By Jason Barker
1-800-273-8255 is a song made by Logic to provide awareness of suicide prevention. The name of the song is the phone number for the American National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The song was released in April of 2017. The song was sung by 3 artists Logic, Alessia Cara, and Khalid. According to CNN, within the first 34 days of the release of the song, there was a 5.5% reduction in suicide of 10–19-year-olds with a 50% increase in calls to the NSPL. 1-800-273-8255 was a song that was meant to reach out to those who feel alone, and that help is always available. Any problem that there may be, it isn’t something to end your life over. By providing the phone number of the NSPL.
Logic is an artist who is not afraid to speak about injustices, racial problems, and other social issues in the world. He himself has opened up to the world about his crippling depression and anxiety. While making this record he wanted to not make it just because. There had to be something that resonates with the artist to reach out to those who truly need it. Having an issue that both parties have makes it easier to connect compared to those who don’t truly go through the struggle. With this power comes great responsibility. Which is why the lyrics hit so hard to the listener. The chorus starts with “I don’t wanna be alive, I don’t wanna be alive. I just wanna die today, I just wanna die.” Not wanting to sugar coat this song the chorus comes off strong on the instant thoughts of suicide.
Transitioning into the 1st verse he goes on telling the story on what this person is going through. Talking down on their life. Their life doesn’t mean anything to anyone due to the fact no one is calling, cares what they feel, or what there up to. They are unable to show their feelings as no one else will care. “I know I’m hurting deep down but can’t show it.” For those who do show what they going through, no one cares enough to care. They don’t have someone to go to. This song helps gives that person to talk to. To help change things. The 2nd chorus goes after the previous pre-chorus plays again. This time it is “I want you to be alive, I want you to be alive. You don’t gotta die today, you don’t gotta die. I want you to be alive, I want you to be alive. You don’t gotta die, now let me tell you why.” This is the operator replying back to the caller. We see this person being supportive showing there is someone that does care. This ties back into the problems the caller talks about. This chorus leads into Alessia Cara. Cara’s brings an inspiring verse to the song. Cara brings to light being positive even during the rough times. “It’s holding on, though the road’s long, seeing light in the darkest things. You can look at the reflection of a mirror, see yourself and be happy with who you are. All you need is yourself and it shouldn’t matter what others think of you. “And when you stare at your reflection, finally knowing it is I know that you’ll thank God you did.”
Entering verse 3 we see this supportive role again with Logic uplifting the caller by relating saying “I know where you been, where you are, where you goin. I know you’re the reason I believe in life.” This is letting the caller know they know what they are going through. This stage of their life is not permanent. Things will move on and get better. In an interview Logic says he would tweet “What’s positive in your life today?” The purpose of this was to have people discover that no matter what you are going through the simple things we do we should be thankful. The little things such as eating, walking, and breathing. This helps bring the line “What’s the day without a little night. I’m just tryna shed a little light.” They must live and this leads to the pre-chorus again.
The final chorus of the song now switches up. It follows as “I finally wanna be alive, I finally wanna be alive. I don’t wanna die today, I don’t wanna die. I finally wanna be alive, I finally wanna be alive. I don’t wanna die, I don’t wanna die.” This is a comparison of the previous chorus which the caller didn’t want to live anymore. This shows how problems can be solved if we have someone to talk to. Someone that can relate to what we are going through, supportive, and someone that will listen. This chorus is powerful as it shows someone who gotten past their suicidal thoughts.
Finally, to end the song we see Khalid who also plays the caller. The caller seems to have a different perspective on his suicidal thoughts in which he wants to conquer. This doesn’t mean the problems go away however, he will keep on pushing forward . “The lane I travel feels alone. But I’m moving ‘til my legs give out. And I see my tears melt in the snow.” With this new perspective there is no longer a desire to commit suicide. This shows that this call helped. “But I don’t wanna cry, I don’t wanna cry anymore. I wanna feel alive, I don’t even wanna die anymore. Oh, I don’t wanna, I don’t wanna, I don’t even wanna die anymore. A successful story of someone who is at rock bottom on the verge of suicide who sees a new perspective of life to feel wanted in the world.
Logic, Cara, and Khalid performed this song at the MTV video music awards. This allowed the artist to spread his message with the world watching. The VMA is a huge award show for the best artists to receive awards for their music. To perform this song was huge for Logic has millions of eyes got to view this performance. The performance started with Logic coming to stage to sing his chorus and verse having the crowd sing along with at parts such as “I want you to be alive.” Cara proceeds to sing her part. Once Logic comes back to sing the 2nd chorus around the now lit stage there are people with the NSPL phone number on the front of their shirt and “You Are Not Alone” on the back who have overcome suicide or had those close to them who have committed suicide. As they join Logic on stage it those with the shirts become emotional along with the crowd.
After the song is over Logic understands the platform, he has been given. He proceeds to make a speech. Logic proceeds to talk about how mental health is a subject that people don’t want to talk about. This is for an overall war fighting for everyone’s equality. No matter what race, color, religion, or background everyone is equal even though we aren’t treated as so. A big group hug then forms on stage with those who have fought suicidal battles. This was a perfect performance as hours after the show there was a 50% increase in calls to the NSPL. This shows how huge platforms can affect and move society. In 2018, a time when mental awareness had begun to be growing, this was a perfect time to show this to the world. With interviews of him showing what he has gone through relate to his message in 1-800-273-8255.
There is also a music video that goes with 1-800-273-8255 that is just as important. The music video opens about a young teenager who we see start to catch feelings for another male teenager. His dad is showing support trying to help with his mental wellness. The teenager spends the night at his lover’s place where his sexuality is exposed to his partners dad and potential school as the video shows him opening his locker to a penis. We see a supportive track coach who recognizes the struggle he is going through. The teenager with a gun in hand is on the verge of suicide when he decides to call a number which is the NSPL. The music video shines light on the LGTBG+ community on showing the struggles on how difficult it is to be comfortable with their sexuality with society. This puts pressure on you and affects your mental health. Supporting teenagers is something that is needed for people affected by mental health. The ending is a powerful message as it shows a happy ending of the teenager, and his partner are married with the parents there through. This shows that there is hope no matter how bad it gets. There are brighter days through every dark night.
1-800-273-8255 is a song that has reached out and helped many of those struggling with their mental health. Through the statistics of the NSPL we can see this song has had a positive impact on the lives and many. The song, music video, and performance at the MTV VMA’s as a combined collection has touched on issues of sexuality, mental health, equality, support, and suicide prevention. This was released during a period where mental health was becoming a more common talking subject within our world. With the performance being the “moment” it is one of the pivotal pieces of letting mental health be ok to talk about. Being a person is has suffered with mental health, it helps make the message clear to understand. Its all about who can relate and what they will do to find the positivity and keep fighting for better days.
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