Music is something that always has the power to change my mood. There are certain artists I listen to when I’m feeling specific emotions, and it can pump me up on the way to an event or calm me down during a fit of anxiety. There are countless research studies of how music affects our psychology and physiology, so I figure it’s pretty important to make sure that we’re surrounding ourselves with the kind of music that we want to emulate. If our music is positive, it will make it easier for us to be positive people. Remember that positive thinking isn’t a magic fix, but it isn’t bullshit either.
Today I’m going to share my ten favorite songs about self love, complete with videos and my favorite lyrics. After that you can find a list of forty more songs to help you practice self love, and a link to a playlist I made for you compiling all fifty together, so lay back and enjoy!
1. “Freckles” by Natasha Bedingfield
“I wondered if I could trade my body with somebody else in magazines / Would the whole world fall at my feet?
Sometimes I still feel like the little girl who doesn’t belong in her own world / But I’m getting better and I’m reminding myself”
Lots of Natasha’s music has a very upbeat theme to it, about making the most out of your life, but this one specifically talks about overcoming self doubt and embracing your imperfections.
2. “Video” by India Arie
Iâm not the average girl from your video / And I ainât built like a supermodel
But I learned to love myself unconditionally, Because I am a queen”
India Arie is kind of the musical self love goddess you’ve been searching for. If you’re not familiar with her, I strongly recommend going on a Google Deep Dive this evening. She is utterly real, and sends no apologies for it.
3. “You Learn” by Alanis Morissette
“You live you learn / You love you learn / You cry you learn / You lose you learn / You bleed you learn / You scream you learn”
I’ve just always loved the message acceptance and the importance of trying that this song sends. Always keep going, even if you fuck up, because you’re always learning.
4. “Transgender Dysphoria Blues” by Against Me!
“You’ve got no cunt in your strut / You’ve got no hips to shake / And you know it’s obvious / But we can’t choose how we’re made”
I’ve actually written an entire article about Laura Jane Grace of Against Me! and how she connects to the topic of self love as someone who experienced transgender dysphoria, and this song is kind of the culmination of all of that at once.
5. “Unstoppable” by Kerrie Roberts
“Be strong, be brave, be beautiful / One of these days you’ll have it all / If you believe you can”
This song just screams of optimism and positivity about oneself and I love it!
6. “I Feel Beautiful” by Fantasia
“Nothing you can do to me / Could take away my right to feel Beautiful”
This song is all about standing back up and loving yourself first when others try to knock you down. It’s empowering as all hell.
7. “Who Says” by Selena Gomez + The Scene
“When it comes to me / I wouldn’t want to be anybody else”
This is probably the most teeny bopper song on this list, but that’s kind of the reason I chose it for the top ten. I’m really into the fact that self love is being preached to the masses on the Top 40. It’s not the most inspiring message of the bunch, and focuses a little bit too much on rhyming, but I’m so glad its message of only ever wanting to be yourself was widespread.
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8. “Dancing On My Own” by Robyn
“I’m giving it my all, but I’m not the girl you’re taking home / So I keep dancing on my own”
This song isn’t a classic message of self love, but it’s helped me many times. It’s a really important message for anyone who is out there trying to find romantic love and hasn’t yet. You don’t need anyone else, just yourself. So keep dancing, gorgeous. Dance all night long.
9. “Who You Are” by Jessie J
“It’s okay not to be okay. / Sometimes it’s hard to follow your heart. / Tears don’t mean you’re losing, everybody’s bruising, / Just be true to who you are!”
This song is a great reminder that you can still be experiencing mental pain and anguish while practicing self love. It’s okay to not be the best version of yourself yet, you’re on a journey just like everyone else!
10. “Sexy And I Know It” by LMFAO
“I’m sexy and I know it.”
And the last one, just for fun, is this ridiculous song by a band who used an internet acronym as their name. The whole song actually borders on pompous, obnoxious, and narcissistic, but it’s okay to be a little full of yourself sometimes, babe! Put on your favorite outfit and strut your hot self outside. You ARE sexy. Own it.
Here’s 40 more songs to check out!
