Mental illness is not an easy subject to discuss, whether it’s between friends or via one’s art form of choice. But just because it’s a hard thing to address doesn’t mean that musicians shouldn’t explore it, and that’s precisely what the following four famous rock stars did with their own material. Let’s look at just a few rock musicians who talked about mental illness in their music! Some of these rock stars might make you feel seen.
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1. Soundgarden/Chris Cornell
The late great Chris Cornell wasn’t afraid to talk about his demons in his music, both as a solo artist and with grunge outfit Soundgarden. Few musicians in rock history have been able to grapple with their mental health struggles through song quite like him. And his devastatingly beautiful voice only made his work more arresting.
“The Day I Tried To Live” is just one of many songs that Cornell wrote about making it out alive despite one’s obstacles. It’s optimistic, which is inspiring, considering how rough of a time Cornell had when he was alive.
2. Elliott Smith
Elliott Smith was more or less the indie rock king of exploring mental illness in music. “Division Day” is one song that has become a favorite among his fans, namely for how directly it explores depression and self-harm. “Miss Misery”, though, is his most direct song about his personal mental health struggles. Much of his work is haunted by his death (allegedly) at his own hand, but “Miss Misery” is particularly hard to listen to now.
3. Paramore/Hayley Williams
When one thinks of pop-punk outfit Paramore, one doesn’t usually think of mental illness or mental health struggles. However, Hayley Williams actually wrote quite a bit of work about mental health struggles and the optimism one must have to face those struggles. “Fake Happy” is a personal favorite that feels like an anthem for misunderstood young women and how unfair it is to have to put on a smiling face when you’re feeling terrible.
4. Green Day/Billie Joe Armstrong
Nobody talked about mental illness in rock music quite like Billie Joe Armstrong did in Green Day during their heyday. It’s not very punk rock to hide your feelings, after all.
In the early years of the band, much of their music was happy-go-lucky stoner-punk fodder. However, “Basket Case” got a little more real. It’s a pop-punk favorite for a reason, namely because so many listeners related to Armstrong’s mental health struggles and anxiety.
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