Mental Illness In The Who's Song Runaway, By Bobby

2020 Words9 Pages

Introduction Depression and mental illness to this day is a stigmatized and controversial topic. Many people are afraid to discuss it or to admit that they live with it. Due to the taboo treatment of mental illness, it discourages open honesty to those affected by it. However, there are certain people who choose to speak up and discuss it, and many examples of these discussions are seen in music. Two artists that have addressed their personal struggles in their music include British classic rock band, The Who, and South Korean hip-hop artist, Bobby. These struggles are particularly seen in The Who’s song “Behind Blue Eyes,” from their album, Who’s Next (1971), and Bobby’s song “Runaway” from his album, Love and Fall (2017). “Behind Blue Eyes” discusses emotional isolation and loneliness which is caused by the belief that no one understands one’s …show more content…

A major portion of the song is set in a minor key and an acoustic guitar drives its emotional appeal by alternating from fingerpicking to emphasized, strong strumming to match the content of the lyrics. “Runaway” focuses on one reaching an emotional and mental breaking point that makes them want to give up. The song uses its fast-paced tempo and strong beat to express the increasing frustration of the narrator and also uses thin layered sections of instrumentation for lyrical emphasis. Both songs discuss the narrator’s mental illness and depressive struggles but also include elements of hope. As expressed in the songs, those who have a mental illness, particularly depression, can find hope for wellness and happiness by experiencing a moment of self-realization and deciding to reach out for help in order to start the pathway of treatment and