The song has also been covered by Marilyn Manson, among others.
Suicide Is Painless
Manic Street Preachers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Visions of the things to be
The pains that are withheld for me
I realise that I can see
That suicide is painless
It brings on many changes
And I can take or leave them if I please
The game of life is hard to play
I'm gonna lose it anyway
The losing card of some delay
So this is all I have to say
That suicide is painless
It brings on many changes
And I can take or leave them if I please
The sword of time will pierce our skin
It doesn't hurt when it begins
But as it works its way on in
The pain grows stronger watch I bring
That suicide is painless
It brings on many changes
And I can take or leave them if I please
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
That suicide is painless
It brings on many changes
And you can do the same thing if you please
The lyrics to "Suicide Is Painless" by Manic Street Preachers are a poignant and thought-provoking reflection on life, death, and the struggles that many people face. The song starts with the singer looking out into the early morning fog and seeing visions of what's to come. He realizes that there are pains that are yet to be revealed to him, but he can still see that suicide is an option that brings many changes. He can take or leave them if he chooses to.
As the song progresses, the singer acknowledges that life is hard to play and that he's going to lose anyway. The losing card is something he's been dealt, so he says that suicide is his only option. The sword of time, which refers to the unstoppable passage of time, will eventually pierce our skin, and the pain grows stronger as we watch it happen.
Finally, the song ends with a reference to Shakespeare's Hamlet, in which a brave man requests the answer to the question of whether it's better to live or die. The singer replies that suicide is an option that brings about many changes, and anyone can choose to do it if they please.
Overall, the song is a bleak but honest examination of the human experience and how we all struggle with the inevitability of death. It's a reminder that suicide is never the answer, but it's also a call to empathy and understanding for those who are suffering.
Line by Line Meaning
Through early morning fog I see
In the midst of confusion and uncertainty, I perceive what lies ahead.
Visions of the things to be
I have a premonition of the things that may happen in the future.
The pains that are withheld for me
I am aware of the sufferings that may transpire in my life.
I realise that I can see
I am aware of my own perception and the freedom that it brings.
That suicide is painless
Committing suicide seems like an easy way out of a problem, but it leads to unexpected consequences.
It brings on many changes
It alters the course of events and affects the lives of many people.
And I can take or leave them if I please
I have the choice of either facing the consequences or escaping them through suicide.
The game of life is hard to play
Living life is a difficult challenge.
I'm gonna lose it anyway
I am destined to fail at life, regardless of my efforts.
The losing card of some delay
My defeat is simply a matter of time.
So this is all I have to say
These are my final words on the matter.
The sword of time will pierce our skin
The passage of time inevitably ages us and brings us closer to death.
It doesn't hurt when it begins
We are unaware of the gradual process that leads to our demise.
But as it works its way on in
As we approach death, the pain becomes more intense.
The pain grows stronger watch I bring
I will experience severe suffering as I age and approach death.
A brave man once requested me
Someone once asked me a difficult question.
To answer questions that are key
To provide meaningful answers to important questions about life and death.
Is it to be or not to be
Is it better to live or to die?
And I replied oh why ask me
I do not have the answer to this fundamental question, so why ask me?
And you can do the same thing if you please
You also have the choice of ending your life, but it will not necessarily solve your problems.
Contributed by Lucy P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Patrick Stocks
Through early morning fog I see
Visions of the things to be
The pains that are withheld for me
I realise that I can see
That suicide is painless
It brings so many changes
And I can take or leave them if I please
The game of life is hard to play
I'm gonna lose it anyway
The losing card of some delay
So this is all I have to say
That suicide is painless
It brings so many changes
And I can take or leave them if I please
The sword of time will pierce our skin
It doesn't hurt when it begins
But as it works its way on in
The pain grows stronger watch I bring
That suicide is painless
It brings so many changes
And I can take or leave them if I please
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
That suicide is painless
It brings so many changes
And I can take or leave them if I please
KONG
Suicide Is Painless
Johnny Mandel
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
That suicide is painless
It brings on many changes
And I can take or leave it if I please
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
Suicide is painless (suicide)
It brings on many changes (changes)
And I can take or leave it if I please
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
Suicide is painless
It brings on many changes
And I can take or leave it if I please
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?
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
D. Peri
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
That suicide is painless
It brings on many changes
I can take or leave it if I please
That game of life is hard to play
I'm gonna lose it anyway
The losing card of some delay
So this is all I have to say
That suicide is painless
It brings on many changes
I can take or leave it if I please
The sword of time will pierce our skin
It doesn't hurt when it begins
But as it works its way on in
The pain grows stronger, watch it burn
That suicide is painless
It brings on many changes
And I can take or leave it if I please
A brave man once requested me
To answer questions that are key
Is it…
donna
Big love to all the manics fans who went through some of the worst times of their lives listening to these manics songs but got through the other side and are listening now, I'm one of them ❤️
El Cabre
It's not their song
donna
@El Cabre I'm aware!
Angelina Sheoraj
I'm here even though I mostly don't want to be but I have to
donna
@Angelina Sheoraj hugs ♥️
Mc Carthy
You are awesome. I've got a rose with the words 'I Hurt Myself To Get Pain Out' sort of cut out tattooed on my calf... Suffice to say Manics have got me through over 20 years of things. ♥ And ☀ from 🇮🇪
Spartacus45
An all time classic. One of the best bands out of Wales for years. God bless you Richey where ever you are.🙏
Locrytham
The taping, lyrics, Richey...watching this is sad
Locrytham
Filming this video, the lyrics, Richey...this is a hard one to watch
Jokers Wilde
His singing is more painfully nostalgic than the original. Given the nature of the lyrics he is spot on.