Withered and Died
Song DNA
Misophonia Triggers
A melancholic folk ballad written by Richard Thompson and sung by Linda Thompson, depicting resignation and lost dreams in a cruel world.
Hear it the way it was made
The right gear changes everything.
Moods: melancholy, reflective
Traditions: folk
How this song sits on each sensory axis
A dynamic range of 4/10 is within the normal pop-mix band. There is variation between verse and chorus, but it's the kind of variation most listeners encounter routinely.
Sudden changes: none. Transitions are musically signaled — nothing will surprise you if you're only half-listening.
Texture: smooth.
Predictability is high — the song telegraphs what it will do next. A sensory-sensitive listener can usually guess where it's going without close attention.
Vocal style: soft vocals.
Where this sits in Richard Thompson's catalog
We have 12 songs from Richard Thompson in the library. Of those, 4 are rated Safe, 8 Moderate, and 0 Intense. This song's dynamic range of 4/10 sits below the artist average of 5.4, making it the #10 most dynamic track of theirs in our library.
Other tracks from I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight
We have 2 songs from this album. Overall, the album leans moderate in sensory profile.
- Down Where the Drunkards Roll — moderate DR 6
1974 context
Released in 1974. We have 176 songs from that year in our library, averaging a dynamic range of 6.4/10. This track is quieter / less dynamic than the year average. Explore more from the 1970s.
Explore by mood and tradition
Why this rating
We rate this song Safe because its dynamic range stays within our low-variance band, there are no unsignaled changes, and the texture and vocal style are both in the low-fatigue range. Our methodology uses an AND rule for Safe — a song has to clear every dimension to earn the rating.
Rating last reviewed: 2026-04-14. Reviewed by the Music I Want editorial team against the documented methodology.
Think this rating is wrong? Email the editor — every message is read and ratings get revised.
Frequently asked about "Withered and Died"
Quick answers pulled from the song's sensory analysis.
What is the sensory intensity of "Withered and Died" by Richard Thompson?
"Withered and Died" by Richard Thompson rates as Low-Intensity. Dynamic range 4/10, no sudden changes, smooth texture. Our Low-Intensity rating means no single dimension triggers the higher-intensity thresholds.
How loud is "Withered and Died" — what is its dynamic range?
"Withered and Died" has a dynamic range of 4/10. Within normal pop-mix variation. Movement between verse and chorus but nothing dramatic.
Does "Withered and Died" have sudden or surprising changes?
No. "Withered and Died" has no sudden unsignaled changes. Every transition is musically telegraphed.
What is "Withered and Died" best for?
In our library "Withered and Died" is recommended for: deep listening, relaxation. These tags are assigned only where the song's sensory profile genuinely supports the use case.
When was "Withered and Died" released?
"Withered and Died" is from 1974, on the album "I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight". It appears in our 1970s catalog.
What is the emotional mood of "Withered and Died"?
We tag "Withered and Died" as melancholy, reflective. Moods are tonal descriptors based on how the song reads emotionally — separate from the sensory intensity axes.
What is the vocal style of "Withered and Died"?
The vocal style is soft vocals.
Should I listen to "Withered and Died"?
If you want gentle, low-arousal music, "Withered and Died" is a solid pick — Low-Intensity across every sensory dimension.
Songs with the same DNA
smooth texture, similar intensity — across any genre or era.
What this song means to people
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