Song Analysis Essay on Runaway Train

Introduction

The rock movement, known as "The Replacements" but preferably and more commonly known as the Soul Asylum played an infectious hit rock song known as "Runaway Train" more than a decade ago. The hit song received an overwhelmingly positive reaction even before it was released officially to the public. "Runaway Train" by Soul Asylum depicts the complexities of depression in life as it takes responsibility for its main theme through its lyrics. The song has carved through history as it continues to echo among masses despite its release over a decade ago. The main reason the song continues to rock is the fact that it was ahead of time thematically. As a result, it is possible to relate with the message conveyed years ago in the present time. The full swing band touched many through its honest message aimed at putting across the impacts, risks, and interventions of depression.

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Depression is a mental condition that adversely affects its victims in their everyday life. The soul Asylum illustrates the life struggles one endures after depression kicks in. The struggles are shown in the second verse where the narrator demonstrates the effects of depression through the lyrics: lack of sleep, self-denial, and the urge to find a companion to communicate with but reluctant to seek advice. The feeling of an overwhelmed troubled life is clearly illustrated in the second verse. The secrets the Soul Asylum talk about are only adding up to the stress of a depression victim. The patient holds on to information that is tormenting due to factors such as fear of being judged or feelings of unworthiness. The promise not to weep is a way of comforting oneself which in most scenarios lasts for a short while before the sadistic feelings begin to set in once more. In this regard, these effects of depression only make things move from worse to worst since no solutions or medications are administered to deal with insomnia and self-denial feelings.

Depression has its risks which include reckless behavior through substance abuse or lonely feelings that have a ripple effect on suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts. Currently, depression is among the major diseases that result in disability or premature deaths currently. The lyrics by the Soul Asylum in the third verse depict these risks. The thought that no one could come to the aid of depressed victim results in lonely feelings; as a result, limited social interactions. Reasons that trigger such loneliness include meditated upon feelings that the problem the depression victim faces are way too deep and no one could be in a positions retrieve and handle them. As a result, the depressed victim resolves to maintain the lonely and depressed status for as long as it takes. This status is attributed to the victim's withdrawal of implementing any self-care interventions. Lack of expert attention at such a critical point of life increases the probabilities of the risks. This can be further demonstrated in the song when the artists attest to the fact that going back to the normal life status is impossible. The depressed victim is on a one-way truck and cannot make any turn.

There is hope for depression recovery as depicted in the fifth verse despite the sadistic feelings in the song characterized by a confusion of the depression victim. The victim at some point was not sure whether there is a way out of the mental state; however, a subtle is offered when thoughts such as not being alone begin to cross the victim's mind. These recovery feelings are illustrated by the thoughts of finding someone who can help the victim regain their smile. Additionally, contemplations on how one arrived at such a point in life are crucial starting points of the recovery process. The contemplations are further illustrated in the sixth verse where the victim realizes he or she is in a life crisis. The reflections reveal to the depression victim that the feelings are unique and no one else has experienced similar feelings and experiences as his or hers. As a result, the thoughts have the power to help one accept the past affairs and begin implementing self-care interventions aimed at treating depression. Depression self-management is an important strategy depression patient should implement to achieve remission.

Conclusion

In conclusion, depression is a mental disorder that requires utmost keen and analysis on the symptoms, effects, and risks to arrive at an appropriate intervention to restore the mental health. In this regard, "Runaway Train" by the Soul Asylum clearly illustrates the effects, risks, and self-management interventions of depression. The song managed to take aback many who heard it since the audience easily related to the personal statements the songwriter used. The message passed by the song is quite disturbing since it involves depression; however, this did not limit the audience's positive reaction. The relation between the message passed to the public, and the reaction is ironic. However, it is an important indication that society is made up of many undulations which if not attentive can result in a mental health condition.