Songs About Health, or Lack Thereof, by Pink Floyd, Siouxsie and the Banshees, and Nirvana

by Liz Publika

Shine On You Crazy Diamond (1975) by Pink Floyd

On Schizophrenia

“Shine On You Crazy Diamond” is a nine-part composition by English rock band Pink Floyd, released in 1975 on their album Wish You Were Here. The piece was written by David Gilmour, Roger Waters, and Richard Wright and first performed during the band’s 1974 French tour. It was conceived as a tribute to Syd Barrett, a founding member of Pink Floyd who left the group in 1968 after struggling with deteriorating mental health and substance-related issues.

The song frames the album, appearing at both the beginning and end in two separate segments, and is notable for its extended instrumental sections and emotionally resonant themes. Its lyrics and musical tone reflect admiration for Barrett’s early brilliance and a poignant acknowledgment of his absence. Shine On You Crazy Diamond is considered one of Pink Floyd’s most enduring and emotionally powerful works, blending progressive rock soundscapes with a deeply personal homage to a lost creative force.

Christine (1980) by Siouxsie and the Banshees

On Dissociative Identity Disorder

“Christine” is a 1980 single by English post‑punk band Siouxsie and the Banshees, written by Siouxsie Sioux and Steven Severin and released as the second single from their third album, Kaleidoscope. The track marked a shift in the band’s sound, featuring a distinctive acoustic guitar riff, organ elements, and a prominent flanging effect that helped define its eerie, hypnotic atmosphere. Musically and lyrically, the song draws inspiration from The Three Faces of Eve, a book and film about Christine Sizemore, a woman with dissociative identity disorder. Its lyrics sketch a figure who shifts through multiple personalities—nicknamed in the song as the “strawberry girl” and “banana split lady” — evoking fragmentation and instability of identity. Released on May 30, 1980, “Christine” reached the UK Singles Chart and is often noted for its haunting melody and thoughtful allusion to complex psychological themes, pairing post‑punk sonics with narrative intrigue.

Pennyroyal Tea (1993) by Nirvana

On Clinical Depression

“Pennyroyal Tea” is a 1993 song by Nirvana, written by Kurt Cobain and featured on their third album, In Utero. While the title references the pennyroyal plant, historically associated with traditional medicine, the heart of the song lies in Cobain’s expression of severe depression and emotional exhaustion. Its lyrics convey feelings of despair, self-doubt, and the weight of personal suffering, reflecting Cobain’s own struggles with chronic depression, physical illness, and public pressure. Musically, the track blends soft, introspective verses with louder, anguished choruses, creating a haunting dynamic that mirrors the turmoil described in the lyrics. Though it was scheduled for single release in 1994, the release was cancelled after Cobain’s death, adding to the song’s association with tragedy. “Pennyroyal Tea” endures as a raw and intimate portrayal of mental health struggles, capturing the vulnerability and isolation of living with severe depression.

Note* Image for the article cover is in the Public Domain via Pexels.com.