Revisiting My Dark Places - Stiff Little Fingers

(2017 Reissue Cover)

My Dark Places - Stiff Little Fingers
from the album
No Going Back
Rigid Digits
Released 2014
Reissued as 2CD set on Ear Music 2017

I wanted to follow up the piece I just posted regarding the Springsteen song, 'This Depression' by returning to a song that I have over the past few years shared on this blog and I hope that you are not fed up with me mentioning it again!

The reason I thought I should post this one again is that unlike the Springsteen song, which doesn't really go into any great details regarding the impact of Depression upon a life, this one written by Jake Burns and performed by Stiff Little Fingers does.

I don't think I need to give a running commentary on the lyrics (see below) as they are pretty clear at what Jake Burns was wishing to communicate with the song. 

I love the fact that SLF have been speaking about this issue now for many years and that the song 'My Dark Places' sits in their set as one of their finest songs to date and that pretty much every night they hit the stage that Jake takes time to talk about Depression before they unleash the song.

If you need help with issues relating to Depression please speak to your Doctor or even one of the many helplines that are available in many countries that are dedicated to helping people in times of trouble.

If you live in the UK here is a link that provides some information regarding such helplines and agencies. CLICK HERE.

(Original Release Cover)

Acoustic Version


My Dark Places - Jake Burns
Well it cuts just like a knife
Takes away your love of life
Puts out your fire and leaves you in the ashes
And you lay there in the hole
What you loved now leaves you cold
It's hard to get the strength to face the morning
Somedays you really feel like hiding
Somedays you you swear you'll never go out anymore

And I'm not going back
I'm not going back to my dark places
And I'm not going back
I'm not going back to my dark places

Well the days drag slowly by
All you want to do is cry
Nothing makes sense nothing has a reason
And the world is not the same
And you're the one to blame
Before too long you feel just like a prisoner
Some days you really feel like screaming
Some days you swear you'll never smile anymore
And I'm not going back
I'm not going back to my dark places
And I'm not going back
I'm not going back to my dark places

It's something they can't see yet it seems so real to me
Can't explain just how I feel when what I feel is no emotion
It's not a tragedy, yet that's how it seems to me
I wish you could see or even for one minute be me

Well, I got there in the end
With the help of many friends
Some who helped by simply just believing
And the days look brighter now
yet I know someday, somehow
I could end up back there in an instant
Some days I really feel like laughing
Some days I realise I must stay on my guard

And I'm not going back
I'm not going back to my dark places
And I'm not going back
I'm not going back to my dark places

Live At Glasgow Barrowlands
from the album
'Best Served Loud'