Soothe the savage beast

June 4, 2009 10:28 AM

I am looking for other songs about anxiety and panic attacks along the lines of The Fear by Pulp or Overkill by Men At Work.
posted by punkfloyd to media & arts (42 comments total)

Paranoiattack by The Faint
posted by spicynuts at 10:29 AM on June 4

Also, when you say 'along the lines of' what do you mean? For instance, is Billy Joel's "Pressure" along the same lines as your examples or is it too mainstream?
posted by spicynuts at 10:30 AM on June 4

Rockwell - Somebody's Watching Me
posted by Burhanistan at 10:32 AM on June 4 [2 favorites]

spicynuts.... yes I principally mean lyrically..
posted by punkfloyd at 10:39 AM on June 4

DIfferent Genre, Same Subject

Jefferey Lewis - Anxiety Attack
posted by ElmerFishpaw at 10:40 AM on June 4

crazy in the night by kim carnes.
posted by millipede at 10:41 AM on June 4

'Nightmares' by the Clipse, and 'Mind Playing Tricks on Me' by the Geto Boys.
posted by box at 10:42 AM on June 4

Black Flag - Nervous Breakdown
posted by orme at 10:50 AM on June 4 [2 favorites]

The Kinks - "Paranoia"
posted by Joe Beese at 10:53 AM on June 4

Napoleon XIV - "They're Coming To Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!"
posted by Joe Beese at 10:54 AM on June 4

Guns 'N Roses - "Out Ta Get Me"
posted by Joe Beese at 10:55 AM on June 4

how about check this:

Songs About Anxiety
posted by spicynuts at 10:56 AM on June 4

Grand Funk Railroad - Paranoid
posted by saladin at 10:58 AM on June 4

Police - Mother.

Not sure it 100% about anxiety and panic attacks, but it gives me one.
posted by cjorgensen at 11:08 AM on June 4

"Anxiety (Get Nervous)" by Pat Benatar
posted by Oriole Adams at 11:12 AM on June 4

Getting Married Today (Sondheim, Company) about pre-wedding panic. The song starts as a traditional sappy wedding tune, but then has the bride completely meltdown.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 11:14 AM on June 4

Paranoia Man in Cheap Shit Room by The Fall
posted by monospace at 11:19 AM on June 4

Suicidal Tendencies - Institutionalized
posted by ignignokt at 11:24 AM on June 4

Trees & Flowers (youtube, lyrics) is about agoraphobia, if that's close enough.
posted by K.P. at 11:41 AM on June 4

you are looking for:
Gas Panic! by Oasis (Barrowlands version)

What tongueless ghost of sin crept through my curtains?
Sailing on a sea of sweat on a stormy night
I think he don't got a name but I can't be certain
And in me he starts to confide

That my family don't seem so familiar
And my enemies all know my name
And if you hear me tap on your window
Better get on yer knees and pray panic is on the way

My pulse pumps out a beat to the ghost dancer
My eyes are dead and my throat's like a black hole
And if there's a god would he give another chancer
An hour to sing for his soul

Cos my family don't seem so familiar
And my enemies all know my name
And when you hear me tap on yer window
Yer better get on yer knees and pray panic is on the way

Cos my family don't seem so familiar
And my enemies all know my name
And when you hear me tap on yer window
Then you get on your knees and you better pray
Cos my family don't seem so familiar
And my enemies all know my name
And when you hear me tap on your window
Yer better get on yer knees and pray
Panic is on the way
Panic is on the way
posted by mrmarley at 11:41 AM on June 4

Bad Religion - Anxiety. Easy.
posted by hiteleven at 11:42 AM on June 4

Dirty Creature, Split Enz
posted by scody at 11:42 AM on June 4

Oh, and I almost forgot my obligatory Paul Weller example: Frightened.
posted by scody at 11:44 AM on June 4

Private Life by Oingo Boingo

This is my private life
I have no friends to fear
I've got no problems no cross to bear
If you can find me
come and get me out of here
posted by buzzbash at 11:45 AM on June 4

The Worrying Kind by The Ark. Like many Eurovision songs, it's hilarious by dint of being too literal by half. The stage routine is awesome, though. Sample lyrics:

So if you see me somewhere
With that glassy ol' stare
And the panic and fear in my eyes
Don't call for first aid or the fire brigade
Or the local police 'cause they won't care
I'm just a silly old boy with my head in the can
Just a mortal with potential of a superman
But what sense does it make
When I feel like a fake
When I´m saying to you all, be good for goodness sake?

posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 12:13 PM on June 4

Blood Makes Noise by Suzanne Vega
posted by zizzle at 12:13 PM on June 4

'Till My Head Falls Off' by They Might Be Giants. At least, some interpretations of it.

'Spinal Meningitis' by Ween, which also wins the prize for most unnecessary song.
posted by spamguy at 12:14 PM on June 4

Wonderful, panic inducing stuff. Just great!
posted by punkfloyd at 12:15 PM on June 4

Its just your nineteenth nervous breakdown....
posted by jefficator at 12:18 PM on June 4

"Heimdalsgate Like a Promethean Curse" by Of Montreal
posted by oinopaponton at 12:24 PM on June 4 [1 favorite]

I'm So Anxious, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes
posted by bricoleur at 12:36 PM on June 4

I'm sure some Joy Division is in order (New Order?) here...perhaps She's Lost Control.
posted by buzzbash at 12:42 PM on June 4

What is he thinking - the Streets

Caught by the fuzz - Supergrass

Who is he... - Bill Withers

Somebody - Eagles

more generally -
Teethgrinder, Therapy
Mercy Seat
Blister in the sun...
posted by runincircles at 1:18 PM on June 4

Pressure - The Kinks
posted by spicynuts at 1:57 PM on June 4

Darkness by Human League fits the bill perfectly.
posted by Brody's chum at 3:17 PM on June 4

R.E.M.'s version of the Pylon song "Crazy" is a possibility.

And Peter Gabriel's "I Have the Touch", might qualify, especially as it nears the end.
posted by lovermont at 6:16 PM on June 4 [1 favorite]

"Paranoimia" - The Art Of Noise
posted by SisterHavana at 9:47 PM on June 4

Also "Basket Case" by Green Day
posted by SisterHavana at 9:50 PM on June 4

Mother's Little Helper by the Rolling Stones.
posted by bjrn at 12:30 AM on June 5

A second Green Day song - "Panic Song". Written by the groups bassist, it is inspired by his own panic attacks.
posted by Inner Universe at 5:47 AM on June 5

No Control by David Bowie
posted by sjthomp at 9:33 AM on June 6

"I'm So Worried" by Monty Python.
posted by Sys Rq at 4:29 PM on July 7