11. “Titanium” by David Guetta featuring Sia
12. “Stronger” by Kelly Clarkson
13. “I Love Myself Today” – Bif Naked
14. “Unpretty” by TLC
15. “Brave” by Sara Bareilles
16. “Express Yourself” by Madonna
17. “Everybody Is A Star” by Sly And The Family Stone
18. “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus
19. “Roar” by Katy Perry
20. “Bulletproof” by La Roux
21. “Born This Way” by Lady Gaga
22. “I’m Real” by J. Lo + Ja Rule
23. “Greatest Love Of All” by Whitney Houston
24. “Shine” by Anna Nalick
25. “Hero” by Mariah Carey
26. “That’s Why You’re Beautiful” by Beyonce
27. “Hold Your Head Up” by Argent
28. “I Am Not My Hair” by India Arie
29. “Pocketfull Of Sunshine” by Natasha Bedingfield
30. “Superwoman” by Alicia Keys
31. “We R Who We R” by Ke$ha
32. “Beautiful” by Christina Aguilera
33. “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor
34. “I Am Not A Robot” by Marina And The Diamonds
35. “Miss Independent” by Ne-Yo
36. “Extraordinary Machine” by Fiona Apple
37. “Gold” by Britt Nicole
38. “I Love Myself” by Kendrick Lamar
39. “Fuckin’ Perfect” by Pink
40. “Firework” by Katy Perry
41. “What Makes You Beautiful” by One Direction
42. “I Believe I Can Fly” by R. Kelly
43. “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift
44. “Can’t Hold Us Down” by Christina Aguilera
45. “Love Me For Me” by Ashlee Simpson
46. “All I Do Is Win” by DJ Kahled
47. “Not So Average” by V. Rose
48. “Flawless” by Beyonce
49. “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield
50. “Float On” by Modest Mouse
Listen to this playlist on 8 Tracks! Or on Spotify!
On a self love kick? Good! Here are 40 quotes about self love for you to fill your life with.
I would love to hear your input, and more songs you can think of that promote self love! According to WaveAdvice, you have all the music you’ll ever need! What do you listen to that makes you feel empowered, that boosts your self-esteem and confidence? Share in the comments!Â
Photo Credit: Maura Housley Photography
I adore “I’m No Heroine” by Ani diFranco. I have loved her since school years and she generally imroves my self-esteem and makes me feel strong and powerful. And “Not a Pretty Girl” is really good, too đ
Excellent! I love Ani. I’ll have to make sure I know these two songs and really listen to the lyrics!
FYI I made a playlist on Spotify (link now at the bottom of this post next to the 8 Tracks one) and added your suggestions!
“Free to Be Me” by Francesca Battistelli
“Do Life Big” by Jamie Grace
“Try” by Colbie Caillat
“Compass” by Lady Antebellum
“Nothing More” by The Alternate Routes
“Here for A Reason” by Ashes Remain
“Marvelous Light” by Ellie Holcomb
“Tell the World” by Eric Hutchinson
“Fight Song” by Rachel Platten
“Fly” by Maddie & Tae
“Who I Am” by Blanca
“I Lived” by One Republic
Look at you! I’ll check all these out.
FYI I made a playlist on Spotify (link now at the bottom of this post next to the 8 Tracks one) and added your suggestions!
What about “Secrets” by Mary Lambert?
FYI I made a playlist on Spotify (link now at the bottom of this post next to the 8 Tracks one) and added your suggestion!
Joey McIntyre – Stay the Same are good too.
“Don’t you ever say, you don’t like the way you are, when you learn to love yourself, you’d better off by far.”
Thanks for the recommendation, Amanda!
Thank you so much Maura!!!
I have created a Facebook page where I am posting self-love songs and this list has been very useful for that. I will comment your page in one of the post as a way to thank you for this wonderful post.
My Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/loveyourselfmusic/
It is only one person doing it so far, so I don’t post songs as often as I would like it. But I hope that changes. Otherwise I will have to stop this little project.
Have a wonderful day!!
Nai
Hi Nai!
That’s awesome, babe! PS – I’m Mary, my photographer is Maura. đ Happy Thursday!
hello how are you
I AM UNSTOPPABLE – SIA
I have a Spotify playlist called Just Be Beautiful You. My account name is iloveace2015 if anyone wants to follow and listen to it.
https://open.spotify.com/user/iloveace2015/playlist/3BuN5KD6LnzlUo3FCyTRbp?si=8OGhcF3YQguR93DtZkDLhQ