Anxiety is best described as nervousness when uncertainty is afoot. Social anxiety disorder is the most common type. It affects 15 million adults nationwide in the United States, which is 6.8% of the country’s population.
Given how difficult it can be to deal with the symptoms, people often listen to songs as a means of self-therapy. Here is our list of songs about anxiety that will make you feel less alone when you listen to them.
1. “Anxiety” by Anna Clendening
Song Year: 2019
Anna Clendening sings about a lover she desperately wants to let go of to move on with life. However, she feels anxiety about making the change in her life that she needs for her mental health.
The singer feels alone without this love, but the relationship is not working out for that dream to happen. Even the therapy sessions she attends are not making it easier to let her lover go.
2. “Paralyzed” by NF
Song Year: 2015
NF somberly melodizes paralysis that occurs because of anxiety and depression. He questions the whereabouts of his feelings and searches for himself throughout the song. Highlighting that he is afraid to live but feels the same about dying, NF shows how he is searching for a balance to survive life.
3. “Silence” by Marshmello Featuring Khalid
Song Year: 2017
Marshmello provides the psychedelic music while Khalid artfully sings about how silence befalls the song narrator because he is having emotional trouble creating relationships. Anxiety sets in as he is uncomfortable with keeping silent because of the inability to tap into emotions to make a relationship happen.
Throughout the song, the narrator stays quiet because of fear of taking the next step forward. In the end, the song narrator finally breaks the silence to take the first step in developing a relationship.
4. “Anxiety” by blackbear Featuring FRND
Song Year: 2017
The artists, blackbear and FRND, discuss their anxiety with the girls they’re dating. As they think about their lovers, they feel anxious when not in their presence.
They continue to seek closure throughout the song even as they show fake smiles to their lovers. Both artists do not want to let their lovers go. While the song does not highlight why the girls give the boys anxiety, they have an issue within themselves as to why they feel this nervousness.
5. “Breathin” by Ariana Grande
Song Year: 2018
Ariana Grande released this song after the Manchester bombing occurred during one of her tours. While she has generally experienced anxiety, she contracted PTSD from that bombing incident.
She feels dizzy when thinking about her anxiety or if she is experiencing it at the moment. Those who know about her anxiety in the song suggest she gets medication for it. Grande recognizes that all she can do is breathe to get through the anxiety.
6. “Basket Case” by Green Day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUTGr5t3MoY
Song Year: 1994
Billie Joe Armstrong highlights his anxiety disorder. Before he was diagnosed with panic disorder, he released this song as an outlet. In the song, he wants to whine about his anxiety. However, others tell him not to bore his girlfriend with those details. The anxiety is so bad that he freaks himself out because of his everyday emotions.
7. “Rose-Colored Boy” by Paramore
Song Year: 2017
Hayley Williams sings about how she is usually not an optimistic person like the boy discussed in the song. As she removes her rose-colored glasses, she recognizes her habit of crying out her emotions when anxious rather than being optimistic like the boy.
Crying it out makes her feel better rather than looking on the bright side. The song is more upbeat than the music usually used to discuss the subject.
8. “Happy Little Pill” by Troye Sivan
Song Year: 2014
Troye wrote and performed this song in tribute to a close friend experiencing depression and anxiety at the time. The happy little pill is the antidepressant that his friend was taking to feel the emotion and escape the numbness.
He highlights how his friend has to purchase happiness via antidepressants. Sivan highlights the difficulties of finding true happiness as his friend endures the constant nervousness that comes with depression.
9. “The Blackest Day” by Lana Del Rey
Song Year: 2015
Lana sadly melodizes the anxiety she experiences enduring an unexpected breakup. The lyrics highlight the five stages of grief. She is in denial as she isolates herself to try to heal from the tragic event when she sings the first verse.
The bridge shows her strong sense of anger while the chorus discusses depression. In the second verse, she attempts bargaining to get the relationship back. In the end, she recognizes that she is on her own.
10. “Anxiety” by B-Mike
Song Year: 2018
The narrator does not practice self-care and always puts others before himself. Instead, he tells his therapist that the pain medicines and antidepressants do not work to lessen his anxiety.
