There’s a certain feeling you get when hearing a song-lyric that reminds you of something sad, and your brain picks up on it. Various chemicals like dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphins are released from the body when listening to music which are responsible for the emotions you feel. These chemical responses all rely on the state of our mental health. Artist’s over-time became more open on mental health topics like failed romances, loss, failure at life or overall depression while experimenting with the sounds they used.
Lyricists like Jeff Buckley, Frank Ocean, Daniel Caesar, and Thom Yorke are a few popular examples of artists that teenagers listen to. Miami High students often find themselves in relationships that can be toxic, draining, or otherwise harmful to both parties. Although these relationships impact their mental health, lyrics can reflect and resonate with the head space they’re currently in. When asked if lyrics matter, junior Matthew Garay said, “There is a message from the artist for the listener to hear, and when a person is feeling down sometimes that is the message they need. Rod Wave is an artist that describes struggle, heartbreak, and a journey from hardship, and I know many people that relate to his lyrics.”
Songs that try to convey sadness typically consist of instrumentals that remind us of melancholic or hard times. Artists need to create an appeal for you to get into their lyrics. Junior Elizabeth Delgadillo explained, “The beat and rhythm is what brings you into the track, something that just wants to make you cry. Add those lyrics on top and you can really get into a dark place.”
As poetic as these lyrics are, most have truths to them. Artists are often in dark places during the time of writing songs, and it truly shows in their performance and message. Countless artists over the years have been battling with mental health issues. For example, Adele, Billie Eilish, and even pop-star Justin Bieber have all dealt with deep depression. Although being a musician already brings its own troubles and battles, life itself will always have something to throw at you. These artists constantly deal with harassment from paparazzi, abusive lifestyles, packed schedules, and negative comments that could be about their behavior, appearance, or music itself. Musicians also have lives and experience their own troubles and trauma in various ways. Adele has dealt with post-partum depression, Mac Miller abused drugs to avoid his issues, and Kurt Cobain took his life after a buildup of a tense career, toxic relationship, and abusive nature. These are real people beyond their work, and just like many students here at Miami High, have issues deep down. To deal with these problems doesn’t require talent, just the knowledge to ask for help.
