The Rock & Roll Shrink Ep. 26 - The Siren's Tears - Dark Music for Dark Times

Tonight’s episode is entitled, “The Siren’s Tears - Dark Music for Dark Times.” We will look at the stereotypes and possible misconceptions of the relationship between darker music and mental health. Let’s talk about whether or not it is healthy to focus on such genres while one is in a state of depression or despair. Let’s also talk about the actual science behind music and sound, and what science has to say how sound and lyrics provably can affect us and our mental health.

When we speak of “darker music” tonight, we mean both the sounds and/or the subject/lyrics of the music. Genres such as Goth, Darkwave, Emo; but also songs in many other genres that may have minor chords or other sounds that are the opposite of uplifting or hopeful. Lyrics about painful topics, full of despair. Of loss, betrayal, loss of hope, loss of worth, loss of meaning and purpose, and so on.

Let’s talk about some of the factors that have lead to a strong societal belief that music and other arts can manipulate or even brainwash us into doing or thinking of things we normally might not, like becoming evil or suicidal. There have been legitimate scientific studies about the influence of sound and music, which we will address later in the show.