Existential Playlist?

Inspired by BigBrotherDarkness' rather good Existential movie list?

"Without music, life would be a mistake" -Friedrich Nietzsche

Throw together a playlist of your favourite existential music; songs that speak to your own philosophy and describe your own existential outlook.
Share the artists, albums and lyrics that helped you discover the meaning of yourself, and the significance in your life, or just a track or few you think are cool.


“Time is too large, it can’t be filled up. Everything you plunge into it is stretched and disintegrates”
-Jean-Paul Sartre



“A weird time in which we are alive. We can travel anywhere we want, even to other planets. And for what? To sit day after day, declining in morale and hope”
-Philip K. Dick



"The most terrifying fact about the universe is not that it is hostile but that it is indifferent"
-Stanley Kubrick



"There's nothing like impending death to rouse you from existential boredom"
-Roger Ebert



“In life man commits himself and draws his own portrait, outside of which there is nothing”
-Jean-Paul Sartre



"The risk in solitude, is always of losing oneself"
-Hannah Arendt



"Remember, you’re not alone, you’ve no right to Inflict the sight of your fear on me"
-Jean-Paul Sartre



“There is no need for red-hot pokers; hell is other people”
-Jean-Paul Sartre



"The only journey is the one within"
-Rainer Maria Rilke



"All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better"
-Ralph Waldo Emerson



“I think, truthfully, you fill your day most of the time by being in the washing machine of your own mind, thinking: What’s this? When does it stop? Am I enjoying it? I don’t know. Oh it’s time to go to sleep. I can’t, I’m worried.”
-Dylan Moran



“The inherent hypocrisy of organised religion undermines its own definition”
-Søren Kierkegaard



“The end of a melody is not its goal: but nonetheless, had the melody not reached its end it would not have reached its goal either. A parable.”
-Friedrich Nietzsche

a reply to: spygeek

"We need some discipline in here."

-Genesis P. Orridge

a reply to: spygeek
Some of the songs I'd post might get pissed off remarks from members...I'll add some. Not much of my core beliefs, but wait a moment.
The first one should be well received. (Lyrics for each song in the description)

This will be poorly received (anti-human)

This will be poorly received

Should be well received, rather good lyrics.

Very poetic, read the words in description, beautiful. Individuality

Crap! On dumb smart phone. No u-tube vid.

My nominee, Tool Prison Sex which is messed up in so many ways.

Religon, death wish, propogation of the problem 2 the next gen, abuse, power, being "alive" while being dead... messed up.

originally posted by: TEOTWAWKIAIFF
Crap! On dumb smart phone. No u-tube vid.

My nominee, Tool Prison Sex which is messed up in so many ways.

Religon, death wish, propogation of the problem 2 the next gen, abuse, power, being "alive" while being dead... messed up.

here you go:
[warning: disturbing lyrics and imagery]


The song is about child abuse, not sure if it qualifies as "existential", but it certainly is messed up in so many ways.. Perhaps this track would be more appropriate if you're coming from the "using sexuality to counter existential dread" angle?:




I'm detecting more than a hint of a nihilism vein in many of the contributions here.. You guys know that existentialism is not nihilist by definition, right? It's about an exuberance at the joyous realisation that your life is yours to create, you can set your own standards and live according to what matters to you. The struggle for meaning in an alienating and uncaring universe is indeed a significant part, but the overall message is that no matter what you believe, you give your own self meaning.

Life is not misery, it is fun, and it's okay, like:

a reply to: spygeek

Whoa there spygeek. Are you trying to tell me that this isnt the epitome of happiness: "Death! Death to mankind. Annihilation. Extermination of the pitiful race."?!

a reply to: Tiamat384

Heh, i'm very sorry to disappoint you..

a reply to: spygeek

That is the epitome of happiness in my book fine..ill try to find a happy one..about one's existence yes?

originally posted by: Tiamat384
a reply to: spygeek

That is the epitome of happiness in my book

fine..ill try to find a happy one..about one's existence yes?

feel free to express your dissatisfaction and existential dread, just don't make us all want to kill ourselves xD



And yes, something that relates to your own existence is preferable, consider this thread an outlet for your own personal, autobiographical, philosophical, lyrical waxing..

a reply to: spygeek

Just so you know I am laughing now. Im a jolly fellow! Hate happy music though. Hmm. Personal beliefs. That will take a few thoughts. Will be back in a short while.

However those last two by me. Come on.

a reply to: spygeek
I know this song is still sad (actually sad), but it rings very through with me and I plan on sending it to my father when I know with absolute certainty I won't need him ever again..It's not heavy, just sad guitar.


I'll find more. And less gloom. But best I could find will be neutral sounding. Can't stand happy music. Sorry if I take up too much room here.

a reply to: Tiamat384

Beautiful. I wish I could star that twice.

Don't be concerned with the amount of space you take, quantity is sometimes necessary to find quality.