There is a conversation between the narrator and a therapist where he wants more medications, but the therapist asks about his feelings to discover why he wants the medicine. The lyrics delve into deeper and darker emotions as he contemplates pulling the trigger of a gun to commit suicide.
11. “Control” by Halsey
Song Year: 2015
Halsey reveals her feelings of anxiety from her bipolar disorder diagnosis in her teen years. As she navigates this anxiety, she wonders if she is really in control of her mind or if another entity has taken the wheel.
She is scared to delve into the thoughts in her mind that make her feel dark and lonely. She recognizes the foes in her mind and how low self-esteem triggers her anxiety.
12. “Afraid” by The Neighbourhood
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LILL0AV0938
Song Year: 2013
Jesse from The Neighbourhood cries out in this song as he is uncertain about the future. He also feels like his friends are not being honest with him and talking about him behind his back.
In general, he feels he feels replaceable and unloved. He wants to find solace in his skin and feels a good night’s sleep can help him reset from his anxiety. Deep down, he wants to die, but Jesse fights to accept himself even through the dishonesty from his friends.
13. “I’m Not Okay” by My Chemical Romance
Song Year: 2004
The song shows a friendship between a male and a female. This male is the song narrator. The female tries to ask the song narrator for advice on issues she is having with her boyfriend. One of the problems is how he takes dirty pictures of her and shares them with his circle.
Her male friend is trying to tell her that he has internal confusion and anxiety. He cries out that he feels lost because the general society does not accept him, and is attempting to find himself.
14. “This Is Me Trying” by Taylor Swift
Song Year: 2020
Taylor Swift talks about how she feels she is the reason for relationship problems, which causes resentment and anxiety in herself. Throughout the song, she turns to alcohol to cope with the deep-seated emotions. She isolates herself and feels scared of what is to come through this time of uncertainty.
15. “Lose You To Love Me” by Selena Gomez
Song Year: 2019
Selena Gomez touches on the anxieties of a breakup to find her true self. The song is a nod to her turbulent relationship with Justin Beiber.
Gomez had to form hatred toward Beiber to start loving herself again. The difficulties in the relationship caused her to lose herself. Her soulful lyrics highlight her journey towards self-love to better herself as an individual.
16. “Laugh Now Cry Later” by Drake
Song Year: 2020
Drake sings about living life to the fullest and handling anxieties and pain while being alone. He says that sometimes he is not sure where he physically is because of what is sometimes on his mind.
Anxiety shows itself in the song lyrics without being directly said because Drake buries it as he has fun with his life. He confronts the deep-seated feelings only when he is by himself.
17. “I Can’t Breathe” by Bea Miller
Song Year: 2017
Bea Miller melancholily sings that she feels she cannot function because of her anxieties. With thoughts she feels are not her own and thinking she is missing something in herself, Miller is battling with troubling emotions.
She attempts to take her mind away from the anxiety. However, she hates to admit that she feels broken on the inside.
18. “Anxiety” by Julia Michaels Featuring Ariana Grande
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q33DvcjXA7M
Song Year: 2019
Julia Michaels opens up about her anxieties through the years. Selena Gomez chimed in to emphasize the message. Her ex-boyfriend remarks that she is a difficult person. Her friends do not understand the depth of her anxieties.
Throughout the song, she notes that doctors suggest she takes medicine for her anxiety and insomnia. She feels that medication would not work to cure what she is feeling. Michaels battles the many thoughts surging through her mind to put her anxiety at ease.
19. “The Doctor Said” by Chloe Adams
Song Year: 2017
Chloe Adams battles anxiety and depression as she experiences insomnia and deep-seated thoughts that keep her awake at night. Doctors prescribe her antidepressants that improve her mood. Her parents and the doctors say that she is fine.
Despite the support that she receives, Adams still feels alone. The depression does not go away because no one understands the true struggle of what is going on in her mind.
20. “24/7” by Kehlani
Song Year: 2016
Kehlani reflects on the anxiety and depression that hospitalized her during the year she released this song. She mentions that it is okay to feel sad sometimes. She mentions sadness and anxiety may mean not wanting to rise from bed.
The song acknowledges that she does not know a person that smiles at others every day and minute. Kehlani melodies confidently that confronting your pain will help you move forward.
