The sound of vulnerability - Sam Fender on Men's Mental Health

CONTENT WARNING – Suicide/Mental health 

Throughout Sam Fender's career, he's been openly and strongly talking about men's mental health – especially when nobody else would. Fender is one of the few that are breaking through the cultural and societal barriers of keeping this topic quiet and under the rug. Sam Fender has been advocating for more people, especially those like him, who have a platform that can influence to initiate more conversations on such an unspoken topic. The topic of men's mental health is a familiar and fluent topic within the musician's discography. 

Sam Fender released 'Dead Boys' originally as a single and then again on his EP – also named 'Dead Boys' although the song also came out on his well-loved debut album 'Hypersonic Missiles' back in 2019.The song speaks on men's mental health and toxic masculinity, and the often taboo-topic of male suicide, one of the highest killers in men under the age of 45. 

We close our eyes/Learn our pain/Nobody ever could explain all the dead boys in our hometown 

These lyrics highlight how men are expected to keep their emotions to themselves, and how intensely it can affect a person. Showing listeners how things can end up for someone if they don’t open up - which is one of the many reasons so many more people should advocate and influence people to open up, and that it is okay to. These unrealistic expectations of men need to be forgotten, and quickly. 

Fender wrote 'Dead Boys' as a reaction and way to express the grief he carried  from losing one of his close friends to suicide. Although the song actually wasn’t ever written to be released; Sam had many doubts on releasing the tune in fears he would be seen as 'capitalising on a tragedy', but after playing it for his internal team which provoked his colleagues to start opening up and share their own stories and experiences with mental health in men it made Fender realise the songs importance and decided it was something he should put out for the world to hear. 

When speaking to NME back in 2018, Sam explained: 

"I genuinely think it’s toxic masculinity and the idea of what a man is supposed to be. This really archaic, out of date idea of how a man is supposed to conduct himself. I think that’s what kills men, genuinely." 

Yet, 'Dead Boys' isn't the only time Sam uses his music to speak on toxic masculinity and men's mental health. He speaks up during songs like 'Alright' / 'The Dying Light' / 'Spit of You and 'Friday Fighting'. Fender often uses a metaphor of 'The black dog' within his song writing to express mental health. 

Sam Fender has a special way of writing though, his music isn't just a song or an album, it helps his fans connect and reflect. His songs create a space for fans to feel and hear, helping people feel less alone in their struggles. Fender is a voice for his fans, to express and connect with their thoughts and feelings instead of pushing them down and keeping them out of the light. 

Seventeen Going Under – Fenders second album, also carries the weight of emotional turmoil, the second record a little more personal to Sam as he wrote it when attending therapy and reflecting on his youth. 

The album holds a track 'The Dying Light', the song talks about the troubles of battling thoughts of suicide. The song connects deeply with many fans; making people feel understood and seen. Sam Fender is a master of capturing raw emotion and honest vulnerability, his songs carry a certain feel of emotions that everyone can relate to.  

Fender's advocacy is embedded in every lyric, shining a light on the struggles so many men find difficult to open up on. His work and courage to speak the truth has sparked an important conversation, one that is still growing and hopefully leads to a healthier, more open generation of men. Though it also influences others to revaluate how they support the men they are surrounded with and their struggles, helping people encourage others to speak out and open up. 

In the end, Sam Fender's music does more than just echo the struggles men often learn to hide – he gives those struggles a language. By turning his own personal narratives and experiences into music with emotion that can be shared, he breaks the silence that keeps so many men isolated. His songs continue to remind us that vulnerability isn't weakness, if anything its powerful and a step forward to healing.