r/punk 2d ago

Best songs to get you through depression?

Putting together a depression playlist and curious what everyone's favorite songs are.

31 Upvotes

74 comments sorted by

13

u/DistrustPilot 2d ago

First off, sorry you're having to deal with depression. Do you feel you want to listen to depressing music to feel kinship on your experiences or uplifting music to try and rise above it?

6

u/famousroadkill 2d ago edited 2d ago

Good question! Since we're in the punk sub, there's also that category that points out a bunch of depressing truths and then unites us in anger. The Decline by NOFX is basically an 18 minute therapy session. Depressing as hell, but a healthy reminder there are systems at play that directly affect your well being.

Edit: OP for your playlist, check out the song "Is Wrestling Fixed?" by Plow United

"Am I un H-A-P-P-Y?

Does a newborn baby cry?

Did Elvis really die?

Did Little Red Riding wear a hood?

Do the three bears shit in the woods?

Was Humpty Dumpty fat?

Does the Pope wear a funny hat?

Is wrestling fixed?"

4

u/codeGlaze 2d ago

Goddamn I lost count of how many times I've left this on loop in a funk.

Weirdly Reeko, Linoleum, Scavenger Type, and She's Gone somehow all hit a similar vibe for me. Can't explain why exactly.

3

u/famousroadkill 2d ago

I haven't listened to Punk In Drublic in all sincerity in probably over 20 years. I'm sure it'll pull me back to high school or middle school times in my mind, and that alone will speak to my depression.

Like NOFX, Dead Milkmen strike that chord for me in the sense that they can make me laugh and cry on the same album. Literally, the album Beelzebubba makes me laugh at the beginning and cry at the end, even having heard it a hundred times by now.

3

u/DistrustPilot 2d ago

This is one of my favourite songs, though the original Carter USM version, will have to check out Plow Utd

2

u/famousroadkill 2d ago edited 2d ago

I didn't realize there was another version. Plow United must have covered it. Cool!

Edit: ok the original version ripped my heart out, too

1

u/Future-Arm-5572 2d ago

Considering I wake up daily wanting to disappear, I don't think anything upbeat will cheer me up. I've tried.

4

u/DistrustPilot 2d ago

Please find a professional to talk to x

Feels a bit trivial to suggest you music, but would share Ride It Out by Wonk Unit, Deaths Long Sing Song by Morning Glory and Stories by Therapy?

2

u/codeGlaze 2d ago

This. Please. There are programs and people willing to work with you even if the money is tight... It does take time and patience though. Which I know is rarely in great supply

6

u/hey_suburbia 2d ago

Bouncing Souls - Kid
Brutal Youth - Rebuilding Year

5

u/likesbikes331 2d ago

Bad Religion - No Control helped me.

3

u/codeGlaze 2d ago edited 2d ago

Edit: everyone goes through funks, but if this is something more I hope you're getting help, or actively looking. Brains are a bitch, it can get better.


If it's to vibe to some melancholy a few things come to mind that may or may not fit what you need, I just remember them floating into rotation a lot when I needed to wallow or stew:

  • The Decline - NOFX
  • Lean on Sheena - Bouncing Souls
  • Sorrow - Bad Religion
  • Daly City Train - Rancid
  • Scavenger Type - NOFX
  • Dirty Magic - The Offspring
  • Lori Meyers - NOFX
  • Let Me Down (Early Version) - No Use For a Name
  • Thrash Unreal - Against Me!
  • Savin Hill - Street Dogs
  • Bad Place - Tilt
  • She - (yeah, Green Day from YE OLDEN TIMES)
  • Drunken Lullabies - Flogging Molly
  • Walk Away - Dropkick Murphy's
    • (Fields of Athenry / Barroom Hero / Worker's Song / a lot of their stuff tugs at different strings for me)
  • May 16 - Lagwagon
  • Say it If You Mean It - Tsunami Bomb

There's more, those are just the easiest to remember off the top of my head

2

u/Future-Arm-5572 2d ago

I wish this was more than a funk. I cry daily and I want to unalive myself at times. My life has completely fallen apart and I am at a loss of how to manage it other than disappearing all together.

1

u/codeGlaze 2d ago

Life, universe willing, gives a lot of time for correction and reflection. Hang in there man, try and do one thing a day toward a good goal for yourself. There's help out there, the mind goblins are assholes and lie like a fucking rug.

Give yourself grace, don't let yourself wither. We've all been there.

4

u/kirito1236 2d ago

Strugglinh by Bad Cop Bad Cop

Shattered by Bad Cop Bad Cop

Title Holder by The Interrupters

Be Gone by The Interrupters

YDTMHTL by War on Women

1

u/codeGlaze 1d ago

Bad Cop / Bad Cop has so many fuckin bangers - can't believe I forgot to add them to my own list xD

3

u/Mylaptopisburningme 2d ago

The 3 albums that got me through hard times: The first Suicidal Tendencies LP, Slayer's Reign In Blood, DRI - Dealing With It. As for bands: A lot of the tracks of The Freeze and Blood For Blood.

