I Listened To The Cursed Hungarian Suicide Song: Gloomy Sunday

Summary

In this spine-chilling episode, Aria from the Unsolved Network explores the legend of 'Gloomy Sunday,' a song reputedly linked to over 200 suicides since the 1930s. With a haunting melody composed by Rezso Seress, the song's tragic history is examined alongside expert insights from psychiatrist Dr. James Luzano. Aria bravely listens to the song, reflecting on its potential psychological impact while emphasizing the importance of seeking help for those contemplating suicide.

Takeaways

• 🎶 The video discusses the song 'Gloomy Sunday,' which is rumored to be linked to numerous suicides.
• 📜 The song originated in the 1930s by Hungarian songwriter Rezso Seress, who wrote it after experiencing heartbreak.
• 💔 It is said that the song has a tragic history with several listeners reportedly committing suicide, including the songwriter himself.
• 🎵 The song has been recorded by various artists, with Billie Holiday's version being one of the most well-known.
• 👻 The video explores the urban legend and the dark allure of the song, questioning whether a song can cause someone to commit suicide.
• 🤔 A psychiatrist, Dr. James Luzano, is interviewed, suggesting that while a song alone may not cause suicide, it could play a role or trigger existing thoughts in a vulnerable person.
• 📝 The video emphasizes the importance of not romanticizing suicide and the need for caution when discussing such topics.
• 👥 Aria, the host, expresses her nervousness about listening to the song due to its reputation and her own superstitions.
• 🎧 The audience is invited to listen to different versions of the song and share their reactions, fostering a community discussion.
• 🚨 The video concludes with a strong message about seeking help if one is experiencing suicidal thoughts, emphasizing that help is available.
• 🔄 Aria plans to host live streams to further discuss the song and engage with the audience on the topic.

Q & A

What is the central theme of the video script?

The central theme of the video script is the investigation of the song 'Gloomy Sunday' and its alleged connection to numerous suicides.

Who is the host of the video and what is her name?

The host of the video is Aria, who introduces herself at the beginning of the script.

What is the song 'Gloomy Sunday' also known as?

The song 'Gloomy Sunday' is also known as the Hungarian Suicide Song due to its association with multiple suicides.

Who composed 'Gloomy Sunday' and in which time period?

The song 'Gloomy Sunday' was composed by Hungarian songwriter Rezso Seress in the early 1930s.

What is the significance of the song's creation date being a Sunday?

The significance of the song's creation date being a Sunday is that it is believed to have been written by Rezso Seress the day after his girlfriend left him, which happened to be a Sunday, and he was trying to capture his emotions in music.

What is the role of Dr. James Luzano in the video?

Dr. James Luzano is a psychiatrist who provides a professional perspective on whether a song can cause someone to commit suicide.

What does Dr. Luzano suggest about the role of a song in someone's suicidal thoughts?

Dr. Luzano suggests that while a song cannot be the sole cause of suicide, it can play a role or be a factor, especially if the person is in a vulnerable state and the song resonates with their feelings or thoughts.

What is the urban legend associated with 'Gloomy Sunday'?

The urban legend associated with 'Gloomy Sunday' is that it has been linked to as many as 200 suicides, with listeners dying in a manner connected to their experience of the song.

How does Aria describe her personal reaction to the song after listening to it?

Aria describes feeling nervous and getting chills from certain lines of the song, but she does not feel any dark thoughts or sadness. Instead, she experiences a sense of 'heeby jeebies' or an ominous feeling.

What advice does Dr. Luzano give to those who are having suicidal thoughts?

Dr. Luzano advises those with suicidal thoughts to reach out and communicate, either by calling a hotline, a friend, or family. He also suggests breaking the cycle by doing self-care activities that they enjoy.

What is the final message Aria conveys to the audience regarding the song and its impact?

