Exorcising The Demons Through Song - Part 1 Depressing Songs

"Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil[a] spirit from the LORD tormented him. Saul’s attendants said to him, “See, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. Let our lord command his servants here to search for someone who can play the lyre. He will play when the evil spirit from God comes on you, and you will feel better.” So Saul said to his attendants, “Find someone who plays well and bring him to me.” One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the LORD is with him.” Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.” So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them with his son David to Saul. David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers. Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.” Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him. " -- 1 Samuel 16:14-23

This passage is interesting in that it shows a place where an evil spirit is driven away or exorcised through music. This shouldn't come as much of a surprise to anyone. Music and songs are powerful as they can either change our mood, or as is more likely the case, amplify the emotions of whatever mood we find ourselves in. Unlike Saul, I don't think I've ever been depressed or angry and then listened to a song to make me feel better. Usually I take the music to further amplify that emotion. Which probably, OK, isn't, a good thing to do. I've also used music to get the adrenaline pumping before a big game or before working out.

This post is a list of songs that I've found to be either sad or depressing. Next post will be the workout songs. I'll also try to write a third post on songs that would have the possibility of turning that frown upside down.



DEPRESSING SONGS

1. Lost Cause by Beck

Memorable Line: "I'm Tired of fighting, fighting for a lost cause."

Wow, I hadn't viewed the music video of this song, it's rather strange...Anyways, in my experience, if you are depressed and want to get even more depressed this is a pretty good song to listen to.







2. Georgia Lee by Tom Waits

Memorable Line: "Why wasn't God watching? Why wasn't God listening? Why wasn't God there for Georgia Lee?" 

I used to play this and my mother would hear it in the other room and come in to tell me to turn it off. Too sad she said.







 3. Martha by Tom Waits

Memorable Line: "And I was always so impulsive, I guess that I still am,
And all that really mattered then was that I was a man.
I guess that our being together was never meant to be.
And Martha, Martha, I love you can't you see?"







4. Hope There's Someone by Antony and the Johnsons

Memorable Line: "Hope there's someone Who'll take care of me When I die, will I go"






5. Not Dark Yet by Bob Dylan

Memorable Line: "Sometimes my burden is more than I can bear. It's not dark yet but it's gettin' there." 

This one is for my dad. He has always found this one to be depressing.