DISCLAIMER
There are talks of suicide in this blog post.
If this is an emergency, please call 911!
If you or anyone you know are experiencing suicidal thoughts, please reach out by...
Calling: 988
You will first hear a greeting message with the options to press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line, 2 for Spanish, or stay on the line while your call is routed to your local Lifeline network crisis center. Then a trained crisis counselor will answer the phone, provide support, and share resources if needed. (Mental Health America)
Texting: 988
You will complete a short survey letting the crisis counselor know a little about your situation. You will be connected with a trained crisis counselor in a crisis center, who will answer the text, provide support, and share resources if needed. ((Mental Health America)
Chat: Visit 988lifeline.org
Find the chat button in the top right-hand corner of the screen. You will complete a short survey letting the crisis counselor know a little bit about your current situation. Then you’ll see a wait-time message while you are connected with a trained crisis counselor who will answer the chat, provide support, and share resources if needed. (Mental Health America)
International Hotlines + Recourses
Hello and welcome to another blog post!
In this installment of "Music with Meaning" I wanted to share a few songs, that I love, describing the unfortunate events and emotions of losing a friend. I have been though my fair share of friendships that have ended in mutual agreement, fiery conflict, or that have simply just ended. Take a good listen to these songs and the stories and deep emotions that they may bring.
Please enjoy!
Selena Gomez | People You Know
Sometimes friend breakups are even more painful than romantic relationship breakups. This song, by the one and only Selena Gomez, has such catchy yet relevant lyrics about any relationship ending and the reality of the aftermath. "People You Know" describes a relationship that goes from inseparable individuals to complete strangers. This song can relate to any type of relationship, in this case a friendship. The chorus tells us the meaning of this song very plainly.
“We used to be close, but people can go
From people you know to people you don't
And what hurts the most is people can go
From people you know to people you don't”
A relationship that was pure bliss, but you look back and it feels like you wasted all your time. It's strange how you can know everything about someone and... poof... you don't. The awkward aftermath that comes after a friend breakup is something that I do not wish on anyone!
"You were running through me like water
Now the feeling's leaving me dry
These days we couldn't be farther
So how's it feel to be on the other side?"
That feeling inside when you see them for the first time after everything has happened is the worst! A very scary thing to think about, but a very real thing that happens.
Music Lyrics: "People You Know" By: Selena Gomez
Libianca | People
I've listened to this song numerous times and, not only is the song beautifully made, I relate to this song in many ways. The song "People", by the American-Cameroonian singer Libianca Fonji, brings me back to the many times when I would be suffering from the hardships of life, and I’d be begging for someone to reach out to me. Sometimes there would be times where I think that my friends aren’t really my friends because of this.
"Nobody wey know the paranoia, oh
'Cause I put a smile on my face, a facade you can never face (hoo)
And if you don't know me well, well, oh
You won't see how buried I am inside my grave, inside my grave"
Turns out the story behind this song has a very deep meaning. Earlier this year, this musical artist Libianca did an interview with BBC’s Mark Savage where she explains her very real reality with a mood disorder. Mark Savage states in the interview...
The lyrics discuss her experience of the rare mood disorder cyclothymia, which causes emotional ups and downs that are similar to, but less extreme than, those of bipolar disorder. She wrote the song last November, after throwing a Thanksgiving party where she "felt invisible".
"I'd been at a low point of my life for at least two weeks and I was just like, 'I can't take any more of this'," she explains over the phone from Paris. "There were self-harmful thoughts, over-thinking, really anxious - a bunch of things going on in my head."
While her friends were celebrating, Libianca spent much of the night crying in the bathroom.
When she came downstairs, no-one noticed her puffy red eyes. No-one asked how she was. They simply offered her a drink.
"I felt like I was drowning in it and nobody could see me and I just needed some help."
"So I decided, you know what? Let me just go in the studio, because I feel better whenever I've done something productive. That helps me. (Savage, 2023)
I’m grateful for the many people that have been there for me at times when I was screaming, but from the inside. I would have a smile on my face and I would be yelling for help on the inside. This song is a need for someone to recognize that my smiling face was merely a mask for the world. Do we have friends that will notice our pain, take the mask off, and comfort us?
If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide, please use the resources listed at the beginning of this blog post.
Music Video: "People" By: Libianca
Rex Orange County | Stressed Out
Such a short song but yet such a strong message. This song, by Rex Orange County, is calling out those sh*tty *ss friends. Those “friends” that take advantage of you or try to control your life. Those who aren’t there for you at your worst.
“They wanna see me stressed out every day, I know it (Yeah)
They wanna lie and still be friends
But when you're at your worst, they're not there
And you discovered that they don't care”
The realization that your so called "friends" aren't really there for you is one of the most heartbreaking things that I have experienced. You may have lost a friend, but you did gain a very good lesson. A very hurtful lesson to learn, but a very necessary lesson to learn. These are the types of friendships where you cherish their memories but accept that fact that they’re memories for a reason.
Music Audio: "Stressed Out" By: Rex Orange County
FINNEAS | I Lost A Friend
FINNEAS has always been a music artist I have always wanted to just sit down and really listen to. This song is incredible. I sat on my bed listening to "I Lost A Friend" on repeat and I really dissected every line.
“I'd apologize
If I thought it might make a difference
Or make you listen
I'd apologize
If it was black and white, but life is different
Just try to listen to me now”
The pain and regret in this song really resurfaces many memories. Losing a friend because of a mistake, or disagreement, and regretting everything about it makes me think back to many people from my past. In the end, maybe they’re just not meant to stay in your life in the first place. There were some friendships where I was afraid to actually be myself and express my true opinions because I was too scared to lose that friendship. In the end, the lesson I’ve learned is that they weren’t really your friend in the first place. That’s the very sad and painful reality of friendships.
“Like it's been a couple days
Since I slipped and said somethin' sorta like your name
I know I'll be alright
But I'm not tonight
I'll be lying awake
Countin' all the mistakes I've made
Replayin' fights
I know I'll be alright
But I'm not tonight
I'm on the mend, but I lost a friend”
Music Video: "I Lost A Friend" By: FINNEAS
Thanks for tuning into this blog post! Please let me know what you think on all of my social media!
Also, please do not hesitate to use the resources that listed above.
You Are Loved,
Camille
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