Aria's final message is that while the song 'Gloomy Sunday' is haunting and has a tragic history, she does not believe that a song can be the sole reason behind someone's decision to commit suicide. She emphasizes that correlation does not equal causation and encourages further listening and discussion.

Outlines

00:00

🎶 The Legend of 'Gloomy Sunday' 🎶

The script begins with a spooky introduction to the song 'Gloomy Sunday,' which is rumored to be linked to numerous suicides. The narrator, Aria, expresses gratitude to the audience for their support in the previous year and introduces the topic of the video: investigating the song's dark history and its alleged connection to suicide. The song, composed by Rezso Seress in the 1930s, is said to have been inspired by Seress's heartbreak after his girlfriend left him. The song became a hit across Europe, with various artists recording their versions, including the famous Billie Holiday. Aria discusses several tragic stories associated with the song, where individuals seemed to have taken their lives in connection with listening to it, and mentions the urban legend that has grown around it.

05:01

🔮 Exploring the Impact of 'Gloomy Sunday' 🔮

In this paragraph, Aria delves deeper into the song's impact, discussing its reputation as the 'Hungarian Suicide Song' and the estimated 200 suicides attributed to it. She acknowledges the complexity of suicide and introduces a consultation with Dr. James Luzano, a psychiatrist, to gain a professional perspective on whether a song could trigger suicidal thoughts. Dr. Luzano suggests that while a song alone is unlikely to cause suicide, it could play a role or be a factor, especially for those in a vulnerable state. He discusses the potential for music to resonate with individuals and how the urban legend status of the song might provide a sense of connectivity for some listeners, possibly influencing their actions.

10:04

🎵 A Firsthand Encounter with 'Gloomy Sunday' 🎵

Aria shares her personal experience of listening to Billie Holiday's version of 'Gloomy Sunday' for the first time, describing the song's haunting lyrics and the ominous feeling it evokes. She reflects on the song's tragic beauty and its history, noting that it is fundamentally a love song born from heartbreak. Aria concludes that, while the song might not be the sole cause of suicide, it could be a contributing factor for those already contemplating it. She encourages viewers to share their reactions and plans to explore the song further in different versions and languages. The video ends with a reminder of the importance of seeking help for those experiencing suicidal thoughts, emphasizing the availability of support resources.

Keywords

💡Suicide

Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. In the context of the video, it is the central theme as the song 'Gloomy Sunday' is purportedly linked to numerous suicides, which is the main subject of the investigation. The script mentions various historical cases where individuals' deaths were connected to the song, illustrating its dark reputation.

💡Gloomy Sunday

Gloomy Sunday, also known as 'Szomoru Vasarnap' in Hungarian, is a song from the 1930s that has an infamous history of being associated with a series of suicides. The song is the focal point of the video, with its haunting lyrics and melody being discussed in detail, as well as its impact on listeners.

💡Rezso Seress

Rezso Seress is the Hungarian songwriter who composed 'Gloomy Sunday.' His personal story of heartbreak and failure is integral to the video's narrative, as it is believed that his emotional state when writing the song may have influenced its melancholic tone and the subsequent tragic events linked to it.

💡Billy Holiday

Billy Holiday, also known as Billie Holiday, was an American jazz and swing music singer. In the script, her recording of 'Gloomy Sunday' is highlighted as the most well-known English version of the song, which the video's host and viewers listen to, emphasizing its continued cultural impact.

💡Urban Legend

An urban legend is a story or anecdote that is widely circulated as true but is often exaggerated or false. The video discusses the urban legend surrounding 'Gloomy Sunday,' questioning whether the song truly caused the suicides attributed to it or if the stories have taken on a life of their own.

💡Mental Health

Mental health refers to a person's emotional, psychological, and social well-being. The video includes a consultation with a mental health professional, Dr. James Luzano, to provide insight into the potential influence of a song like 'Gloomy Sunday' on individuals with pre-existing mental health issues or suicidal thoughts.

