Alanis Morissette – “Rest” – Rest
Yes, Alanis Morissette is back with another great song, a song she wrote for #MentalHealthAction Day…
“I’m sharing a song entitled “Rest” written specifically about those of us who struggle with depression and anxiety, isolation, suicidal ideation and the profound despair that mental illness can plunge us into. go to http://MentalHealthIsHealth.us to learn how you can help support yourself and others today & every day.”
Morissette is the best person to sing a song about the struggle with depression and such. Her songs have always about the inner turmoil that we, as humans, always are fighting. Many people misunderstand Morissette and call her the Queen of Sad, but she isn’t. Her music, for me, has often gotten me through many a bad day. I love how her lyrics have never been written in perfect rhymes, but more as stream-of-consciousness, as if she were the best of Virginia Wolfe put to music. The lyrics for “Rest” are very powerful (see below), and her voice has never been better. She is touring with Garbage and Liz Phair. If you have never seen Morissette live, you really need to do so. I was in the second row for one show, and I share, Morissette sang directly to me. She is that in touch with her fans.
LYRICS
All these relief-givers
The needle sure revs in the red
Chemicals like hugs from inside
they feel like my best friend
You think me a coward
but I am a warrior
With many voices in my head
When I looked around and I reached out
I saw no alternative God rest,
God rest our souls
And this substance is the only comfort
I know
He’s been pushing for a while
Can we cut this man some slack
Let him lie down, let him lie down
We are a country desperate for the embryonic
I’m cold and I’m hungry
and I yearn for a hand on my forehead
You think it’s a walk in the park and it’s easy “She’s got it as good as it gets”
This misunderstanding’s the line
between living or being the walking dead And God rest, please rest our souls
And the more I take, the less comfort I know She’s been pushing for a while
Can we cut this woman slack
Let her lie down, let her lie down
The more that you hurl at me
The more I will curl up in my bed
where’s the humanity?
Aren’t we all hovering around the same end? Door number 1, 2 and 3 have been promises that aren’t real enough to be kept
You wish me a speedy recovery
But when you turn I plumb the depths
And God rest, God please rest our souls
This is the surest exit I have known
We’ve been hurting for a while
Can we cut ourselves some slack
Let us lie down, let us lie down
Let us lie down, let me lie down