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Although I’ve lived with mental illness my whole life, I am not a medical professional. If you need help finding a mental health care provider, call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or visit BetterHelp to talk to a certified therapist online at an affordable price. This post contains affiliate links. You can read my full disclaimer.
If you don’t know me, music is a huge passion of mine. I’m always listening to it, dancing to it, or making up my own. Music is my therapy.
I’ve talked quite a bit about music and particular songs that help my different mental illnesses on my blog. I wrote out my depression playlist, as well as my anxiety playlist. I’ve even written about 15 songs to listen to if you’re in a relationship with someone who has troubles with their mental health.
Today, I’ll be giving you my top 10 musicians who create music about mental health. I can’t even begin to tell you how many times I have turned to these musicians in my life.
Top 10 Musicians Who Sing About Mental Health
1. SUPERCHICK
When I first started recognizing my symptoms of depression, I discovered Superchick. They have so many amazing songs about various mental health issues, and I will always return to their music time and time again.
Top songs:
- Breathe: “Each breath breathed means we’re alive”
- Stand in the Rain: “Alone in this fight with herself and her fears”
- Beauty From Pain: “My whole world is the pain inside me”
2. SHERYL CROW
Sheryl Crow has been open to the world about her struggles with depression, and she’s written many masterpieces regarding the subject.
Top songs:
- Strong Enough: “When I’m broken down, and I can’t stand”
- I Shall Believe: “Please say honestly you won’t give up on me”
- Everyday is a Winding Road: “I get a little bit closer to feeling fine”
3. LINKIN PARK
I used to listen to Linkin Park’s Meteora album on repeat when I was in my early teens. They have so many different styles of music all rolled into one, which makes their music
Top songs:
- Crawling: “There’s something inside me that pulls beneath the surface”
- Numb: “I’ve become so numb, I can’t feel you there”
- Easier to Run: “It’s so much easier to go than face all this pain here alone”
4. FLYLEAF
If you like strong female leads in a heavy rock group, then Flyleaf is your kind of band. They are a Christian rock band, but anyone can connect with with their music.
Top songs:
- Sorrow: “Sorrow lasts through this night”
- Fully Alive: “She’s glad for one day of comfort”
- I’m So Sick: “Let me live without this empty bliss”
5. EVANESCENCE
Here we’ve got another strong female vocalist. Evanescence is an incredibly haunting atmosphere to their music, and the lyrics are created with elements of pure poetry.
Top songs:
- Bring Me to Life: “Where I’ve become so numb, without a soul”
- Tourniquet: “I tried to kill the pain but only brought more”
- Lithium: “I want to stay in love with my sorrow”
6. THREE DAYS GRACE
Three Days Grace is an alternative metal band that sings a lot of songs about depression and individual turmoil.
Top songs:
- Animal I Have Become: “I can’t escape this hell”
- Never Too Late: “Still I hear you say you want to end your life”
- Life Starts Now: “You’ve done all the things that could kill you somehow”
7. SAGE FRANCIS
Sage Francis is the complete opposite of mainstream hip hop. Any time I listen to any of his music, I am completely mesmerized by his way with words.
Top songs:
- Broken Wings: “She’s a fairy with broken wings”
- Hell of a Year: “It’s been a hell of a year, but I’m mentally prepared”
- Going Back to Rehab: “I’m going in with razor cuts and something ugly that I know within.”
8. CROSSFADE
Chances are you haven’t heard of Crossfade, so you should stop what you’re doing and listen to them right now. Nearly every one of their songs have influences of mental health, which make them such an amazing band.
Top songs:
- So Far Away: “I’ve been saved with sun shining on my pain”
- Dead Skin: “When I’m awake I can taste how bitter I’ve become”
- Washing the World Away: “This pain could all be over if I just blinked an eye”
9. PAPA ROACH
If you’re into music that leans towards heavy metal, you’ll love Papa Roach. They sing a lot about addiction, so if you struggle with one or know someone who does, this is the band for you.
Top songs:
- Scars: “I tear my heart open, I sew myself shut”
- I Devise My Own Demise: “Here’s to the life I’m losing”
- My Heart is a Fist: “My soul will fight again”
10. STAIND
Staind sings a lot of songs about depression, addiction, and death. They will always hold a special place in my heart.
Top songs:
- It’s Been Awhile: “I’ve stretched myself beyond my means”
- So Far Away: “This is my life, it’s not what it was before”
- Epiphany: “Cause it’s always raining in my head”
Which musicians do you relate to the most?
Related songs:
- 17 Songs That Help Me When I’m Feeling Depressed and Suicidal
- 10 Empowering Songs About Self-Acceptance
- 8 Songs to Listen to When You’re Fighting Depression
- 15 Love Songs About Dealing With Mental Illnesses
More Recommendations:
1. ONLINE THERAPY
Better Help is the largest online counseling platform worldwide. It makes professional counseling available anytime, anywhere, through a computer, tablet or smartphone.
2. RESILIENT BIG EBOOK BUNDLE
In the Resilient Big Bundle, you’ll get 6 amazing personal development products, such as 30 Day Negativity Detox and Figure Out Your Life. All of these together would cost over $120 if you purchased them separately, but you’ll get a big discount if you get the whole bundle.
3. MENTAL HEALTH JOURNAL GUIDES
Rose Minded created three 52 week Mental Health Journal Guides. You can pick from anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. In the guides, you can find weekly gratitude, emotional intelligence, self-care prompts. Use the code meagan15 to get 15% off.