💡Trigger

In the context of mental health, a trigger is something that sets off a particular emotional response or reaction, often linked to past trauma or stress. The video explores the idea that 'Gloomy Sunday' could act as a trigger for individuals who are already in a vulnerable state, potentially exacerbating their feelings of despair.

💡Romanticism

Romanticism is an artistic, literary, and intellectual movement that emphasizes emotion, individualism, and the beauty of the past and nature. The video describes the song 'Gloomy Sunday' as tragically romantic, suggesting that its lyrics and melody romanticize death and the idea of being reunited with a lost love in the afterlife.

💡Causation

Causation refers to the relationship between an event (the cause) and a second event (the effect), where the second event is a result of the first. The video discusses the debate over whether 'Gloomy Sunday' can be the sole cause of suicide, concluding that while it may be a contributing factor, it is not the direct cause.

💡Superstition

Superstition is a belief or behavior based on irrational thoughts about supernatural influences. The video's host mentions being superstitious and feeling nervous about listening to 'Gloomy Sunday,' reflecting the power of superstition in influencing one's actions and feelings.

💡Connectivity

Connectivity in this context refers to the sense of connection or community among individuals who share a common experience or belief. The video suggests that the urban legend of 'Gloomy Sunday' may provide a sense of connectivity for those who feel its emotional impact, potentially contributing to its widespread influence.

Highlights

Introduction of the video with a discussion on the potential impact of music on suicide.

Aria's appreciation for the support received on the Unsolved Network.

The intriguing Instagram DM prompting the investigation of 'Gloomy Sunday'.

Historical background of 'Gloomy Sunday' and its composer Rezso Seress.

The tragic love story and the song's creation after Seress' breakup.

The song's commercial success in contrast to its dark history.

Notable cases linking 'Gloomy Sunday' to multiple suicides.

The urban legend and the song's reputation as the 'Hungarian Suicide Song'.

Consultation with Dr. James Luzano, a psychiatrist, for a professional perspective.

Dr. Luzano's opinion on the role of music in triggering suicidal thoughts.

The importance of connectivity and the urban legend's influence on listeners.

Aria's personal reaction to listening to 'Gloomy Sunday' by Billie Holiday.

Analysis of the song's lyrics and their haunting imagery.

Discussion on the song's impact and the concept of romanticizing death.

Aria's conclusion on the song's potential as a trigger versus a cause for suicide.

Encouragement for viewers to share their reactions and thoughts on the song.

Announcement of live streams on Aria's YouTube channel for further discussion.

Aria's reminder of the importance of seeking help for those with suicidal thoughts.

Dr. Luzano's advice on reaching out and self-care for individuals in distress.

Transcripts

- Can a song drive you to commit suicide?

"Little white flowers will never awaken you

Not with a black coach of sorrow has taken you."

(spooky music)

(camera glitching)

(upbeat music)

Hey, everyone.

Aria here.

Firstly, happy, happy new year.

I hope you're all having a wonderful start to 2021.

Secondly, I wanna take a moment to say

a very, very big thank you

to all of you that watched

and supported all the content here

on the Unsolved Network last year,

including obviously the Unsolved Show itself,

but as well as the content being made by myself

and the other producers on the channel.

I personally appreciate

all the lovely comments and messages

I receive from you guys.

And I'm very excited to continue making content

for all of you,

hopefully alongside some new unsolved shenanigans

with the Google boys as well.

So, let's kick off the new year

with a bit of an investigation of sorts.

So, in my videos,

I often asked you guys to message me

any interesting cases or potentially spooky things

to explore with all of you,

and you guys certainly deliver.

In this case,

I received a bit of an ominous Instagram DM

from someone that basically said,

"Listen to the suicide song, Gloomy Sunday."

That was it.

The message was so short

that I was definitely quite intrigued.

So, I looked into it a little bit more

before roping in our wonderful research team at Buzzfeed

to help me dive into it even further.

As I ultimately decided that yes,

I would listen to the suicide song

with all of you.

