Can Bands Truly Save Lives?

I think they can, but not physically.
As Isabel said, saving doesn't have to physical.

I dunno.
I like how Andy put it, really.
they don't have to be there physically to save you. if someone takes away the pills/pulls you from the edge of the bridge, that doesn't mean you're saved. You're still a mess, you're still depressed.
You're not saved just because they took away whatever was about to help off you.
So yeah, I guess music does save lives.
I find an odd, great comfort in that, tbh.

I don't believe they can but I like to think that the idea of them saving us saves us.

Thats complicated I know, but if you think about it I know you'll get it.

I like to think that there's someone out there who is holding out for us. Who wants us to save ourselves, thus giving us hope.

IDK it's just what I like to think :shifty

nah. Bands don't save you physically. Some might intend to save you through their lyrics and the things they say. But it's their good influence that helps you to be saved.
It's through the influence and the inspiration they give that makes you think twice of your decisions.

Nancy Boy:

I don't believe they can but I like to think that the idea of them saving us saves us.

Thats complicated I know, but if you think about it I know you'll get it.

I understand that and I agree. Somehow knowing that someone cares and that someone knows and gives a damn about what you're going through, and the fact that they want you to be saved from it, will give you a sure lift. Especially if you look up to them as great and awesome people, oh and if you know they've gone through the same thing too before.

Err. I'm not just talking about one band though.

I think music can save your life, just by being calming/enjoyable and therefore giving people a tiny bit of sanity during terrible times, or just terrible moods (I have mood swings :weird)

I don't think one band really saves anyone, though, more music as a whole.

One band, however, or even one song, can have quite a big influence on your life.

I don't think they can ever physically save you but they can certainly make you feel better

I think bands can help and maybe give you different outlooks on things. And influence you in a positive way. But, yeah. In the end. It's all down to you.

Well... maybe not physically.

You can't just hear a song and suddenly everything is ok. You don't stop being unhappy because you listen to an album that you love or a song that you identify with. All your problems don't go away because you have that band. But they can inspire you, whether it be with music or videos or lyrics or interviews, etc. They can inspire you to stop self destructing, or stop letting others get to you so badly, or maybe just inspire you to keep going. The music can keep you going, and the lyrics can remind you that you're not alone. You save yourself. But, they can help you save yourself. Everyone needs a little help, and I think if it comes in the form of music then that's fantastic.

Like Isa said, you don't have to be physically saved to be saved. It helps to think that someone out there does not want you to kill yourself, and although that is influence, that influence is what you need to be saved.

My Chemical Romance saved my life. I am not saying that because everyone else does. I am saying that they are the reason I am here today.

It is really complicated, but if it happens to you, you understand it.

Personally as a person whose been down that path...I don't think bands save lives. I believe the songs they sing give in impact on the situation and make you realize that what your doing is wrong and you slowly stop doing it.

The songs well lyrics just seem to hit certain cords and show you that you can do better. And then its up to you whether you choose to stop and do better or still follow down that path.

I honestly believe its you, that saves your life.Not some person whom you don't know.Its all about you stopping your self.

My Chemical Romance and Smashing Pumpkins helped me through that night. I'd odd-ed on everything in my cupboards and I had slashed my wrists. It's a miricle I'm still alive. I had my iPod turned on shuffle. MCR came on and I called myself an ambulence. I would let them turn my iPod off, because I knew if I let them, I would let myself 'fall asleep'. If they hadn't come on my iPod, I wouldn't be here today. I had no reason for it and I saw no reason in living.

They changed my mind completely. They didn't physically take the pills or razorblades, but they helped me mentally carry on.

The words we hear have a definite impact on how we feel, they can take away the pain.
In some cases they can give us a reason to keep going, a cause to fight for!

Yes music can make us change, so I guess for some it may have saved their life. WOW I never thought I would say that!
Thank you for the insight!

I agree with the not physicaly thing, but I honestly do think they can have a huge impact on the mental side of things. Last year I wanted to be gone, like from the earth itself. I had no self confidence whatsoever, and barely had friends that I could trust enough to tell them what was going on. Cliche as it sounds, listening to bands like My Chemical Romance, The Used, even Evanescence and Linkin Park, made me realize, that yes, I was worth something. They were and are the reason I never started anything like cutting, and along with my friends, were the reason why I was pulled out of those thoughts.

Bands that have that much influence or inspiration for you can give you a reason to back up and think, to make you want to keep on going, and I think that can pretty much leave the rest up to you.

I believe bands save in any way you let them.
I have my own personal experiences to go on, and others.
The physical thing, whatever. You can stop yourself, but the thing that makes you stop should be the most important.

I defiantely think that they are influences, which I guess cutting out the middle man is "saving your life". I believe music can change people, but the majority of it is down to themselves, not just the music.

I was talking to my friend about whether or not My Chemical Romance saved lives. We decided, as much as they meant to me, as much as they will always mean to me because of that, they don't.
Have you ever noticed how almost every MCR fan has some kind of problem. They almost all seem to be fucked up in one way or another. Lots of them say that My Chemical Romance helps them every day, but do they honestly?
I don't like to put blame on anyone other than myself for what I went through but I honestly think My Chemical Romance had a part to play in it. There music gave me this dark side, maybe it had just been hidden or blocked out before. But then I started getting darker, people started hating me, they'd judge me instantly and I swear that it spawned from this love of My Chemical Romance. I became really obsessive and reclusive and I swear everything I had built up for myself at my new school just came tumbling down around me.
I love My Chemical Romance and I think in someway they lead me on this journey, for good or for bad. Because I've come out, in the end, a much happier person. In general I'm alot happier with who I am and what I'm like. Which is great, but I'm not the girl I was when I liked MCR and I am no longer the biggest fan I was. I got dragged into that whole "scene" and now I've learnt that I can listen to rock/metal/emo whatever the fuck I want without becoming the stereotype people expect me to be.
I don't think they save lives.
I think My Chemical Romance might deep down have been the reason i started cutting.
I'm not even sure if they help people in anyway, not just MCR, any band.
But even if they didn't help me, even if they did take me down I think it turned out for the better. It was like a voyage of self-discovery and I think I'm a better person because of it ...
For the record, I loved My Chemical Romance and they'll always be special to me because of it.

It helps I guess, like medicine

but like it helps people take the razor away or sumink

all I know is that it helps

^ (couple of posts above) Using MCR as an example; at that time when people were getting roped into the 'new scene' they seemed to have going for them, and were claiming to have their lives saved... It's just not logical, you know?

These were people who have been living their lives, day to day, way before this band suddenly became well known and involved with them. Sure, MCR have helped a lot of people, but not half as many that claim to have been saved, I believe. Not saved as in, I have a problem, I need help. Saved as in, I have something to do with my time - listen to you. To say 'MCR saved my life', suddenly became a cliche, and something a lot of people thought you needed to say if you listened to the band.

Music has never saved me. It's healed me and helped me, mentally. But if I was ever in a situation that I needed to be saved, perhaps music would be the thing to do it. Music does give me strength and hope in some respects. It certainly keeps a smile on my face through the rough times.

^Very well said.
Although I think Queen might have saved me from a life of emo-try. :tehe:
Just kidding.