Webster's Dictionary defines the word Insane to mean mentally disordered: exhibiting insanity.
"The statistics on sanity are that one out of every four Americans is suffering from some sort of mental illness. Think of three of your best friends, if they're o.k., then it's you." ~ Rita Mae Brown
Feeling as though you'd like to pull the shades and shroud yourself in black? Are those voices arguing amongst themselves and ignoring your cries to halt? It's totally understandable. The world has seemingly gone off the deep end. Every where you turn, sanity has decided to run amuck and departed for an extended vacation. Faceless people pass you by, their eyes searching the floor for answers and their minds apparently devoid of coherent thought. Alas, groping for solutions and lost in a faraway time.
::sigh:: We've finally reached that bridge to no where.
But, have no fear, there's still the magic of music therapy. Music that will put a psychotic spin on reality for your listening enjoyment. Tunes that allow us to heal through lyrics that paint a colorful and robust picture of our lunacy.
Here are 15 songs that remind us, insanity is not so bad, it's downright therapeutic. Enjoy.
Queen: I'm Going Slightly Mad
The legendary Freddie Mercury wrote "I'm going slightly Mad" right before his untimely death while living in London. The video was a satirical take on one's giddy free fall into final madness. Elton John, a long time friend, made a brief appearance in the video playing, of all things, a monkey.
The Who: Behind Blue Eyes
Pete Townsend wrote "Behind Blue Eyes" after supposedly being tempted by an over-zealous fan, but chose to deny the advances. "How lonely it is to be powerful." The song seems to elude to the insanity fame brings, along with deep loneliness and the torturous feelings of being misunderstood.
Queen: Under Pressure
Queen's Freddie Mercury wrote most of "Under Pressure", although the whole band contributed in some part. It was the first collaboration Queen participated in and it was with the incomparable David Bowie. A song about the enormity of dealing with life's unavoidable pressures and how sometimes we succumb to it's hostile insanity. "Under Pressure" was also featured in the documentary "Maxed Out", which gives a scary overview of our consumer credit crunch and how elected politicians contribute to the funding of these companies and pocket major profits.
Michael and Janet Jackson: Scream
Janet Jackson offered her star power and support to her famous big brother Michael in an extravagant and high-priced MTV video. Scream was released in 1995 and lyrically responds to relentless media coverage of Michael Jackson's infamous child molestation trial. Although highly controversial and rarely given airplay, "Scream" can be attached to any current celebrity undergoing the paparazzi frenzy.
The Ramones: I Wanna Be Sedated
Joey Ramone wrote a song called "I wanna be sedated" after a nasty accident resulting in burns from extremely hot water, and having to be rushed to the hospital. The Ramones were hardcore, undeniably original and one of the most underrated bands of all time. The song sums up hopeless boredom of anysmalltown, USA and the excruciating need to be relieved with sedation.
Pink Floyd: Comfortably Numb
Pink Floyd's, Roger Waters wrote the lyrics for this masterpiece entitled "Comfortably Numb" about an unfortunate bout with hepatitis. In his euphoric state of delirium, Waters was given enough drugs to endure this crazed state comfortably numb.
Ozzy Osbourne: Crazy Train
Can't we all just get along? The question of the millennium summed up in six words.... Anger and Religion do not mix. "Crazy Train" showcases the brilliant talent of the late Randy Rhodes, former creator of Quiet Riot fame. The powerhouse guitar solo makes "Crazy Train" exceptionally unique and portrays "crazy" on a whole new level.
Billy Joel: You May be Right
Released in 1980. In "You May be Right" Billy Joel acknowledges the fact that he is indeed crazy "thank you very much" and eliminating all suspicion. The video to this song is set in a glass house giving way to rampant hypocrisy and sending the message loud and clear that "those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones."
The Kinks: Acute Schizophrenia Paranoia Blues
Ray Davies and The Kinks were one of the most influential bands to come out of England, perhaps not as successful as the Beatles or the Rolling Stones, but incredibly inspiring in their own right. "Acute Schizophrenia Blues" is witty and with lines like "I'm too terrified to walk out my front door. They're demonstrating outside, I think they're gonna start the third world war. And I've been to my local head shrinker, to help classify my disease. He said it's one of the many cases of acute schizophrenia he sees." nails psychosis rather charmingly.
