Songs for jumping off a bridge…

[Lew Bundles]

4. All By Myself — Eric Carmen

This song has been covered numerous times — most notably by Celine Dion in ’96, resulting in a #4 hit on the Hot 100 — and has been used as a point of parody in a number of movies. The crazy thing about it is that those parodies really aren’t exaggerating the song — it’s incredibly morose. At the moment, I can’t think of another genuinely mopey, self-pitying, depressing song that made it this far on the Top 10. (If you can, though, please share with the rest of the class.) Carmen’s vocal, the fact that the drums actually slow down going into the chorus, and the long piano interlude in the middle just make this perfect for a compilation called, I don’t know, Songs for Jumping Off a Bridge. Time-Life, are you guys listening? This is a great idea.

Carmen actually stole from two artists when composing “All By Myself”: the first was himself, lifting the chorus from “Let’s Pretend,” a song he wrote while a member of the Raspberries in 1973. The second was Sergei Rachmaninoff. Carmen fashioned the verse from the melody of “Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Opus 18,” believing (incorrectly) that the song was in the public domain. He didn’t figure out his mistake until after the release, and had to work out a settlement with Rachmaninoff’s estate. All versions of the song now credit both composers.

All these years, I’ve only owned the edited version of the song, which comes in at around 4:20. The original version is a massive 7:13 (what the hell are you trying to do to people, Eric??), although honestly, the piano solo in the middle is quite beautiful. Here’s Carmen performing the song on Burt Sugarman’s The Midnight Special, introduced by Helen Reddy. Enjoy this clip while I quietly cry myself to sleep.

https://popdose.com/chart-attack-32776/

[Helen G]

I can think of a few other songs that might drive me to jumping off of a bridge ..... if only because they were so awful. ("All By Myself" isn't even close to being one of them! 😉 I just hated Melanie's "Brand New Key" back in the day, primarily because of the whiny vocals. Feel free to add your own song suggestions to this compilation "idea"! 

[Dave from Equinox]

While we're on this subject... the GM commercial from Super Bowl XLI:

 

[Raspbernie]

Controversial spot at the time. Lots of negative reactions to the depressed robot scenario.

[Dave from Equinox]

Yeah, I remember that. That commercial was the first thing I thought of when I read the title of this thread.

I can't believe it's been 15 years already.

[LobsterLvr]

Janis Ian's "At Seventeen" is sure to make my bridge jumper top 10 playlist.   It actually hit #3 on the Billboard Charts.  

Dave

 

 

[Raspbernie]

I very much dislike Janis Ian. Fully admit, it might be just me.

[susie b]

I understand the title of the thread is meant in jest, but I have a friend who was actually so distraught with his life that he DID jump off of a bridge a few years ago.

Be careful and mindful of the signs, and if you feel that someone needs help, get it for them.

 

[susie b]

Not sure if he still mans the lines, but I know our pal Harry volunteered on the Suicide Hotline at one time and is a good resource.

My friend was fortunate enough to survive his attempt, but it was a long road back.

[Kirk]

Wow! Harry on the suicide hotline? Good job, Harry.

On second thought, what's he going to do- throw them a beer and sing karaoke to them LOL!

[Matthew C. Clark]

Speaking of Janis Ian, "Fly Too High" (from late 1979 "Night Rains") (also from the 1980 movie "Foxes" starring Jodie Foster) (audio only) 

 

[Matthew C. Clark]

YES "Owner Of A Lonely Heart" (from late 1983 "90125") (complete official music video). Went to # 1 (2 weeks on Billboard Hot 100) in January 21 & 28, 1984 & # 1 (4 weeks on Billboard Mainstream Rock) on November 26 till December 17, 1983.