Seasons in the Sun
The unglamorous side of sad songs9 total reviews
Comment from Bill Schott
This is an eye-opening piece about suicide and what little it takes to invoke it, and how little it could also take to prevent it. Observation and interaction might save a life today.
reply by the author on 30-Mar-2025
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This is an eye-opening piece about suicide and what little it takes to invoke it, and how little it could also take to prevent it. Observation and interaction might save a life today.
Comment Written 29-Mar-2025
reply by the author on 30-Mar-2025
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Yes, the city started monitoring the bridges, but the Skytrain was hard to police; it would happen so fast.
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
Sad songs can sometimes push people over the edge, but we cannot be responsible for others in this way as we sing those sad songs and for a moment understand despair, I enjoyed you endearing and honest words in your story here, love Dolly x x x
reply by the author on 29-Mar-2025
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Sad songs can sometimes push people over the edge, but we cannot be responsible for others in this way as we sing those sad songs and for a moment understand despair, I enjoyed you endearing and honest words in your story here, love Dolly x x x
Comment Written 29-Mar-2025
reply by the author on 29-Mar-2025
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Thank you, Dolly. I had a friend who took his life many years ago. It caught me totally by surprise. I had no idea he was in despair. We never know.
Comment from Jesse James Doty
This is as powerful as it was when it was first written. Suicide is no joke, and neither is it a feel good song to sing along with while walking along on a cool summer's day. Reaching out to someone who is crying on the street or a bridge is an important step to saving not only that person's lives but your life as well. I agree wholeheartedly that people deserve saving from their worries and troubles whenever they feel bad give them a lift up and see how it makes a big difference in both of your lives.
Jesse
reply by the author on 29-Mar-2025
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This is as powerful as it was when it was first written. Suicide is no joke, and neither is it a feel good song to sing along with while walking along on a cool summer's day. Reaching out to someone who is crying on the street or a bridge is an important step to saving not only that person's lives but your life as well. I agree wholeheartedly that people deserve saving from their worries and troubles whenever they feel bad give them a lift up and see how it makes a big difference in both of your lives.
Jesse
Comment Written 29-Mar-2025
reply by the author on 29-Mar-2025
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Thanks, Jesse. I'm so glad you liked it.
Comment from barbara.wilkey
But, either as a close friend, or a passing stranger, we may be their only savior from themselves. (AMEN!!!!)
Yes, we may be that one person who can help. Thank you for sharing this post and message with us. It's an important message we should all read.
The next day I talked about it with my contact in public relations. (The following day... According to my editor is had to deal with the definition of the words.)
Her response, "it's a sad fact." (It's)
reply by the author on 29-Mar-2025
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But, either as a close friend, or a passing stranger, we may be their only savior from themselves. (AMEN!!!!)
Yes, we may be that one person who can help. Thank you for sharing this post and message with us. It's an important message we should all read.
The next day I talked about it with my contact in public relations. (The following day... According to my editor is had to deal with the definition of the words.)
Her response, "it's a sad fact." (It's)
Comment Written 29-Mar-2025
reply by the author on 29-Mar-2025
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Thanks, barbara.wilkey for reading. Will look at that wording.
Comment from Harambe iz ur Daddy
I know you wrote this a while ago but I was curious to see a bit of what you'd been writing earlier, and randomly clicked this one, which just so happened to refer to the previous piece of yours that I'd reviewed.
I've been working on a song with a similar topic, about drug overdose deaths in the US. I checked out both the Terry Jacks and Westlife recordings of the song mentioned in your title, and now understand what you're referring to. Yes, unfortunately the best songs are usually written from experience rather than the imagination. Well now we have AI wading into the mix and some of the sketches it's coming out with are dangerously effective, perhaps enough to drive more songwriters to suicide.
Two tiny typos:
His cel buzzed <= cell
suddenly hung himself. <= technically, it's "hanged"
Thanks for the read,
🦍
reply by the author on 21-Mar-2025
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I know you wrote this a while ago but I was curious to see a bit of what you'd been writing earlier, and randomly clicked this one, which just so happened to refer to the previous piece of yours that I'd reviewed.
I've been working on a song with a similar topic, about drug overdose deaths in the US. I checked out both the Terry Jacks and Westlife recordings of the song mentioned in your title, and now understand what you're referring to. Yes, unfortunately the best songs are usually written from experience rather than the imagination. Well now we have AI wading into the mix and some of the sketches it's coming out with are dangerously effective, perhaps enough to drive more songwriters to suicide.
Two tiny typos:
His cel buzzed <= cell
suddenly hung himself. <= technically, it's "hanged"
Thanks for the read,
🦍
Comment Written 21-Mar-2025
reply by the author on 21-Mar-2025
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Thank you, Harambe. I thought I'd use your first name to save time. :>)
If AI ever tries to reach our level of imagination and creativity with soulless pieces of yes-no switches, that's when it's doomed. Yes, it may replace some functions, but it will never replace the arts; we will still want live performances, real singing instrumental groups, plays, and live entertainment. Some will probably try, but creativity is still limited to human feelings and experience. Anything else is just mimicry.
Can you imagine an AI file writing a love song about another computer? Now, there's a fun storyline. Try it, dude; It'll be a comical hit. If it is, don't forget me.
