13 Great Songs About Death
12. Johnny Mandel - Suicide Is Painless
One of the most powerful songs of all time, written for one of the most powerful TV shows of all time, had its lyrics written by a 14 year old. The theme for both the film and subsequent TV show M*A*S*H, the song was used for a sequence known as the "Last Supper" scene featured the fake suicide of a depressed soldier in the 1970 movie.
Director Robert Altman left the responsibility to his son in order to make it "stupid enough" which resulted in son Mike Altman earning over $1 million whereas daddy only ended up making $70,000.
Egg, meet face.
As the song name suggests, the song documents a first-hand account of someone with depression contemplating taking their own life, picturing it as an easy alternative to the trials and tribulations that life brings. If you think that sounds grim, then you'd be right. Even Marilyn Manson thought it was the most depressing song ever written. And he's Marilyn Manson.
Manson himself covered the song in 2000 for Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2, after Welsh rock band Manic Street Preachers covered the song for NME's 40th anniversary album, bringing the song newer audiences that can now contemplate all of their life decisions.
How generous.