In the world of music, silence takes on a whole new meaning. It’s the silent whispers of love, the quiet stirrings of thought, and the muted echoes of memories. Let’s dive deep into 20 songs about silence that you might resonate with.
If you are drawn towards exploring the profound essence of silence through music, or if you are intrigued by the spectrum of emotions silence can evoke, you are in for a treat. For the passionate music lover or even the casual listener, this compilation is a treat to the senses.
Contents
- 1. “The Sounds Of Silence” by Simon and Garfunkel
- 2. “When I Go Deaf” by Low
- 3. “Hush” by Deep Purple
- 4. “Silence Kit” by Pavement
- 5. “Voices Carry” by Til Tuesday
- 6. “Silence” by PJ Harvey
- 7. “A Quiet Place” by Garnet Mimms
- 8. “Enjoy The Silence” by Depeche Mode
- 9. “Quiet Storm” by Mobb Deep
- 10. “Silent Shout” by The Knife
- 11. “The Quiet One” by The Who
- 12. “No Surprises” by Radiohead
- 13. “Silence” by Matisyahu
- 14. “Silence Is The Enemy” by Papa Roach
- 15. “Our Lips Are Sealed” by The Go-Go’s
- 16. “Quiet Heart” by The Go-Betweens
- 17. “Your Silent Face” by New Order
- 18. “Silence” by Portishead
- 19. “Lazy Calm” by Cocteau Twins
- 20. “Mary Of Silence” by Mazzy Star
- Conclusion
1. “The Sounds Of Silence” by Simon and Garfunkel
A poetic masterpiece, “The Sounds of Silence” by Simon and Garfunkel, is an anthem for the introspective souls. It delves into the mind of a person weary from the superficial chatter around them, craving deeper, meaningful conversations. This song, which soared to the top of the charts in the ’60s, resonates with the feeling of yearning for someone who can understand their existential musings.
2. “When I Go Deaf” by Low
A poetic masterpiece, “The Sounds of Silence” by Simon and Garfunkel, is an anthem for the introspective souls. It delves into the mind of a person weary from the superficial chatter around them, craving deeper, meaningful conversations. This song, which soared to the top of the charts in the ’60s, resonates with the feeling of yearning for someone who can understand their existential musings.
3. “Hush” by Deep Purple
“Hush ” by Deep Purple is about a guy doing many things to impress the woman of his dreams but unfortunately she rejects all his attempts. The “hush” in the song is when the singer tries to tell the girl to just stop talking and let him do his thing.
4. “Silence Kit” by Pavement
“Silence Kit” by Pavement invites us into the world of a silent, new city dweller. The song encourages him to shed his shyness, open up and explore his new surroundings. This track speaks to anyone who has felt the quiet uncertainty that comes with being in a new place. And fun fact – many believe the track was originally named “Silence Kid,” but a label misprint led to “Silence Kit” sticking around!
5. “Voices Carry” by Til Tuesday
“Voices Carry” by ‘Til Tuesday, a chilling narrative about a woman in a potentially abusive relationship. Her love interest urges her to stay silent and take things slow, but as the song unfolds, his request morphs into a demand for her silence.
This haunting ’80s hit confronts the darker side of silence, where it becomes a tool for control and suppression. It serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of having our voices heard.
6. “Silence” by PJ Harvey
“Silence” by PJ Harvey is about someone trying to find their real self. They have been distracted by the activities in this world for a long time but as time goes on, they have realized their mistake. The lyrics of the song shed light on this and how the protagonist decides to rectify the situation and go on a journey of self-discovery.
7. “A Quiet Place” by Garnet Mimms
“A Quiet Place” by Garnet Mimms is a funny yet painful song as it talks about someone who is just trying to get a night of good sleep only to be interrupted. He goes everywhere in order to sleep uninterrupted but the noise seems to follow him everywhere.
8. “Enjoy The Silence” by Depeche Mode
“Enjoy the Silence” by Depeche Mode is about someone trying to talk to a younger version of themselves and telling them to not rely on words too much. The message is to enjoy the silence instead of running away from it. Some lyrics point to the fact that words are often used to hurt the people we love whereas silence can be refreshing.