Comment from Lucy de Welles
Hi Brad,
This is an interesting, well-constructed call to action. Good Samaritan. A good reminder for us all to be watchful, and ready to help. Glad you wrote it.
(that) somebody down the line
Her response? "It's a sad fact."
so distraught(,) (that) they might make a decision
an inner demon so long(,) (that) they finally end it
about a man who was walking while crying.
someone in public who is under extreme stress.
either way, they're crying out.
The last two sentences could use a re-write :). Can't make heads of tails of them.
The photo packs a punch!
Have a great evening.
Lucy
reply by the author on 02-Nov-2020
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Hi Brad,
This is an interesting, well-constructed call to action. Good Samaritan. A good reminder for us all to be watchful, and ready to help. Glad you wrote it.
(that) somebody down the line
Her response? "It's a sad fact."
so distraught(,) (that) they might make a decision
an inner demon so long(,) (that) they finally end it
about a man who was walking while crying.
someone in public who is under extreme stress.
either way, they're crying out.
The last two sentences could use a re-write :). Can't make heads of tails of them.
The photo packs a punch!
Have a great evening.
Lucy
Comment Written 01-Nov-2020
reply by the author on 02-Nov-2020
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Hi Lucy, you found the big flaw. I had poured over this copy for hours to get it perfect. But I was so eager to post, I didn't even reread the last para. Many Thanks. Here's the rewrite, hopefully this makes more sense.
There will be those exceptional times in our lives when we are confronted with someone teetering on the edge of destruction. But, whether as a close friend, or a passing stranger, we may be their only savior from themselves.
Comment from Gypsymooncat
I, too, have been touched by suicide more than once. One was a friend; the other, my cousin.
I found your story/essay on this topic to be very easily read and taken on board. I smile at strangers, try to help little old ladies with their groceries, or just try to say something nice to someone who appears upset. We don't know what effect that actually has, but as you say here, a smile or a kind gesture can save a life.
Thanks for sharing something that touches on a very sensitive subject, but does so in an objective way, while also injecting a level of emotion that most of us can relate to. Suicide is one of those things that often has no rhyme or reason, except for the one whose life gets snuffed out.
I'm also sorry for your own loss. It's a shock; a very sad, sobering shock to lose someone to suicide.
reply by the author on 01-Nov-2020
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I, too, have been touched by suicide more than once. One was a friend; the other, my cousin.
I found your story/essay on this topic to be very easily read and taken on board. I smile at strangers, try to help little old ladies with their groceries, or just try to say something nice to someone who appears upset. We don't know what effect that actually has, but as you say here, a smile or a kind gesture can save a life.
Thanks for sharing something that touches on a very sensitive subject, but does so in an objective way, while also injecting a level of emotion that most of us can relate to. Suicide is one of those things that often has no rhyme or reason, except for the one whose life gets snuffed out.
I'm also sorry for your own loss. It's a shock; a very sad, sobering shock to lose someone to suicide.
Comment Written 01-Nov-2020
reply by the author on 01-Nov-2020
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Many thanks Gypsy. Yes, I have 3 reviews now, all have experienced a loss. It's a shocker, it's so hard to understand. Sorry for your loss as well. Thank you again.
Comment from equestrik
This is a good write on an extremely important and difficult topic. I had a friend once ask me id I would have her cats put down as she was planning suicide. I refused and told her she would have to do it herself. She is alive today and has been a very good teacher for over 30 years. My youngest son's father shot and killed himself despite many, many interventions. It is heart breaking.
reply by the author on 01-Nov-2020
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This is a good write on an extremely important and difficult topic. I had a friend once ask me id I would have her cats put down as she was planning suicide. I refused and told her she would have to do it herself. She is alive today and has been a very good teacher for over 30 years. My youngest son's father shot and killed himself despite many, many interventions. It is heart breaking.
Comment Written 01-Nov-2020
reply by the author on 01-Nov-2020
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Thanks equestrik. What a shocker on your past family. But so rewarding to hear of your friend. Looks like you're tough love worked. Here she is 30 years later. That must be comforting.
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Yes, it is. Thank you
Comment from Y. M. Roger
Should kind of be one of items on a list of requirements of a good friend, yeah? To catch you before you fall, if a catch is possible... I'm not sure today's youth see friendship the same... a different world when most of your 'contact' is 'online'... A very well-written reflection here, Brad -- thanx for sharing and making some take another look at things... :)
And, yes, I believe the shadow has touched each of us - and it is the strings that hold us back like children or friends, isn't it?
reply by the author on 01-Nov-2020
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Should kind of be one of items on a list of requirements of a good friend, yeah? To catch you before you fall, if a catch is possible... I'm not sure today's youth see friendship the same... a different world when most of your 'contact' is 'online'... A very well-written reflection here, Brad -- thanx for sharing and making some take another look at things... :)
And, yes, I believe the shadow has touched each of us - and it is the strings that hold us back like children or friends, isn't it?
Comment Written 01-Nov-2020
reply by the author on 01-Nov-2020
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Hi YM. Thank you. You are so right. Friends, & family, that's the glue that bonds and holds. I didn't realize how much this topic has touched people, many reviews. Yes, the chat lines not only don't help, they add to the problem, they're cold and unfeeling.