Basically, the song I'm going to listen to

is called Gloomy Sunday.

It's a Hungarian song from the 1930s

that has reportedly been linked

and attributed to as many as 200 suicides.

I had never heard of this song before

and I've yet to listen to any portions of this song.

So, this is definitely gonna be

a very new experience to go into

with all of you.

Now, I'm not too sure that a song can be

the sole cause leading to suicide,

but I'm definitely a little bit of a superstitious person

so, I won't lie.

I'm a little nervous.

You know, I feel like, you know,

why, why tempt fate at all?

Now, obviously suicide itself

is a very sensitive and complex topic.

But broadly speaking, as we dive into this,

I wanna pose the question,

"Can a song cause you to commit suicide?"

But before we actually listen to Gloomy Sunday,

I think it's worth looking into the very dark

and tragic history behind this song.

Because it seems that the history

and the legends surrounding Gloomy Sunday

and the infamous lure behind its creation

and what followed,

have become hopelessly entangled.

And while the story is as tragic and romantic

as anything dreamed up by Shakespeare,

it's not quite as easy to pull apart

what is fact and what is fiction.

The song Gloomy Sunday was composed

by Hungarian songwriter Rezso Seress

in the early 1930s.

After moving to Paris with his girlfriend

to pursue his dream of becoming a famous songwriter,

Seress found little commercial success.

Seress' girlfriend reportedly insisted

that he give up on his dream

and get a regular nine to five job.

Seress refused,

but still continued to meet nothing but failure.

Soon after, his girlfriend,

the love of his life,

frustrated by their financial situation,

broke up with him.

The story goes that

the day after she left him,

which happened to be a Sunday,

Seress wrote the song while alone

and attempting to capture his emotions in his music.

Here's where reports say

the melody for Gloomy Sunday came into his head.

He played the melody for a friend named Laszlo Javor,

who was a poet,

who assisted in writing the lyrics to the song,

which in its original language was called

Szomoru Vasarnap.

The song was eventually recorded

by a very popular Hungarian pop singer,

Pal Kalmar and became a hit,

not just in Hungary, but across Europe.

By the end of 1936,

the song had numerous different recordings

by different artists,

with perhaps the most well-known English version

of the song recorded by Billy Holiday,

recorded in 1941.

The great irony perhaps is that

once Seress finally achieved the commercial success

his girlfriend had demanded,

he couldn't win her back.

The song seemed to be haunted

by more than just the sorrow

by which it had been written.

And more than a coincidental number of listeners

seemed to be dying by suicide in a manner

that connected to their experience of the song.

Some infamous cases include a Hungarian shoemaker

who reportedly left a suicide note to be found,

in which she quoted some lyrics from Gloomy Sunday.

In Vienna, Austria,

a teenage girl was said to have drowned herself

while holding a piece of sheet music for the song.

In London, England,

a woman was said to have overdosed

while playing her Skippy record of that song on repeat.

In Berlin, Germany, reportedly a young woman

who worked as a shopkeeper,

died by hanging herself in her apartment.

And sheet music for Gloomy Sunday

was later discovered in her bedroom.

In one especially extreme case,

a man allegedly told relatives

he could not get the song out of his head.

And shortly after, he died by shooting himself.

Adding to the depth of the tragedy,

it also was rumored that when Seress tried to find

the woman he had loved and lost,

who had inspired the song in the first place,

she had also perished,

taking her own life by poison.

A number of years later after World War II had passed

and so had his infamous career,

Seress also went on to die by suicide.

After a failed attempt to die

by jumping out of his Budapest apartment window

landed him in the hospital,

he ended up choking himself to death

rather than recover.

Different reports have estimated

there could have been as many as 200 attributed

suicide cases globally.

The song came to have such a reputation

it took on the moniker,

the Hungarian Suicide Song.