I feel compelled to share a track from my own father's catalogue, in fact he wants it played at his funeral, the poor bugger..



Of course, being the hip young mid thirties man I am, I will also share the dubstep bastardisation:



I REFUSE to be middle aged, dammit!

a reply to: spygeek
I might start a thread tomorrow entitled: "Funeral Songs" asking what songs people would want played at theirs. I must say...I just began listening to that song your father wants played..it's beautiful. Wow, I'm going to check that group out for more songs. That is...amazing. I will definitely try to find more songs, some may be gloomy like the last, others political and then others philosophical each either connected to me or my beliefs. Is this English only? Mind you I will post translations if it isn't English.
Hah, you refuse to be middle aged? 30 years old isn't middle age from what I've heard. I refuse to be a member of my generation. Ought to have been born in 1965-1970..

I admit it, I have a bad VNV Nation habit. But they speak to me, one of their songs will come on my playlist on random and I'll sit up, forget what I'm currently doing, and drink in every word of their songs.







Bittersweet doom and gloom.

originally posted by: Tiamat384
a reply to: spygeek
I might start a thread tomorrow entitled: "Funeral Songs" asking what songs people would want played at theirs.

Brilliant idea.

Is this English only? Mind you I will post translations if it isn't English.

Hah, you refuse to be middle aged? 30 years old isn't middle age from what I've heard. I refuse to be a member of my generation. Ought to have been born in 1965-1970..

36 is getting there. I can already feel it happening..


I mean, really? WTF IS A BELIEBER? Kill me now if that is really a thing..

I refuse to be a member of my generation. Ought to have been born in 1965-1970..

As a biased person born in 1979, I can empathise but assure you that the downfall came post 1980..

a reply to: spygeek
I hope the idea is well received and with attention. I know what you mean...going to be 19 this June. I feel the back pains, surprised my hips are still ok.

It might be a thing, I'm not really in tune with modern "culture"...The world has been declining culturally and intellectually since the 90s. I love the 80s music and early 90s and rare bits here and there later on if they stick true to those sounds. I wish I were born in those earlier times. I think an interesting thread would be as a short story based on those times actually. I'd like to hear about people back then and I could provide stories from Communist Poland (second hand experience)
So wait are non English songs ok? I take that as a yes. I just saw the song you posted.

Translation:
It's not a carnival but I want to dance,
And I'll dance with her during the day,
It's not a game, but I play,
Sleepless nights, sleepless days...
She's not a lover, but I sleep with her,
Though they laugh at me and tease...
(She's)So tired and drunk still,
That's why, don't ask me...
Don't ask me, Why I'm with her,
Don't ask me, Why not with another,
Don't ask me, Why I think that,
That there is no other place for me....
Don't ask me, What I still see in her,
Don't ask me, Why not in another,
Don't ask me, Why I still want,
To sleep and wake in her (Direct translation:To sleep in her and wake)...
These dirty stations,
Where I meet her,
The crowds that silently curse,
The drunk that mutters something in his sleep,
That while we live she lives too.
Don't ask me, don't ask me,
What I see in her...
Don't ask me, What I still see in her,
Don't ask me, Why not in another,
Don't ask me, Why I still want,
To sleep and wake in her (Direct translation:To sleep in her and wake)...
Don't ask me, Why I'm with her,
Don't ask me, Why not with another,
Don't ask me, Why I think that,
That there is no other place for me....
Don't ask me, Why I'm with her,
Don't ask me, Why not with another,
Don't ask me, Why I think that,
That there is no other place for me....
Don't ask me, What I still see in her,
Don't ask me, Why not in another,
Don't ask me, Why I still want,
To sleep and wake in her (Direct translation:To sleep in her and wake)...

a reply to: Tiamat384

It would be well received I think, especially amoung those of us who contemplate our mortality on a regular basis..

I would be very interested to read such a short story, perhaps collaborative effort from members? I am fascinated by communist European history, they produced so much introspective and meaningful art, poetry and philosophy, I want to learn about the sociopolitical impetus of it.

So wait are non English songs ok? I take that as a yes. I just saw the song you posted.

Edit: just missed your reply, enjoyed the song, now I've got another group to investigate

a reply to: spygeek
I picked mine out last year I remember. It's purely instrumental and well, will be available on ATS (as will be the thread) in about 8 and a half hours.

Hmm, it would be though most people would be contributing a story of life under capitalist/democratic systems. But each individual story would be a nice read, question is how to garner the attention needed for such a thing. Perhaps a title:ATS Collaborative Writing: True Stories of Lives From the 70s to 80s

The main thing I'd contribute would be the music (under Communism so punk primarily) and life from the eyes of a child/teenager. Though actually such contributions may be made else where and linked in to ATS, though nothing certain.

Yes there are many great Polish bands, almost all punk or alternative rock. I like listening to the language. Miss it at times, though I moved when I was just 4. Perhaps one day I'll return there. If it doesn't change too much..