Suicide Is Painless

[low_delta]

I'm learning all kinds of interesting things tonight.

"Suicide Is Painless" is a song written by Johnny Mandel (music) and Mike Altman (lyrics), which is best known for being featured as the theme song for both the movie and TV series M*A*S*H.

Mike Altman is the son of the original film's director, Robert Altman, and was 14 years old when he composed the song's lyrics. On an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in the 1980s, Robert Altman said that his son earned more than a million dollars for co-writing the song while he only made $70,000 for directing the movie.

Marilyn Manson, well known for recording cover versions, did a version for the soundtrack of Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 in 2000. He calls the original "more depressing and offensive than anything I've ever done." (I shrug.)

Comments

It's pretty darned depressing

[mummm.livejournal.com]

A fourteen year old wrote these words? That's amazing!

Through early morning fog I see
visions of the things to be
the pains that are withheld for me
I realize and I can see...

[REFRAIN]:

that suicide is painless
It brings on many changes
and I can take or leave it if I please.
I try to find a way to make
all our little joys relate
without that ever-present hate
but now I know that it's too late, and...

[REFRAIN]

The game of life is hard to play
I'm gonna lose it anyway
The losing card I'll someday lay
so this is all I have to say.

[REFRAIN]

The only way to win is cheat
And lay it down before I'm beat
and to another give my seat
for that's the only painless feat.

[REFRAIN]

The sword of time will pierce our skins
It doesn't hurt when it begins
But as it works its way on in
The pain grows stronger...watch it grin, but...

[REFRAIN]

A brave man once requested me
to answer questions that are key
is it to be or not to be
and I replied 'oh why ask me?'

[REFRAIN]

'Cause suicide is painless
it brings on many changes
and I can take or leave it if I please.
...and you can do the same thing if you please.

Re: It's pretty darned depressing

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

Funny, I was just going to search for and post those lyrics when I heard my e-mail ding. Thanks!

Yeah, that's kind of odd for a 14 yer old to write. But probably more so for it to be published.

Re: It's pretty darned depressing

[mummm.livejournal.com]

I'm a fast Googler! *grin*

[penpusher.livejournal.com]

I guess the lyricist gets paid whether the lyrics get used or not! Ultimately, the tv series would never have used those lyrics, but certainly the theme set the sweet and somber tone for the program.

If you want the track from the film, I, of course, have it.

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

I have the version with the lyrics sung, which is what prompted me to look it up, but thanks for offering. I never saw the movie, so hadn't heard that version before. The Wikipedia article said: The song, as sung by Johnny Mandel, is played during the film's opening credits. Additionally, the movie also features a scene that begins when Walter Koskiusko Waldowski, a dentist nicknamed "Painless Pole", declares his intention to commit suicide, and the song is sung by Ken Prymus (playing Sergeant Seidman) during the suicide scene.

[cynnerth.livejournal.com]

You never saw the movie?! I thought you owned it...or is that me via Donald?

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

Do we have it? It's not mine.

[lonita.livejournal.com]

I'm trying to visualise him being *more* depressing and offensive. Good heavens.

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

But the usual things he does are offensive to others, and not himself. Not only that, I'm sure that statement was calculated for maximum effect, just like everything else he says.