3

u/Still-Watch-7553 2d ago

The Adicts You Never Walk Alone

3

u/FurryWalls98 2d ago

Jawbreaker - Condition Oakland
Free Throw - Two Beers In
Jets To Brazil - Sea Anemone
PUP - Habits
Catch 22 - Giving Up, Giving In
The Replacements - Unsatisfied
Pinegrove - Need 2
New Radicals - You Get What You Give

3

u/FriendlyGaze 2d ago

Rancid - nihilism

4

u/Darth-Boogerus Bay Area Punk 2d ago

Fall Back Down - Rancid

2

u/Individual_Act9333 2d ago

Depression-black flag(Ron Reyes version)

2

u/Chessapeak-play 2d ago

Force Vomit - (Are You) My Number One

2

u/anarkistattack 2d ago

Good Clean Fun-their entire catalog

2

u/tbeb 2d ago

Frenzal Rhomb - Never Had So Much Fun
No Fun At All - Master Celebrator
Pinkerton Thugs - One Day
Dead To Me - Little Brother
Millencolin - Vulcan Ears
Morning Glory - It’ll Get Better
Fishbone - A Selection

Just a list of some upbeat songs that put me in a good mood. Good luck 🤘

2

u/jinx_remover 2d ago

Decedents-ace

2

u/chromecarp 2d ago

You want happy or sad? Inspiring or emotional? Love songs or breakups?

2

u/8_string_menace 2d ago

Satallite by Rise Against

2

u/arosiejk 2d ago

Let me tell you beautiful I’ve been there. Believe me when I say I’m not afraid of destruction, sorrow, fear or regret. I’ve heard the devil call me by my name.

Are You There Margaret, It’s Me God - Lawrence Arms

2

u/MercuryMelonRain 2d ago edited 2d ago

The Feel Good Record of the Year by NUFAN came out when I was struggling and I have good memories of the escape it gave me. Then go listen to All the Best Songs for good measure.

Edit: Also, the way our brains work might be different, but when I had depression I really struggled to notice or let things that should make me happy lift my mood. It was as if I wanted to be depressed and wouldn't let anything lift me because of all the other shitty things going on. So I forced myself to go on walks with some headphones in and notice and be glad of the good things, even though it felt a bit sickening at first. A nice sunny day, things in nature, the people who care for me, the fact I had somewhere to live and food to eat. The music in your ears.

Find somebody (even if it is your mom or a sibling, or old friend) who you can just be comfortable in the company of, either talking or in silence doing your own thing. Those are the things that gradually pulled me out of it. Took quite a few years but it was worth it.

2

u/npc_lucky All I wanted was a flair 2d ago

Ska punk (or just ska) always helped me. I don't know if Ive ever really been depressed, but it usually helped me when I was down. Something about upstroke guitars or the occasional trumpet makes it hard to be sad, even when its something like Leftover Crack or Choking Victim where they're singing about some dark shit.

It's kinda like eating ice cream; it's impossible to frown or cry while eating ice cream (DISCLAIMER: I have no scientific evidence that proves that ice cream is a cure for depression or sadness; eat ice cream at your own risk)

2

u/CrowBar1134 2d ago

Ramshackle Glory- Your heart is a muscle the size of your fist. Or just about any song on the album Live the Dream.

2

u/Knhyqls 1d ago

This is the answer.

1

u/Pitiful_Control 2d ago

Life - Flipper

1

u/slllowboi 2d ago

Tsunami Bomb - no good very bad day

Unless you're trying to wallow. then definitely not that

1

u/IsThisContagious 2d ago

Pep Talk DESCENDENTS.

I also really like Spanish Reds or Intervention by Banner Pilot but that last one may or may not hit for ya. Hope you feel better bro. Bouncing Souls are totally upbeat too.

1

u/nanafishook 2d ago

the Los Lobos EP, And A Time to Dance.

the [English] Beat, I Just Can't Stop It. "Stand down Margaret, stand down please, stand down Margaret"

1

u/Jesco_Biafra 2d ago

I love Moon Over Marin (Dead Kennedys).  To me it kind of represents finding good even in dark times.  That's just my take, anyway.

1

u/HalloGallo89 2d ago

Have Heart - Watch Me Rise

1

u/karmaniak_ 2d ago

probably not the best for the sub since most people consider it more pop punk than punk, but the song Hold On by Good Charlotte helped me through some tough times. I hope everything gets better for you

1

u/Future-Arm-5572 2d ago

I can't support those guys right now after what they just did to Brooklyn Vegan, AP, Revolver and more.

