37 Songs About Depression & Suicide – Sad Songs About Loss & Feeling Hopelessness

“Suicide” by Disciple

Song year: 2006

The Tennessee hard rock outfit Disciple has never been one to mince words.

Their lyrics are rife with references to fighting, war, rebellion and so on.

But it’s always with a positive twist because they’re a Christian band.

This song, literally titled “Suicide”, though open to some interpretation, is quite possibly the most encouraging song on the topic.

The opening line to the song is, “Why is your face down/left stuck in the ground?”

And, the chorus offers: “I’ll lay you down/Lift your hands/You’ve got a reason to live/This is not your time/Even though it’s dark now (the sun will shine again).”

So, if things are difficult for you right now, I’d encourage you to have a listen to this song.

“Goodbye I’m Sorry” by Jamestown Story Is A Song About Loss

Song year: 2007

Oftentimes, we tell ourselves stories about how people must see us.

Wrapped up in a world of subjectivity and make believe, it’s easy to feel depressed.

We also think endlessly about how life is supposed to be and ought to be without realizing how that’s coloring our view of the world.

This acoustic ballad by Jamestown Story captures all these thoughts and feelings: “And I’m sorry/But this is my fate/Everything is worthless/Nobody wants me to stay.”

Many people have felt this way at one point or another and that’s how depression can leave you feeling.

Don’t get lost in your own thoughts – seek help if this is the way you’re feeling about your world right now.

We have more goodbye songs here if that will help.

“This Song Saved My Life” by Simple Plan

Song year: 2011

It’s not uncommon to hear the words, “music has saved my life.”

Music gets people through tough times – it’s one of the so many reasons people gravitate towards music in tough times.

Simple Plan’s “This Song Saved My Life” is about being down and depressed but then hearing the right song at the right time.

Loneliness and isolation can oftentimes accompany depression but that doesn’t mean you need to keep everything locked inside.

You can turn to others, and if you can’t do that you can turn to this song – it might just save your life.

“Never Too Late” by Three Days Grace

Song year: 2006

Do you feel like your life is over?

Sometimes events and circumstances can feel like everything we’ve worked for is meaningless.

People come alongside us and encourage us, but we can’t even hear them.

As the narrator in this song shares: “Even if I say/It’ll be alright/Still I hear you say/You want to end your life.”

Sometimes no one can tell you anything that will change your mind – but maybe this song will.

“How To Disappear Completely” by Radiohead

Song year: 2000

Have you ever felt like you wanted to disappear or like life isn’t real?

This haunting number by Radiohead hits this nail on the head.

This song is hinting at being lost in your own thoughts and imagination.

It could even be interpreted that the narrator is slowly dying and is commenting on it as he’s fading.

There’s plenty of tension in this song so don’t expect it to lighten your mood.

“555” by Jimmy Eat World

Song year: 2019

Jimmy Eat World’s new single is a simple pop song about loneliness.

The first verse sets the tone nicely: “I keep my focus on the simple things/Try to find some peace along the way/Wish I knew how long I’m supposed to wait/Holding on/But just barely.”

And, based on the rather surprising music video, you could even say “555” is about feeling lonely in a crowded room.

555, by the way, refers to major positive change and in this case, it may reference all the signs the narrator is seeing.

But the more signs he sees, and the longer he waits, the less convinced he is that any change is coming.

“Hurt” by Nine Inch Nails

Song year: 1994

Whether it’s the Johnny Cash version or the Nine Inch Nails original, you can’t help but be moved by this chilling number.

We all feel sorry for ourselves at times.

And, we can end up going in circles.

“Everything is bad” is the theme of “Hurt.”

The narrator is even willing to trade everything he’s got: “And you could have it all/My empire of dirt/I will let you down/I will make you hurt.”

Everything isn’t bad but sometimes that’s how the world shows up for us.

That’s an important realization this song can leave you with.

“Headfirst For Halos” by My Chemical Romance

Song year: 2002

Musically, this is a classic punk rock song with a lot of attitude.

The lyrics, however, are nothing if not graphic in nature: “And I think I’ll blow my brains against the ceiling/And as the fragments of my skull begin to fall/Fall on your tongue like pixie dust/Just think happy thoughts and we’ll fly home.”

The song also hints at prescription drugs, which clearly aren’t helping the situation: “And now the red ones make me fly/And the blue ones help me fall.” Not quite the most positive songs about colors.

The song is rich with irony, which might make you smile or even laugh if you’re present to it.

“Bullet” by Hollywood Undead Is A Graphic Song About Suicide

Song year: 2011

Don’t be fooled by the happy sounding music – the lyrical content in “Bullet” is anything but apologetic.

Honestly, it might be the most direct and graphic song about suicide.

I don’t recommend listening to this if you’re severely depressed.

Unfortunately, some songs go to the extreme in glorifying depression and suicide and this might be one of them.

We shouldn’t be afraid to talk about depression, but we also shouldn’t put it on a pedestal.

“My Immortal” by Evanescence

Song year: 2000

As this song suggests, overwhelm is a common symptom of depression.

The pre-chorus offers a strong case: “These wounds won’t seem to heal/This pain is just too real/There’s just too much that time cannot erase.”

In this case, the cause of the depression seems to have its root in losing a loved one.

Losing someone is rarely easy and you can’t rush the grieving process.

That doesn’t mean you can’t come out on the other end stronger though.

“Dear Agony” by Breaking Benjamin Is A Sad Song

Song year: 2009

“Dear Agony” is like an open letter to depression.

Take the chorus for example: “Dear agony/Just let go of me/Suffer slowly/Is this the way it’s gotta be?/Dear agony.”

If you’re feeling depressed, it can be worth getting your thoughts down on paper.

Sometimes it’s hard to get clarity on what you’re feeling, and it can be helpful to have your thoughts reflected.

When you feel like you’ve been left on your own and no one’s coming to save you, this is your song.

“Skyscraper” by Demi Lovato

Song year: 2011

If you feel like you’re experiencing opposition right now, this can be a powerful song to put on.

“Skyscraper” is about overcoming the odds and taking on the challenges in front of you.

It’s about realizing that you are stronger than anything that could be thrown at you, including depression.

As this song boldly proclaims: “Go on and try to tear me down/I will be rising from the ground/Like a skyscraper, like a skyscraper.”

When you need a song to lift you up, this is a good one to turn to.