"Suicide is Painless" is a song by Johnny Mandel (music) and Mike Altman (lyrics), which is mostly known for being featured in both the movie and TV series M*A*S*H.

The movie features a scene that begins when a dentist nicknamed "Painless" declares his intention to commit suicide, and the song is sung during the scene. An instrumental version of the song was used as the theme of the TV series, in which Painless never appeared.

First released in 1970, it belatedly became a number one hit in the UK in 1980 after being championed by BBC Radio 1 DJ Noel Edmonds. It has also been covered by Marilyn Manson and also by Manic Street Preachers, whose version, released as a charity single in aid of The Spastics Society (now SCOPE) was their first UK top ten hit.

The refrain is well-known:

Suicide is painless,

It brings on many changes,

And I can take or leave it if I please

See also

• List of songs about suicide

External links

Suicide is Painless