Songs about abuse

musicismylife78musicismylife78 Posts: 6,116
edited February 2009 in Other Music
Many of us just love good songs in general. However, I think something can be said for writing a song about abuse, either based on personal experience or just putting yourself in someones shoes, or singing about something that happened to someone you know.

In many ways these songs are hugely important. they provide catharsis, release, and feelings of being understood to both the listener and the singer as well

What are some songs that are written about abuse?

Just heard Kissing Families by Silversun Pickups today, What an incredible song
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • DeLukinDeLukin Posts: 2,757
    I guess the obvious would be Rearview Mirror, or Go. But I also remember My Name is Luca by Suzanne Vega. And Joey by Concrete Blonde - a different kind of abuse maybe, but still about an abusive relationship. And even Bishop's Robes by Radiohead. There are lots. That must be a topic that gets the creative juices flowing!
    I smile, but who am I kidding...
  • JordyWordyJordyWordy Posts: 2,261
    Pat Benatar - Hell is for children
    Nirvana - Polly
    Pink Floyd - Mother
    Kings X - Mr Evil
    Ani DiFranco - 2 little girls
    Disturbed - Down with the sickness
    Garbage - Cherry Lips
    Linkin Park - Crawling
    Tool - Prison Sex

    isnt Falling Away From Me by Korn about something like that too? cant think of the lyrics now so cant remember...
  • pretextpretext Posts: 1,294
    Good Enough - Sarah McLachlan
  • normnorm Posts: 31,146
    You Think You Know Somebody - Todd Snider

    You think you know somebody
    You think they know you
    You think you know somebody
    But man you never do

    Jackie used to live three blocks away from me
    We used to throw the baseball
    And we'd climb his old oak tree
    You know we would sneak his old man's cigarettes
    Behind the picket fence
    We swore that we would always be best of friends
    We used to sit out on the curb
    And talk on summer nights
    Until Jackie's dad would call him
    And he took off like a light
    The Friday nights were all the same
    Our high school senior year
    We hung out at the river
    Drank black label beer
    And we would listen to the Stones
    With all of our old friends
    Maybe sneak a toke or two
    Down where the river bends
    Well I remember how I said
    I'd drive him home on Friday night
    Well he said go on without out me
    Buddy I'll be all right
    We went off to college
    Start our freshman year
    Well I went off to school
    About an hour away from here
    But you know Jackie he took off
    Went to college out of state
    He used to call me all the time
    He used to tell me it was great
    He said I'm coming home for Christmas
    And I hope you'll do the same
    Well he'd say that he was coming
    But Jackie never came

    Ah, you think you know somebody
    You think they know you
    You think you know somebody
    But man you never do

    Well the night that he got married
    Well I was his best man
    He's moved back to town
    And now we're neighbors again
    I've since found myself a wife
    So now I'm married too
    Our families get together
    Every Sunday afternoon
    His boy and my boy
    They sit out and talk at night
    Until Jackie calls for his boy
    And then he takes off like a light
    Last night I saw the flashing lights
    I quickly ran outside
    A neighbor lady told me
    That Jackie's youngest boy had died
    And I was shocked to see the cops
    Had Jackie handcuffed in the car
    'Til this morning's paper told me
    That Jackie had gone too far
    And now they're saying Jackie
    He ain't the only one to blame
    'Cause battered children, they almost always
    Grow up to do the same

    You think you know somebody
    You think they you know you
    You think you know somebody
    But man you never do
    Ooohhhh....
  • CB206820CB206820 Posts: 105
    Whipping Post - Allman Brothers...

    Maybe not abuse, but man got hurt!
  • caroline says I & II by lou reed
  • pretextpretext Posts: 1,294
    Written On the Back of His Hand - Lucy Kaplansky
  • FinsburyParkCarrotsFinsburyParkCarrots Seattle, WA Posts: 12,223
    Kevin Coyne was the master of this kind of song:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kPrO8ebzbI


    This is a lot rawer and less contrived than most material on this theme. Coyne was an incredible writer, artist and musician.


    Here's another song by Kevin, about a different kind of abuse:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3hXXn_dIYM
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