21. “Stressed Out” by A Tribe Called Quest Featuring Faith Evans and Consequence
Song Year: 1996
A Tribe Called Quest collaborates with R&B great Faith Evans with the help of Consequence to rap about the fight to remain optimistic despite enduring anxiety and adversities of daily life. One theme is attempting to evade trouble, but it finds the singers.
The lyrics also highlight how uncertainty causes anxiety and stress. In the end, the group accepts that they will make it through their current struggles.
22. “I Feel Like Dying” by Lil Wayne
Song Year: 2007
Lil Wayne highlights his drug addiction and how it pushed him over the edge with depression and anxiety. He describes how he feels like he is in jail because of taking Xanax. The rapper depended on the drug to help him cope.
His truthful and transparent account let other rappers know that discussing mental health and addiction is ok to do in rap songs. There is much vulnerability highlighted that helps Lil Wayne to admit his troubles and move forward.
23. “Losing My Mind” by Pharoahe Monch Featuring Denaun Porter
Song Year: 2014
Pharoahe Monch is not afraid to discuss his PTSD in this song from the album of the same name of the disorder. Not many African Americans admit that they need therapy to improve their mental health as he highlights in the song lyrics.
As he recorded this song, Monch was struggling with depression. This is why his words are so vivid and relatable on how clocks and time glasses do not have their time-keeping features because he feels like time is escaping from him.
24. “I Don’t Care” by Ed Sheeran Featuring Justin Bieber
Song Year: 2019
Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber artfully collaborate to show social anxieties that occur at parties. They highlight how a special person can make them feel better about attending the social function even with the said anxiety.
At first, the men wanted to leave the party because of that social anxiety. However, being at their special person’s side makes all the world of difference in staying and trying to enjoy the party.
25. “Friends” by J. Cole
Song Year: 2018
Throughout the song, J. Cole is talking with his alter ego as he attempts to find his true self again. The pre-chorus is when he tells himself not to take medications because of his anxiety and depression.
Rather than medicating, he sings that meditating is a great alternative to getting back to himself. He acknowledges how there are thoughts he cannot control as he continues to smoke, drink, and get high to cope with his feelings.
26. “Paranoid” by Post Malone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Er-Jko8nD3c
Song Year: 2018
Post Malone navigates his doubt and uncertainties as becomes more famous. He rises from bed daily with anxieties that are on his mind.
He desires his friends to only be safe. Malone feels that people are coming for him and his friends. This may be a nod to when his prior Los Angeles home was burglarized during the same year he released this song.
27. “Fake Smiles” by Phora
Song Year: 2016
Phora vents about his battles with anxiety, depression, suicide, and oppression throughout his life. The song discusses that while everyone smiles, everyone has something to hide behind that smile.
Whether trauma, weakness, or a secret, smiles are usually not genuine. He feels like he does not know who he is anymore as he has lost touch with who he is as people tried killing him throughout his life and seeing men beat his mother.
28. “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind” by Logic
Song Year: 2019
Logic delves into how being famous has affected his mental health. He contemplates committing suicide because of his anxieties about authorities in the music industry, fans, and other figures closely watching and judging him.
He relents how he and other rappers get high and overdose in their homes because of judgment from the public eye. Logic concludes that leaving your ego behind and practicing self-love is the solution to these anxieties.
29. “Love Game” by Tyga
Song Year: 2012
Tyga tells the story of being in a challenging relationship with a woman. They continually fight, but he wants to try to work it out so that he can stay with his lover. He feels anxiety as he experiences nightmares from their disagreements. Tyga concludes that while he may want to move on from the constant fighting, he has strong feelings for his lover.
30. “Doubt” by Twenty-One Pilots
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skX_7yUFa98
Song Year: 2015
In discussion with God, the song narrator shows his anxieties and insecurities. He asks God not to forget about him as he navigates this life, even when he may doubt Him. While talking with the darker parts of this soul, he knows he has to stay on God’s course.
31. “Losin Control” by Russ
Song Year: 2015
A song narrator is a man talking about his ex-girlfriend that is haunted by her past abusive relationship. Her current boyfriend is trying to tell her that he is not like the previous man that hurt her and did not treat her right. Eventually, she falls in love with the new boyfriend and moves on from the anxiety and trauma of her previous relationship.
