wears makeup
But no one would care if she did anyway

She doesn't recall yesterday
Faces seem twisted and strange
But she always wakes up
Only to find she'd been miles away

Absence of awareness
Losing time
A lapse of perception
Losing time

Wanting to escape
She had created a way to survive
She learned to detatch form herself
A behavior that kept her alive

Hope in the face of our human distress
Helps us to understand the turbulence deep inside
That takes hold of our lives
Shame and disgrace over mental unrest
Keeps us from saving those we love
The grace withing our hearts
And the sorrow in our souls
Deception of fame
Vengeance of war
Lives torn apart
Spiraling down
Feeling the walls closing in
A journey to find
The answers inside
Our illusive mind

[Rhapsody]

Artist: James Taylor
Song: Knocking ’round The Zoo

.... James Taylor's Rockin' Round the Zoo is about his stay at McLean's Hospital.

Just knocking around the zoo on a thursday afternoon
Theres bars on all the windows and theyre counting up the spoons
And if Im feeling edgy theres a chick whos paid to be my slave
But shell hit me with a needle if she thinks Im trying to misbehave

Now the keepers trying to cool me says Im bound to be alright
But I know that he cant fool me cause Im putting him uptight
And I can feel him getting edgy every time I make a sudden move
And I can hear them celebrating every time I up and leave the room

Now my friends all came to see me they point at me and stare
Said hes just like the rest of us so whats he doing in there
They hide in their movie theaters drinking juice-keeping tight
cause theyre certain about one thing that zoos no place to spend the
Night

Just knocking around the zoo on a thursday afternoon
Theres bars on all the windows and theyre counting up the spoons
And if Im feeling edgy theres a chick whos paid to be my slave
But shell hit me with a needle if she thinks Im trying to misbehave

[Rhapsody]

ARTIST: Annie Ross and Wardell Grey
TITLE: Twisted

My analyst told me that I was right out of my head
The way he described it he said I'd be better dead than live
I didn't listen to his jive
I knew all along that he was all wrong
And I knew that he thought I was crazy
But I'm not, oh no

/ G - C7 - / G - G7 - / C7 - - - / G - - - / Am - D7 - / G7 E7 Am D7 /

My analyst told me that I was right out of my head
He said I need treatment but I'm not that easily led
He said I was the type that was most inclined
When out of his sight to be out of my mind
And he thought I was nuts
No more ifs or ands or buts

They say as I child I appeared a little bit wild
With all my crazy ideas, but I knew what was happening
I knew I was a genius
What's so strange
When you know that you're a wizard at three
I knew that this was meant to be

Now I heard little children were supposed to sleep tight
That's why I drank a fifth of vodka one night
My parents got frantic didn't know what to do
But I saw some crazy scenes before I came to
Now do you think I was crazy
I may have been only three, but I was swinging

They all laughed at A. Graham Bell, they all laughed at Edison
And also at Einstein, so why should I feel sorry
If they just couldn't understand the idiomatic logic
That went on in my head, I had a brain, it was insane
Oh they used to laugh at me when I'd refuse to ride
On all those double-decker busses
All because there was no driver on the top

What, no driver on the top?
Man the chick is twisted, crazy, moogie-shoogie, idiot flip city!

/ G - C7 - / /

My analyst told me that I was right out of my head
But I said dear doctor I think that it's you instead
Because I've got a thing that's unique and new
To prove that I'll have the last laugh on you
'Cause instead of one head I've got two
And you know two heads are better than one