“1-800-273-8255,” is a song written by the artist Logic featuring Alessia Cara and Khalid, two very influential artists. Its title comes from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Logic wrote this song to deliver a message to anyone who is mentally ill or suffering from depression and to prevent them from committing suicide. This song became a big hit single and received a nomination for Song of the Year at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards. “1-800-273-8255” talks about the value of living life even when you think life isn’t worth living anymore.
Before this song was written, not many people knew the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline existed and was available to them. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to those in suicidal crisis or emotional distress and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. According to the organization, its mission is to improve crisis services and advance suicide prevention by empowering individuals, advancing professional best practices, and building awareness.
Logic uses the lyrics:
“I’ve been on the low I been taking my time, I feel like I’m out of my mind, It feels like my life ain’t mine. I don’t wanna be alive, I don’t wanna be alive, I just wanna die, and let me tell you why.”
Logic uses these lyrics in the beginning of the song as to describe an experience on the hotline as if he is talking to someone on the describing why they want to take their life.
Logic’s music is known to help people all around the world. “1-800-273-8255” is yet another hit meant to serve as someone’s “outlet.” The artist wants to let people know that he will always be on their side and that the suicide hotline is always there too.
Logic’s next lyrics are as follows:
“All this other stuff I’m talkin’ ’bout they think they know it I’ve been praying for somebody to save me, no one’s heroic And my life don’t even matter, I know it, I know it, I know I’m hurting deep down but can’t show it. I never had a place to call my own, I never had a home, ain’t nobody callin’ my phone. Where you been? Where you at? What’s on your mind? They say every life precious but nobody care about mine.”
These lyrics explain that if someone is hurting deep down and suffering with a means to cope and survive, the song can serve as a coping mechanism or a way to vent. The song is also a tool for those seeking help and an escape from reality, which can sometimes be depression. The song also helps those suicidal individuals that are secretly crying for help people but others neglect to see their pain. The purpose of this song is to encourage people to call the hotline and get help from people that can walk them through with their issues or simply to vent and fulfill their pain.
The song also says that people have meaningful lives even if they aren’t currently happy. The ultimate message: life is worth living and someone does care. It also describes that every life has a purpose and people should live it to the fullest.
Robert Bryson Hall II is Logic’s real name. He was born out of wedlock and was raised in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Logic had a precarious childhood. Not only were his parents drug and substance abusers, but he also witnessed his older siblings produce and distribute drugs not only to other drug abusers but to their father. Logic lived in a tormenting environment with his mother she would have many men in the house where he would witness her being abused. Logic opens up and about his mother being a racist and about how his mother nearly choked him to death when he was younger. At school, kids would tease Logic for being biracial.
In the music video, “1-800-273-8255” is telling a story of a gay teenage boy who had developed a crush on one of his friends. When he comes out with his sexuality, his father and the other boy’s dad are not supportive of his decision. Logic, Alessia Cara, and Khalid are shown in the video on their computers singling their verses of encouragement with empathy. Once the teenager came out with his sexuality, he then became bullied by his teammates. His coach ends up comforting him about coming out. For some reason, the teenage boy becomes so discouraged that he pushes to the edge of committing suicide and holds a gun, before deciding to call the suicide prevention hotline. After he calls the suicide prevention hotline, he talks to his dad and then his dad ended up accepting him for who he is.
Alessia Clara was featured in the second verse of “1-800-273-8255” to explain that even though you have been holding on to whatever you have been dealing with for so long, you can finally let it go and then you can stare into a mirror and come to realize that you are happy and comfortable with what you see and who you are as person after calling the hotline. The lyrics also show that there is always someone that is willing to listen even when you think there is anyone, there is always someone to listen and uplift you.
Alessia Clara uses the lyrics:
“It’s holding on, though the road’s long, and seeing light in the darkest things, and when you stare at your reflection finally knowing who it is, I know that you’ll thank God you did.”
Logic’s next lyrics in the third verse state:
“I know where you been, where you are, where you goin’. I know you’re the reason I believe in life, what’s the day without a little night? I’m just tryna shed a little light. It can be hard, it can be so hard but you gotta live right now, you got everything to give right now”
In this verse, Logic uses these lyrics as if he is the person on the suicide hotline explaining to the caller that he or she understands what the caller is going through. The hotline is also telling the caller that we all have struggles, and as long as you never give up on yourself light will break through the darkness.
Khalid’s outro:
“Pain don’t hurt the same, I know. The lane I travel feels alone. But I’m moving ’til my legs give out and I see my tears melt in the snow. 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.”
These lyrics are stating that the teenage boy in the music video has learned that his life still matters. No matter the grief, he decided that he will continue to live life. After opening up with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, he no longer had suicidal thoughts and was proud of his sexuality.
Pathos and Logos from the Rhetorical Triangle are both shown in “1-800-273-8255”. Pathos is shown throughout the song. Logic, Cara, and Khalid show strong emotions while singing this song. I think that they each use sentimental meaning in each of their lyrics. I also think Logos is used in this song because of the song title and the lyrics. “1-800-273-8255” was a very good title for this song because not many people knew the suicide hotline number.
I feel like Logic and his music all together has made a huge impact on people’s lives all around the world. At the VMA’s (August 2017) Logic performed “1-800-273-8255” and invited some of the suicide attempt and loss survivors to the stage with him during his performance. After watching his performance myself, I realized that Logic is very different from many other rappers. When he makes his music, it actually has meaning and he tries to have a positive influence on his fans. Suicide is something people deal with daily and. Logic’s music is life-changing for many. Although Logic has never had suicidal thoughts, he uses true passion while performing this song to be as relatable as possible.
“1-800-273-8255” is not only a song but it has given support to those who are suffering from suicidal thoughts. The advice: always know that you are not alone and that a lot of people suffer from these issues. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. I truly think that Logic deserves more recognition. He projects his messages in all of his song and not many rappers in today’s society write songs about real life. Never let a stumble in the road be the end of your journey.
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