32. “Righteous” by Juice WRLD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZengOKCUBHo
Song Year: 2020
Juice WRLD highlights his anxieties from rising to fame while also handling drug addiction. He compares his anxiety to a large planet in space. The rapper fights his demons in an animated portion later in the official video. It was the first song released posthumously that benefitted the Live Free 999 organization.
33. “Crawling” by Linkin Park
Song Year: 2001
Lead singer Chester Bennington rocks on and screams out how he feels about his anxieties. Something inside him is unexplainable besides labeling it as insecurity. Wounds from his past depression and fear have not healed for him to move forward. He cannot tell the difference between what is in his mind versus the reality happening around him.
34. “Broken” by Seether Featuring Amy
Song Year: 2002
Seether and Amy narrate how it feels to be broken in a relationship gone awry. The chorus details how the couple feels broken regardless of how strong or lonely they feel. They sing about the anxieties of having to move on even though they would desire to stay together and work out what is broken.
35. “Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart” by Alicia Keys
Song Year: 2009
Alicia Keys endures the anxieties of a breakup, experiencing being newly single and having to sleep alone in her bed for the first time in a long time. She has to find a way to get used to being alone while holding onto the memories of her ex-boyfriend.
36. “Sick of It” by Skillet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHzU-9iozmo
Song Year: 2013
Skillet rocks out to show they can rise above suicide, anxiety, sadness, and other living entities that bog them down. Most of the song consists of shouting the title repeatedly to show how anxiety can be sickening after a while. Taking the stand to eliminate anxiety is the first step to satisfaction.
37. “Wrecked” by Imagine Dragons
Song Year: 2021
The narrator in this Imagine Dragons song is anxious as he is having trouble escaping from his late sister-in-law being on his mind. This narrator is telling his deceased sister-in-law that he is saddened that she is no longer around and continues to feel the anxiety of enduring the grief of losing her so suddenly to cancer.
38. “Heavy” by Linkin Park Featuring Kiiara
Song Year: 2017
The heaviness of self-inflicted emotional anxiety is touched on in this duet with Chester Bennington and Kiiara. They both recognize that there is more to worry about than the emotions they feel, but how they feel is something that they cannot let go of. The narrators realize that they are responsible for their anxieties and their response to them.
39. “Unpretty” by TLC
Song Year: 1999
TLC sings about different stories about women changing to fit societal standards, which causes them sadness and anxiety. The girls in the story are stigmatized to receive plastic surgery, putting on makeup to enhance their beauty, or getting skinnier to fit a specific jeans size. The trio professes self-love to remove those anxieties of attempting to be perfect.
40. “Unsteady” by X Ambassadors
Song Year: 2015
The song’s narrator touches on how a child is enduring a breakup between his parents. He acknowledges both sides of the situation. However, while he feels anxious about the outcome and only wants the best, he stays strong through the transition.
41. “Dancing On My Own” by Calum Scott
Song Year: 2016
Calum Scott sings about the anxieties of enduring a breakup and seeing his ex-lover kiss her new suitor. He would rather stand in a corner on the dance floor and watch his ex-lover dance as he dances alone. The main reason for this is to get the closure he needs by saying goodbye.
42. “Blurry” by Puddle of Mudd
Song Year: 2001
Wes Scantlin, the lead singer of Puddle of Mudd, highlights the challenges he faced as the son of his parents. He accepts the pain that his parents gave him. Even with his anxieties, he asks his parents if they can take away the bad that he made him experience as a child.
43. “In My Blood” by Shawn Mendes
Song Year: 2018
Shawn Mendes instantly asks for help at the song’s start, wondering why he is feeling so anxious and run down. Mendes concludes that it is not within his blood to give up so easily, even with all the emotions he is feeling. All he desires is someone to guide him through his anxieties.
Top Songs About Anxiety, Final Thoughts
Anxiety can surface for many reasons, including failed relationships, drug addiction, or self-doubt. Each song resents their way of handling anxiety to power through their struggles.
Whether practicing optimism or having to take medicine to elevate your mood, there are multiple avenues for reducing anxiety in your life. Of course, there will always be uncertainty because we will not know what life has for us until it happens.