Music and States of Mind
In dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), there’s a concept called “States of Mind,” where the mind can be in one of rational mind, emotional mind, or a combination of the two, wise mind.
Rational mind rules with logic and facts. Values and feelings are not important, only the truth. In fact, the feelings of others are often ignored when arguing the facts. In pop culture, some characters that portray this type of mindset are Mr. Spock from Star Trek, Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon, and Spencer Reed from Criminal Minds.
Emotional mind controls your body with emotions instead of rational thought. For example, instead of thinking about all of the success you’ve had in your life, you instead dwell on the fact that you aren’t the CEO of the company.
Wise Mind is a blend of both Rational and Emotional mind. When making decisions, you’re considering not only the facts, but also your own feelings as well as the feelings of others. This is where everyone should strive to be when making decisions and living life in general, but it’s not uncommon to get stuck in one of the other two for both short and long periods of time.
Music is an interesting way to explore emotions that you may be feeling, and different songs will hit upon different states of mind. Although this is Movieslap, not Musicslap, below we will explore some examples of music that fit into each of the three types of mindsets.
Emotional Mind Music
This is arguably the easiest state of mind to find music about. Many songs are written as a way to process strong emotions. Below are a few examples that show this state of mind.
Limp Bizkit: Break Stuff
If there’s one song that is the epitome of emotional mind, it’s Break Stuff by Limp Bizkit. The whole song is about being in an emotional rage and wanting to destroy everything. The protagonist may even throat punch an old lady that cuts in front of him at Starbucks.
It's just one of those days where you don't want to wake up Everything is fucked, everybody sucks You don't really know why but you want to justify Rippin' someone's head off
You can watch the official music video here:
Pain of Salvation: Ashes
Now we’re on to some of the more obscure music that the mainstream, especially in the United States, isn’t aware of. The song Ashes, part of a concept album named, The Perfect Element I, focuses on the forming of the individual, particularly on the events from one’s childhood and adolescence. Both of the characters in the song have experienced trauma, most likely sexual abuse, and they don’t know how to cope with the emotions so begin to self-destruct.
You claim I don't know you, but I know you well I read in those ash eyes we've been through hell I've walked with the weakest just to feel strong You've given your body just to belong
Warning: Some of the imagery in the video is somewhat disturbing.
Carrie Underwood: Before He Cheats
The song, Before He Cheats, by Carrie Underwood is a popular song in the mainstream and an anthem for many. It’s pure emotional mind, which is probably one reason it repulses me every time I hear it as it condones breaking the law (rational mind) as opposed to finding a wise mind solution of just walking away. In addition, the song is entitled BEFORE he cheats, which implies the protagonist did not perform the DBT skill of checking the facts. This is further highlighted by the lyrics, which clearly state the person is “probably” doing something wrong, but the song never states that the protagonist actually caught her partner cheating on her.
Right now, he's probably slow dancin' with a bleach-blonde tramp And she's probably gettin' frisky Right now, he's probably buyin' her some fruity little drink 'Cause she can't shoot whiskey
Rational Mind Music
Music that focuses on rational mind is harder to find than emotional mind, but still fairly common. Songs that focus on facts and explaining situations are good examples.
Ayreon: E=mc^2
For those unaware, Ayreon isn’t a band in the traditional sense. Instead, it’s a musical project lead by a man named Arjen Anthony Lucassen. He works with other brilliant musicians to come up with full length concept albums (some double albums) that tell amazing stories.
In E=mc^2, a scientist has the ability to send messages into the past and tries to use it to save the world. However he finds that the only change that occurs is a minor note in ancient lore.
This may be our last chance If we want man to survive A mirror reflection Show them our world as it dies Cut through the barrier And do what no one has dared Let's break the equation… E=mc²
Queensryche: Gonna Get Close to You
If you want an example of how rational mind can still be extremely creepy, then listen to the song, Gonna Get Close to You by prog-rock band Queensryche. It tells the story of the protagonist calmly stalking someone and can send a shiver down your spine when he mentions that, “I’m like a hungry criminal and your protection is minimal.”
I like to look at shadows sweating on the wall I get excited when I hear footsteps in the hall Outside your balcony I have a room with a view And I'm watching you
Fun fact: This is actually a cover: The song was originally written by Lisa Dalbello.
Wise Mind Music
Wise mind music is probably the hardest to actually identify because, like a social media post, most music is a snippet of a specific point in time and extreme feelings are easier to convey than normal, everyday life. That said, there are plenty of songs that fall into wise mind as well.
Shadow Gallery: Vow
Shadow Gallery was never a popular band in the mainstream, but was very well known to fans of progressive metal. The band released many albums, but their two most popular were Tyranny and the sequel, Room V. Both albums should be taken together and played in order as it tells the story of a man who becomes disillusioned with his life and the entire military-industrial complex, but runs into issues when he tries to expose it. I can highly recommend just sitting back and listening to both albums in order and treat it like a movie experience.
I've chased material gain it's the emptiest dream I've watched it turn back to dust and it don't mean a thing The spirit found its way in and it changed my whole life I'm offering you my hope with the gift of this light Please take this vow
Nightwish: Alpenglow
Nightwish is a popular symphonic metal band from Finland, and their songs are very melodic and meaningful. In Alpenglow, the protagonist talks about birth, living, and finally dying with the one you love, and how these are all part of life.
We were here Roaming on the endless prairie Writing an endless story Building a Walden of our own We were here Grieving the saddened faces Conquering the darkest places Time to rest now and to finish the show And become the music, one with alpenglow
If you’re wondering what “Building a Walden of our own,” means, it’s the name of a pond in Massachusetts where writer Henry David Thoreau spent two years living in a cabin and wrote a famous book about it. The song is referring to being happy living in nature.
A Mixture of Minds
Music is complex, and oftentimes a song will cover multiple states of mind.
Semblant: What Lies Ahead
Semblant, a Brazilian Gothic Metal band, has a song called What Lies Ahead that covers both wise mind and emotional mind. In the song, which takes place in a Walking Dead-esque landscape, the female lead singer is in wise mind, while the male lead is in emotional mind. The female lead talks about honoring those who have already died, and the need to survive, while the male lead sings lyrics about violence becoming the way and to fear everything inside.
Empty are the eyes of everyone who's dead inside! Guilty as you slay the agonizing ones Demonized! Open are the wounds inside us all Fragile as the loved ones start to fall Empty are the eyes of everyone who's dead inside!
Savatage: The Hourglass
In The Hourglass, the main protagonist is ready to end his life. He lays down on the deck of the ship, ready to set sail for the ocean and never come back. He is clearly in emotional mind.
The man climbed aboard and set sail for the ocean He put on the mast all the canvas she'd take Then laid himself down on the deck neath the tiller The ship was his coffin this moment his wake
When he gets out into the open seas, a storm begins to form, but he hears a voice of someone who stowed away on the ship and will meet his end as well due to the decisions made by the protagonist, so he enters rational mind and begins bargaining with a higher power.
And if this is not to be I pray could I borrow Just another final hour onto my life
Finally, when he gets safely back to land, he enters wise mind and realizes that life is precious and should not be foolishly given away. His life (hourglass) will continue.
Standing once more by a boat on a river He pushes it off while he stays on the land And seeing the hourglass now so much clearer Which someone had refilled by hand
Conclusion
It’s an interesting exercise to listen to music with the specific goal of identifying what the song’s state of mind is. People listen to different types of music depending on their mood, but it’s also important to realize that listening to music (as well as watching certain videos and movies) can negatively impact your emotional state as well.
Always be aware of how you are being impacted by the media you consume.
DBT image courtesy of Soul Work Counseling