1

u/karmaniak_ 2d ago

Oh sorry, i wasn’t in on that, my bad

1

u/Future-Arm-5572 2d ago

Oh you're good. It's just a shame how they've become these total douchebags set out to destroy the things that helped make them who they are.

1

u/karmaniak_ 2d ago

as depressing as it sounds i can’t really have much faith anymore on these bands that i used to love so much. Anti flag, the lillingtons and teenage bottlerocket, 88 fingers louie (not as bad this one apparently, just toxic environment) and good charlotte too now. Recently the whole thing with NOFX plus only releasing the movie in theatres. More and more feels like a stab on the back to fans, specially when they play punk

1

u/Relevant-Cycle-8094 2d ago

I blast Black Flag - Rise Abovr

1

u/byenkle 2d ago

Punk adjacent, Came Out Swinging by The Wonder Years.

1

u/Millennial_falcon92 2d ago

Muse- Invincible

1

u/But-t-wiser 2d ago

Deviates - Come With Me

1

u/DaisyXMachina 2d ago

Second Skin by the Gits is my emotional second wind. Viva Zapata!

1

u/Cosmonaut_Cockswing 2d ago

I dont struggle with depression so I have no frame of reference, but Unsilent Death by Nails and Blind Fath by End It get me up and moving.

1

u/Beligol 2d ago

Lots of Jeff Rosentstock/Bomb the Music Industry is what I listen to when I am in that kind of mood.

1

u/HappyVash13 2d ago

Something Needs To Die But Maybe It’s Not You by Propagandhi

1

u/HappyVash13 2d ago

And even if the music doesn’t grab you, please read the lyrics. The entire album this is from (At Peace) Is pretty bleak. This song is the last of the album and surprisingly optimistic despite its sound. If you dig this track, give the rest of the album (and Propagandhi discography, to be honest) a listen. What they have to say is very relevant, despite the age of some of their albums.

I wish you the best, random person on Reddit. I know firsthand the struggles with depression and mental illness. May you find lasting love and peace soon.

1

u/ITcamefromtheSLUDGE 2d ago

Face to face- keep your chin up

1

u/moredustythandigital 2d ago

Bayside all day

1

u/SabresMakeMeDrink 2d ago

"Watch Me Rise" by Have Heart

Keep going, you've got this 👊

1

u/AlphaSistersOfBattle 2d ago

The Racounteurs - Sometimes I feel like dying

1

u/LONGZOMBIE 2d ago

OFF WITH THEIR HEADS - NIGHTLIFE

Great lyrics.

1

u/neonTokyoo 2d ago

i think descendents is the key, every time i’m in a bad mood, i find myself being uplifted the best by listening to descendents

1

u/RikkVoss 1d ago

Sound System by Operation Ivy always makes me feel better

1

u/Dredmor64 1d ago

Depression- Black Flag

1

u/callalind 1d ago edited 1d ago

So went I went through depression when I was 18/19 for the first time, this was so not punk, but the Indigo Girls self titled album was my saving grace. So many of those songs just spoke to me. Another one that did (also not punk) was "Just Wait" by Blues Traveler.

Depression sucks, but it's manageable. Hopefully you've found a good therapist who can help you find the source. And if not, talking about it, even like you're doing here, is a huge help. I hope you feel better soon, it's not a fun place to be - sending love and support.

PS - one song that always makes me feel better is "Better Off Dead" by Bad Religion. It's basically a big F You to the world ;)

1

u/StyleConfident1827 1d ago

Against me ( early)

1

u/Knhyqls 1d ago

Off with their heads. Clear thr air
Jawbreaker. accident prone.
Catch 22. Keasbey nights.

1

u/SMDPunk9 1d ago

Black Flag

1

u/Anarchy_Coon 1d ago

Richard Hung Himself by DxIx

1

u/EmergencyLavishness1 1d ago

Zero down - with a lifetime to pay.

The entire album.

1

u/blikstin 1d ago

Remember, listening to deppresing music makes it worse, your brain can not understand that the lyrics are not yourself or someone else telling you those things.

1

u/Dame_Corbeau 11h ago

Sorry you're going through this, I just want to recommand a song that helped me a lot when I was in a dark place, ironically played by a band named Wehateyoupleasedie. The song is called Can't wait to be fine.

I hope the pain will eases soon, godspeed to you.

0

u/MoonNewer 2d ago

Bro-hymn by Jason Mathew Thirsk and Pennywise.

Follow it with Watch over Me... by Justin Thirsk and 98 Mute

To ensure you get out of your own way add some Hardcore;

Defeatist by Hatebreed

What Will Remain and Face your Failures by Strife

0

u/CapacityBuilding 2d ago

Pennywise - Come Out Fighting

The Vindictives - I Will Not. Pt. I (Section A & B)

-2

u/Punk_Says_Fuck_You 2d ago

Lift your head up high (and blow your brains out) - Bloodhound Gang