(sighing) Well, I do have to say a very big thank you

to my Hungarian speaking Instagram followers

that helped me with the pronunciation

of some of those names,

'cause, it could have been a lot worse.

Whether or not this song was actually

the cause of all these suicides,

that's definitely a very dark, tragic

and pretty frightening history.

But before we actually listened to this song,

I think it's worth balancing out

everything we've heard about this urban legend

by getting additional perspective

from an actual mental health professional.

So, I've lined up a late night call

with Dr. James Luzano,

who's a psychiatrist that specializes in

mental health issues and addiction treatment.

And hopefully, he can provide a different perspective

on the question of whether or not

a song can cause you to commit suicide.

Thank you so much for taking the time

to chat with me, Dr. Luzano, in the evening too.

(laughing) I appreciate you doing that.

I'm looking into a song known as Gloomy Sunday,

which has reportedly been linked to numerous suicides.

Broadly speaking, do you believe that a song

can cause someone to commit suicide?

- And I think the short answer would be no,

that I don't think that a song could cause it,

but I think if you are talking about it playing a role

or being a factor in it,

yeah, I think it can play a role, for sure.

But I think that the bigger question you're asking is,

and the one thing that I would probably consider is,

you know, if someone is in a,

in a somewhat more of a vulnerable state

and that song helps to bring about something

or trigger something or foster a further kind

of deepening of, of a thought they may have already had.

I certainly think that's a possibility.

What's the person's connection to the song?

What about the lyrics or what about

the feelings might resonate for that person in particular?

A lyric in the song puts music and words

to what they're thinking in their heads,

and so it gives them something that's tangible almost

to kind of hold onto and then,

and then it could make it more powerful.

The other thing that came to mind

as you were talking about it is sort of the way that's music

and media is universal, right?

That more than, you know,

multiple people are watching it,

multiple people are listening to it.

And, when we think about the urban legend piece

where it sort of takes on, right,

a power that's greater than what,

you know, the actual song is.

I wonder if that could provide some connectivity

for people, that they see other people,

or they feel like,

"Oh, other people are having that experience

from this song."

And it gives them a sense of connectivity.

And so, when you have that,

and then maybe you're hearing,

"Oh, well. People, you know...

It's led to people committing suicide with that."

And somehow, that gets romanticized.

- [Aria] It's like people connecting through sorrow

or through grief... - Yeah, you can't...

Yeah, you can't predict what the,

what the reaction will be, but yeah, I mean,

but you do see the connectivity

and wherever that goes, it's where it goes.

I think I've now avoided this long enough.

And it's time for us to listen to Gloomy Sunday.

There are many different versions

that we could listen to,

but the one that came up most often in our research

was the one recorded by the legendary Billy Holiday.

So, I think that's the one we should go with.

(sighing)

Okay.

Whoa, I'm (indistinct),

I'm feeling, I'm feeling nervous.

But okay, enough dilly-dallying.

I'm getting the same feeling in me

that you would get like when you're a kid

and you're told to go in the bathroom,

turn the lights off and say

"Bloody Mary" in the mirror three times.

It's like, I don't believe that

if I did that in my bathroom right now,

that she'd appear behind me,

but I'm still not gonna do it,

because, you know, why tempt,

why tempt fate?

Let's just do this.

(breathing noisily)

I don't know if it's like placebo effect or something,

but my heart's definitely racing

a little faster right now.

(keyboard typing)

Well, luckily the song is available on Spotify.

So, that's convenient.

Here it is.

Billie holiday, Gloomy Sunday.

(creepy music)

(breathing noisily)

Let's do it.

Let's just, let's just do it.

(breathing noisily)

(upbeat music)

Very jazzy opening.

♪ Sunday is gloomy ♪

♪ My hours are slumber less ♪

She's got a great voice.

The lyrics are haunting.

♪ Dearest, the shadows I live with are numberless ♪

That's definitely a dark way to start a song.

♪ Little white flowers will never awaken you ♪

♪ Not where the black couch of sorrow has taken you ♪

I mean, already, we're getting imagery of death.

