Songs About Self-Harm
When we talk about self-harm, we’re not just talking about inflicting injuries to one’s body. Self-harm also includes mental instability like, depression, regrets, suicidal thoughts, etc. In this article, we’ll be taking a look at songs about self-harm and what they mean.
1. “U” By Kendrick Lamar
Ranking first on our list osf songs about self harm is “U” by Kendrick Lamar. He’s one of hip-most hop’s celebrated MCs. When it comes to music, his lyrical creativity lets him tackle a wide range of topics with subtlety and vividness. To Pimp A Butterfly’s “u,” which can be found on the album, is an exploration of the artist’s past struggles with depression, suicidal ideation, and survivor’s guilt.
Depression, anxiety, etc are all forms of self-harm, but I think, self-guilt is the greatest. Imagine how bad you feel when you get judged by a friend, it stings! Now, imagine judging yourself, it’s a nightmare in reality!
If you listen to this song and don’t feel sorry for Kendrick, you most definitely need to visit the cardiologist, your heart needs to be checked.
In the song, it appears Kendrick is battling with his demons, this reminds me of a track in his latest album “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers” where he said
“…I’m fighting demons better known as myself…”
“.… every thought is creative, sometimes I’m afraid of my open mind”
Kendrick has been through a lot, I mean, the song says it all. He admitted that most of his insecurities, selfishness, and regrets were the basis of the song.
2. Lucid Dreams By Juice WRLD
Next on our list of songs about self harm is “lucid dreams” by Juice WRLD. When Juice WRLD died in 2019, the culture was left with a lot of unanswered issues about how to deal with mental illness and substance abuse. Lucid Dreams” is the most recognizable song by Juice WRLD. He wrote it as a “therapy session” during a difficult time in his relationship.
This track hits hard, especially after a breakup. Ending a relationship with someone you love can mess up your head big time
Juice WRLD’s “Lucid Dreams” examines the mental suffering one gets after a breakup.
If you’ve heard of the term “lucid dreaming,” it means that you’re awake while you’re dreaming. A dreamer’s ability to influence the content of their dreams can develop with time, but it takes practice. Yeah, this sounds like insanity!
To avoid seeing his ex-lover in his nightmares, Juice utilizes the example of controlling lucid dreams.
3. Logic, Cara Alessia, Khalid – 1-800-273-8255
I love the chorus of this song, Logic always delivers, always!
On “1-800-273-8255,” Logic addresses the problem of suicide directly.
“…my life doesn’t even matter…”
Now, this is some real, hardcore suicidal talk.
If you’re not American, you’d probably be wondering, what’s up with the title, it’s very dull. It’s depressing!
The American National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is the song’s title (NSPL). To the tune, Logic tackles issues like homophobia and bullying, both of which are frequent triggers for people to take their own lives.
“1-800-273-8255” has been dubbed by Logic as the “most essential song” in his discography. To tell you how amazing this song is, It has sold more than 6,000,000 copies in the US, making it his most successful album.
Logic always delivers!
4. Beautiful By Eminem
This is not the normal “Slim Shady-Marshall Mathers-Eminem” song. Eminem always has a way to touch my soul with his songs
From the first line of the first verse, it’s pretty obvious what this song is about.
“I am so f**king depressed…”
Eminem is depressed.
He raps about how fame and popularity have brought depression in his life. How everybody is “trying to follow him around and wipe his ass.” Even when he says something that’s not funny everybody goes:
“…you’re so funny,
You should be a comedian…”
From this song, I think he’s just tired of everybody trying to impress him. He just wants a normal life like you and me.
He also takes us on a tour of his childhood and from the song Mr. Marshall Mathers was not a happy child. I started feeling a little depressed while listening to the song. It was so filled with emotion.
As a kid, he just wanted to fit in with his peers. He didn’t like being an outcast, nobody does. He wanted to be the cool kid and would give almost anything just to be that, even if he had to act stupid just to belong, he wouldn’t mind.
He also talks about his dad:
“I was never the type of kid to wait by the door and…For a dad to show up…”
If you know Eminem, you know that he had a “father figure deficiency” in his childhood. Not having a father can affect a child as he plays a major role in the child’s upbringing.
The chorus of the song is a simple message to any child going through what you went through or anybody in a tight corner. Kiss message in the chorus of the song is that you are beautiful just the way you are, you don’t need to fit into another person’s shoes just to find closure.
5. Mansion By NF and Fleuri
Well, we know NF, and constantly battling his demons. NF popped up as a very popular rapper in 2017. Some may say he’s like Eminem’s Clone, besides, the rapper has admitted that Eminem was someone he idolized while pursuing his career.
NF is without a doubt an outstanding rapper but, there seems to be this dark cloud hovering over him and the music he makes. But if the fans love it, I don’t see any problem with that, at least he’s keeping it REAL.
NF did an excellent job with this song.
Fleuri comes in with the intro and NF takes the wheels from there. NF has used the term “Mansion” to represent his mind. In this “mansion”, there are rooms, just like real mansions, the difference here is that these are no ordinary rooms.
From the lyrics, you’ll understand that these rooms are the demons NF is struggling with, anger, depression, physical abuse, regrets, fear, trust issues, etc.
NF originally built the mansion as a safe house from the world, a place where he escapes in trying moments. But he let fear in and it seems fear has come to stay.
The problem now is, that he can’t get out even if he wants to because he is still hiding from the world and his safe house, well, it isn’t so safe anymore.
