Frightened Rabbit singer’s portent of suicide in his lyrics
A MUSICIAN who wrote a song about suicide titled Floating in the Forth is believed to have been found dead near the same river.
Scott Hutchison’s family said their son had battled depression and wrote about his illness in the 2008 record The Midnight Organ Fight.
It features the lyrics: “And the life I’ve led, am I ready to leap? Is there peace beneath the roar of the Forth Road Bridge? … And fully clothed, I float away down the Forth, into the sea. I think I’ll save suicide for another day.”
Hutchison, 36, lead singer of Scottish indie band Frightened Rabbit, was found by police at Port Edgar marina, in the shadow of the Forth Bridge which crosses the River Forth near South Queensferry, at 8.30pm on Thursday, having been reported missing the day before.
His family have been left “utterly devastated” and described how he “battled bravely with his own issues for many years and we are immensely proud of him for being so open with his struggles”.
In a statement, Hutchison’s relatives said: “Despite his disappearance, and the recent concerns over his mental health, we had all remained positive and hopeful that he would walk back through the door, having taken some time away to compose himself.
“Scott, like many artists, wore his heart on his sleeve and that was evident in the lyrics of his music and the content of many of his social media posts. He was passionate, articulate and charismatic, as well as being one of the funniest and kindest people we knew.
“Depression is a horrendous illness that does not give you any alert or indication as to when it will take hold of you. His willingness to discuss these matters in the public domain undoubt- edly raised awareness of mental health issues and gave others confidence and belief to discuss their own issues.”
Two hours before he was last seen alive, at 1am on Wednesday, the frontman tweeted: “Be so good to everyone you love. It’s not a given. I’m so annoyed that it’s not. I didn’t live by that standard and it kills me. Please, hug your loved ones.”
Minutes later he tweeted: “I’m away now. Thanks.”
His band Frightened Rabbit also issued a statement yesterday, saying Hutchison leaves a “legacy of hope, kindness and colour”.
It read: “There are no words to describe the overwhelming sadness and pain that comes with the death of our beloved Scott, but to know he is no longer suffering brings us some comfort.”
Tributes poured in for the musician, including from Gary Lightbody from Snow Patrol, Franz Ferdinand singer Alex Kapranos, Saint Raymond and Frank Turner.
The news transcended the music industry, with Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, actor Sam Heughan and American comedian Sarah Silverman all sending messages of condolences to the late singer’s family.
‘And the life I’ve led, am I ready to leap? Is there peace beneath the roar of the Forth Road Bridge?’