Marilyn Manson declared that the song was more depressing and offensive than anything he'd ever written, and covered it for the soundtrack to the 2000 movie Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2


http://www.songfacts.com/blog/writing/top_10_tv_show_theme_songs/

"Suicide is Painless" is a depressing song. I was just reading the lyrics the other day. The song is all about why the author thinks suicide is the only choice and then invites listeners to make the same choice. Of course the song is best understood in context. And that context (from the movie M*A*S*H) is a soldier who is depressed from living in a war zone and being surrounded by pain and death.

"Suicide is Painless" is a depressing song. I was just reading the lyrics the other day. The song is all about why the author thinks suicide is the only choice and then invites listeners to make the same choice. Of course the song is best understood in context. And that context (from the movie M*A*S*H) is a soldier who is depressed from living in a war zone and being surrounded by pain and death.

Actually, the song refers to the dentist, portrayed by John Schuck. He was the "Painless" Pole, and his character wanted to die because he believed that since he was unable to "rise" to the occasion sexually, that he must have turned gay. If you watch the 1970 movie, you'll better understand the tie-in. Of course, with or without said reference, it is a very morbid, and depressing yet hauntingly beautiful song, not the lyrics so much, but the melody itself, which was adapted to the tv series obviously.

I disagree with Marilyn Manson . Suicide isn't my first choice, but I LOVE "Suicide Is Painless" ! The verses that begin “The sword of time will pierce our skins” and “A brave man once requested me” don’t even make much sense, but the song would be too short without them . I'd give ANYTHING to have it on CD !

Actually, the song refers to the dentist, portrayed by John Schuck. He was the "Painless" Pole, and his character wanted to die because he believed that since he was unable to "rise" to the occasion sexually, that he must have turned gay. If you watch the 1970 movie, you'll better understand the tie-in. Of course, with or without said reference, it is a very morbid, and depressing yet hauntingly beautiful song, not the lyrics so much, but the melody itself, which was adapted to the tv series obviously.

Two things I find tiresome in the M*A*S*H movie, the football game and the lyrics to this song. As an instrumental, it is great but the lyrics are like something a 14 year old would write... which is exactly what they were!