9. “Quiet Storm” by Mobb Deep
“Quiet Storm” by Mobb Deep is about a person who is quiet by nature but is actually has immeasurable potential and everyone will learn this fact, as the singer believes. Just because someone is silent doesn’t mean that they can’t take the world by storm. The singer believes such people can show their worth when it’s needed.
10. “Silent Shout” by The Knife
“Silent Shout” by The Knife delves into the poignant reflections of a person on their deathbed. With a profound undercurrent of regret, the song depicts the protagonist’s silent cries for those already departed.
It’s a potent reminder of our mortality and the importance of making choices we won’t regret. This Swedish duo’s electronic masterpiece serves as a reflective journey into the silent shout of our innermost feelings.
11. “The Quiet One” by The Who
“The Quiet One” by The Who is another song for introverts and the singer claims these individuals are deeper than anyone can imagine. The quiet one might be weak for words but is strong for thoughts. They also have a degree of mystery that people generally find intimidating as well as intriguing.
12. “No Surprises” by Radiohead
“No Surprises” by Radiohead is about someone who is tired of our capitalist society and just wants to sleep without the presence of an “alarm clock”. The singer decides to be quiet about this, stating there isn’t anything he can do to change things dramatically.
13. “Silence” by Matisyahu
Matisyahu’s “Silence” is a poignant exploration of idealism clashing with reality. The protagonist dreams of a perfect world, only to be disheartened by its inherent flaws. Yet, they still yearn for a “true leader” to shatter the silence and instigate change, reflecting our collective hope for a better world.
14. “Silence Is The Enemy” by Papa Roach
“Silence Is The Enemy” by Papa Roach is somewhat a political song that urges people to speak up when they notice injustice. Silence is the enemy if we want a fair society. People should voice out their opinions as much as possible and use the power of speech to mend what is broken in the world.
15. “Our Lips Are Sealed” by The Go-Go’s
The Go-Go’s brought us “Our Lips Are Sealed,” a classic hit about weathering the storm of gossip and rumors. The song is about a couple choosing silence as their shield against the destructive whispers of jealousy.
Rather than engaging with baseless allegations, they stay serene and secure within their bubble of love. It’s a powerful testament to the wisdom of silence amidst the clamor of senseless chatter.
16. “Quiet Heart” by The Go-Betweens
Take a peek into the world of love and loss with “Quiet Heart” by The Go-Betweens. This song portrays a bloke who’s mad about a lass but a disagreement has caused a rift.
Diving deep into the narrative, the lyrics craft a vivid story, allowing you to feel the scene without being present. Amid the chaos of the situation, he sees her quiet heart, knowing they both have a long road to walk.
17. “Your Silent Face” by New Order
“Your Silent Face” by New Order, is a contemplative piece on the inevitability of life and death. Amidst its ethereal tune, it delivers a punch with its audacious lyrics: “You’ve caught me at a bad time, now why don’t you piss off?” Despite its somewhat somber theme, the song managed to make waves and is hailed as one of New Order’s most popular hits
18. “Silence” by Portishead
Portishead’s “Silence” is a moving piece on loss and desolation. It echoes the despair of one left alone to mourn, entangled in mind games when support was the need of the hour.
The singer questions the crushing silence and calls for a more open emotional dialogue. It’s a resonant anthem for anyone who’s navigated the stormy seas of loss.
19. “Lazy Calm” by Cocteau Twins
“Lazy Calm” by Cocteau Twins is about someone who is saying goodbye to a loved one who passed away. Death is a reality but some goodbyes are harder than others. The singer understands that everyone has to leave this world someday but is wondering why it was so early in this case.
20. “Mary Of Silence” by Mazzy Star
In “Mary of Silence,” Mazzy Star takes us on a journey through the bittersweet memories of a lost love. The protagonist navigates through remorse, pondering on the “what ifs” and wishing for another chance to guide Mary to heaven.
Conclusion
There are many songs about silence that intrigue the heart. Some appeal to our senses more than any word could while some of the themes are quite sad. Silence is relatable however because almost everyone has experienced the pain of losing a loved one, be it in a relationship or in life. The songs on this list cover different genres and themes and you are bound to find tracks that will strike a chord!