♪ Angels have no thought of ever returning you ♪

♪ Wouldn't they be angry if I thought of joining you? ♪

Would they be angry if I thought of joining you?

I got chills.

♪ My heart and I have decided to end it all ♪

I mean, there's a direct suicide reference.

♪ Death is no dream, for in death I'm caressing you ♪

Death is no dream, for in death I'm caressing you.

Definitely a dark song.

♪ Gloomy Sunday ♪

I don't even really know where to start.

The lyrics themselves certainly live up

to the song's history.

I mean, it's, it's... I mean, for lack of a better word,

it's a gloomy song.

There's something just so, I don't know,

ominous about the song.

I don't know if it's because we just covered

the history of this song,

the legend, but it's like...

It just feels like,

It's just like this ominous feeling.

When I'm hearing her sing lines like

"little white flowers will never awaken you",

I get chills saying that, Jesus, weird.

I don't wanna seem like

I'm playing it for the cam or anything.

So, you know, to be honest, I don't,

I don't feel any like dark thoughts or sadness in me.

I'm just feeling like heeby jeebies,

that's how I'd say it, you know?

It's like that's what I'm feeling.

It's not like I'm not saying I'm feeling chills

like, something bad's about to happen.

I'm just feeling like, heeby jeebies.

But yeah, I don't know. Like when I hear lines that

"little white flowers will never awaken you",

"not where the black coach of sorrow has taken you",

I mean, it's like, I'm immediately thinking of the song,

of the history, of the deaths

and it's just...

It's spooky.

It's spooky.

(shuddering) I don't know, if I'm being honest,

my mind is sorta just kind of scattered,

just 'cause I'm just trying to find a way to interpret this.

Honestly, the song itself it's,

it's beautiful.

It's a beautiful, sad, tragic song.

There's something so tragically romantic about this song.

You know, it's like romanticizing the idea

that in death, you'll be with the one you love.

I mean, ultimately it is, it's a love song.

From its very birth, it was a song written by

a heartbroken man.

And by all counts, that's what comes across

even in this English version.

Going back to our central question,

can this song, or a song cause you to commit suicide?

As the sole cause, I would say no.

But going back to your Dr. Luzano's point,

if you are someone that's dealing with suicidal thoughts

or battling similar feelings,

I can definitely see how a song like this

could trigger something in you.

But essentially,

co-relation does not equal causation.

And I don't believe that this song or any song

can be the sole reason behind someone deciding

to commit suicide.

But, a song like this

can certainly be considered a variable in that decision.

If that makes any sense.

Ultimately, I think the song merits another listen

and I will do so.

I'll listen to the different versions of it

in different languages,

including the original Hungarian.

If you guys wanna listen to it too

and find one version that you particularly like,

shoot me a message and let me know what your reactions

and thoughts to the song are.

I'm also going to start hosting live streams

on my own YouTube channel

to supplement all the investigations I do here

on the Unsolved Network.

So, join me there next week

so we can chat live about this song together.

The very bottom line is though,

if you or someone you know,

is suffering from suicidal thoughts,

please reach out for help.

They are not alone.

You are not alone.

There are so many resources that people that want to help.

- So I would say for anyone who is having those thoughts

or those feelings leading to suicide

or having suicidal thoughts,

important thing to do is reach out, for sure.

That's number one, communicate.

You can call a hotline,

you can call a friend, you can call family

and just get connected, that's one.

Another thing that they can consider

if they're having those thoughts is

to try to break that cycle by doing something

that's caring for themselves.

Showering, cleaning, an activity that they enjoy doing.

Something that will help to kind of

give them that sort of value and self-worth they can...

They may have lost.

- Thank you very much for taking the time to watch

and come along this with me.

As always, if you have a case or something spooky

you want me to look into with all of you,

let me know.

Until then,

take care and stay safe.

(spooky music)