How to Write a Song About Death | Writing About Loss, Grief, and Mental Health

Today, we're tackling a heavy topic - how to write a song about death, loss, and grief. Songwriting during the grieving process or an existential crisis can be difficult, but hopefully, writing songs will help to give you some comfort in these hard moments.

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♫ Time Stamps:
00:00 - Intro and some real talk
01:05 - Writing About Loss
05:25 - Writing About Mental Health
09:01 - Writing About Your Own Death

♫ Song Examples:
Fire and Rain by James Taylor

Adam's Song by Blink 182

If I Die Young by The Band Perry

The Great Gig in the Sky by Pink Floyd

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#songwriters #songwriting #writesongs

You are loved.

[nosedrip]

I just wrote though not yet recorded a song about my own passing as if it already happened. Nothing dark or gloomy about it but rather describing being free from the body and being surrounded by love. It's an unusual song but is a message that when one crosses over all is more than well for them. I will post it on my channel when it's recorded. It was inspired by years of studying near death experiences.

[Roguevampire]

This was so helpful I lost my puppy a couple months ago

[completesongwriter]

Great video April. My observations. 1. Songwriting can certainly help you heal and process what's happened. 2. Focus on the current emotion and build around that. 3. Go into personal experiences. 4. Write about senses. 5. Mortality is part of life, it needs to be process. 6. Try to find an element of control over one or two things. 7. If you can, allow the lack of control drive the dynamics of the song.

[manonloulergue]

Thank you for this video. Almost three years ago, a teacher that I had passed away from cardiac arrest. It was really shocking for everyone. I accepted that this teacher died, even if I still feel that it's unfair because he was not that old (in his forties), but all the events, the feelings, before and after surrounding this death are still hard to process. I think it would really help to write a song about it.

[kenkreisel]

Great video. I lost my dog to cancer and age 2 years ago and what got me through it was the support of my family, friends and songwriting. I think if you can’t write directly about it, creating a story similar to it or from different perspectives. I used Egyptian mythology instead of directly talking about it. Even though I took down the songs last year out of my own self criticism; it was really cathartic.

[karolinamolska]

Thank you for sharing, April ! It's been helpful to me, even though I'm not a songwriter. Much love to you today, and everyday. I love you !

[mikiamartin]

It is okay to not be okay I had a teacher that passed away today and that was so sad

[LeVinEstBon]

Like literally two seconds ago, I was crying then made up my mind that I was gonna make a song about my loss lol

[jesuslovesyou]

To whoever is reading this, you are so loved and you matter!Whatever you’re going through will get better, and although it may not feel like it at the moment you will be okay!❤️
I just wanted to tell you that Jesus loves you & I hope you have a good day!💕💕💕

[josh_thegaymer]

I’m thinking of writing a song about my Nan I lost