4. SOCIAL ANXIETY TO SOCIAL SUCCESS
Social Anxiety to Social Success is an eBook Kel from Anxious Lass created. I’ve read countless ways to recover from social anxiety, and I still found new, important information in her book. The best part is it’s written in a warm and relatable way.
5. BLESSING MANIFESTING DIGITAL PRODUCTS
Blessing Manifesting sells a bunch of digital products focusing on self-love and personal development, like the Self-Love Workbook Planner and Anxiety Workbook. You can either buy them in a digital version or physical copy.
6. DREAMS INTO REALITY
Dreams into Reality eBook covers different topics of personal development to improve your mindset and your life. It will help you overcome anxiety, limiting beliefs, fears, and become a much happier and more positive person.
It works very well for me
I suffer from major clinical Depression, which gets very very bad sometimes up to the point where I’m suicidal. This got really bad and no music I listened to seemed to help me anymore so one night I was casually hanging out on YouTube and in my recommended I saw a music video called “Make A Move” by a band named Icon For Hire. I was curious so I clicked on it and at first I thought what the hell is this? The lead singer, Ariel Bloomer, has bright pink hair and a really curious rocker chick style. Anyway something told me to do some research into the band and it’s the best thing I could’ve ever done. They focus on mental illness, self-harm and also recovery. My ultimate favourite songs are Under The Knife, Get Well, Supposed To Be, Happy Hurts, Pieces and Iodine. But needless to say their music has helped me much more than any therapy I have been in. I have learned so many coping skills and I’ve been clean for nearly a month. So music really has an amazing impact on how we view the world.
That’s so awesome to hear! I will definitely check them out. Thanks for the recommendation! 🙂
Love your style! I believe music is what feelings sound like. Thank you!
Thank you! I completely agree!
I suffer from Fibro, Chiari, migraines, adhd,anxiety and I suffer from severe depression mostly ptsd from being raised with a toxic sister. Music is the ONLY thing that has been one true constant positive in my life…I listen to mostly all genres of music. I was a product of the 70’s so I grew up in the 80’s and the 90’s were incredible….old rap and r&b, groups like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, REM, Blues Traveler, Dispatch, Sublime, Slightly Stupid to the Mighty Mighty Boss Tones, from Special Ed, Kwame, BDP, Bell Biv Devoe, Silk, SWV, and Wu Tang, Dilated Peoples to G Love and Special Sauce, Jack Johnson, 30 secs to Mars, Amy Winehouse, Alanis Morrisette, Tori Amos, Regina Specktor, No Doubt,Lady Gaga to newer groups like Fire of the Gods, Story of the Year, I see Stars, Four Years Strong, Rihanna, Justin Bieber (yes I said Justin Biebs!) Lol….to G Eazy, k.a.a.n., to Child Gambino……and even Stan Smith…being that he’s so cute and all I’ll even dabble a few times a year into country. Which there are such a cute mix of yumsters pit there now like never before…. (you will never get me to admit country). I love how music can make me feel so much it’s almost an addiciton daily….I honestly don’t think I could go a day without it….I’m serious….it gets me moving, dancing and yes the occasional belted out lyric or song….lol….it’s helped me through some really rough times and some rather good times too….I actually came across this blog as I typed a search for ‘how can music be a addiction and cure’ I was trying to find how I could explain that it’s my addiction or cancer and cure all at one time and I can’t explain it…it’s like it’s my disease but not really cuz its the cure too, I don’t know of two words to use that are opposite but yet cancel each other out!?
Anyhow thanks for this blog . I love it….keep the Playlists and posts coming….from one music lover to another.
Thank you! I’m like you; I listen to a a little bit of every thing. Music truly is amazing for the soul!
I suffer from Fibro, Chiari, migraines, adhd,anxiety and I suffer from severe depression mostly ptsd from being raised with a toxic sister. Music is the ONLY thing that has been one true constant positive in my life…I listen to mostly all genres of music. I was a product of the 70’s so I grew up in the 80’s and the 90’s were incredible….old rap and r&b, groups like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, REM, Blues Traveler, Dispatch, Sublime, Slightly Stupid to the Mighty Mighty Boss Tones, from Special Ed, Kwame, BDP, Bell Biv Devoe, Silk, SWV, and Wu Tang, Dilated Peoples to G Love and Special Sauce, Jack Johnson, 30 secs to Mars, Amy Winehouse, Alanis Morrisette, Tori Amos, Regina Specktor, No Doubt,Lady Gaga to newer groups like Fire of the Gods, Story of the Year, I see Stars, Four Years Strong, Rihanna, Justin Bieber (yes I said Justin Biebs!) Lol….to G Eazy, k.a.a.n., to Child Gambino……and even Stan Smith…being that he’s so cute and all I’ll even dabble a few times a year into country. Which there are such a cute mix of yumsters pit there now like never before…. (you will never get me to admit country). I love how music can make me feel so much it’s almost an addiciton daily….I honestly don’t think I could go a day without it….I’m serious….it gets me moving, dancing and yes the occasional belted out lyric or song….lol….it’s helped me through some really rough times and some rather good times too….I actually came across this blog as I typed a search for ‘how can music be a addiction and cure’ I was trying to find how I could explain that it’s my addiction or cancer and cure all at one time and I can’t explain it…it’s like it’s my disease but not really cuz its the cure too, I don’t know of two words to use that are opposite but yet cancel each other out!?
Anyhow thanks for this blog . I love it….keep the Playlists and posts coming….from one music lover to another.