There are many songs about anxiety in the music space, reflecting the human struggle with this often debilitating condition. These songs not only portray anxiety’s grip but also offer solace, understanding, and hope to listeners, underscoring music’s healing power. I have gathered for you the most famous and interesting compositions on this subject. Let’s take a closer look at them.
Best songs about anxiety
1. Breathe Me – Sia
A heartfelt plea for understanding, this track details a person’s struggle with feelings of loneliness and despair. This seminal 2004 piece, recognized as a standout among anxiety songs, masterfully conveys a yearning for empathy. The mournful piano accompaniment and poignant lyrics create a raw, emotional resonance, providing a comforting solace to listeners grappling with similar struggles. The song beautifully underscores the healing power of music in navigating through emotional turmoil.
2. Details in the Fabric – Jason Mraz
This calming 2008 composition, a standout among songs about being stressed, contrasts chaos with peace. The lyrics promise, “If it’s a broken part, replace it,” reassuring listeners that despite life’s tumultuous fabric, support is there.
The song offers a soothing message of hope and persistence amid personal turmoil, emphasizing music’s incredible power in navigating through times of stress and anxiety. Its reassuring lyrics promise that despite the rough fabric of life, there’s someone who will help mend the frays.
3. Comfortably Numb – Pink Floyd
An exploration of the numbing effect of anxiety this 1979 classic by Pink Floyd explores the numbing effect of anxiety. With lyrics like “I have become comfortably numb,” the song captures the dissociative state that can accompany chronic stress and anxiety. The metaphorical dialogue between personified comfort and pain renders it a powerful piece among songs about stress and anxiety, offering a unique perspective on managing these conditions.
4. Help! – The Beatles
This iconic 1965 song by The Beatles captures the cry for assistance in times of emotional difficulty. The lyrics “Help, I need somebody” encapsulate the desperation and worry often felt when grappling with internal struggles.
An anthem for vulnerability and seeking support, it stands out among songs about worry, further illustrating the universal nature of such wrestling. A classic rock anthem that encapsulates the desperation one can feel when struggling with emotional difficulties.
5. Sober – Demi Lovato
In the 2018 track “Sober,” crude emotion is expressed candidly, illustrating the fear and anxiety that accompany the journey to sobriety. The lyrics, “Mama, I’m so sorry I’m not sober anymore,” highlight the pain of disappointment and relapse. As one of the potent songs about fear and anxiety, it sheds light on the often-overlooked struggles associated with recovery. This pop track is a candid portrayal of the journey to sobriety and the anxieties that come with it, showing vulnerability amidst the effort.
6. Breakeven – The Script
A poignant pop-rock song exploring heartbreak, depicting the personal turmoil experienced when the world keeps moving while you’re stuck in the throes of anxiety. In this dynamic 2008 track by The Script, personal turmoil resulting from heartbreak is poignantly portrayed. Lyrics such as “I’m still alive, but I’m barely breathing” encapsulate the emotional distress akin to the overwhelming intensity of panic attacks. This song, expressing the feeling of stagnation in a world that continues to move, provides meaningful insight into songs about panic attacks, demonstrating the profound human struggle with these debilitating conditions.
7. Everything’s Not Lost – Coldplay
Despite its melancholic undertones, it offers an uplifting message of hope and perseverance, subtly encouraging listeners in the throes of nervousness and anxiety to keep pressing on despite their inner battles. Lyrics like “If you ever feel neglected, if you think all is lost, I’ll be counting up my demons” promise a soothing solace in the midst of personal turmoil. Its gentle tone and positive sentiment offer a reassuring embrace to those wrestling with feelings of worry and unease.
8. Anxiety – Julia Michaels ft. Selena Gomez
In the 2019 track “Anxiety,” personal experiences with mental health are openly explored. The lyrics, “Feel like I’m always apologizing for feeling,” present the often masked reality of anxiety and depression. The song uncovers the concealed turmoil under outward smiles, providing a candid representation of the internal fighting many people face, offering solace to those grappling with similar circumstances.
9. Screen – Twenty One Pilots
This cool song provides an introspective look at the struggle of overthinking, especially relevant to those dealing with social anxiety. Lyrics like “While you’re doing fine, there’re some people and I who have a really tough time getting through this life” encapsulate the internal battle for mental peace. Released in 2013, the track vividly illustrates the solitude one can feel even amidst the noise of societal expectations. A thought-provoking song depicting the struggle of overthinking and anxiety when left alone with one’s thoughts, presenting the fight for mental peace.
10. 1-800-273-8255 – Logic ft. Alessia Cara & Khalid
This powerful 2017 track presents a hotline conversation to underscore the significance of seeking help amidst the struggle with anxiety. Lyrics like “I just wanna die today, I just wanna die” offer a raw and unfiltered portrayal of mental health struggles. The song sends a strong message of hope, advocating for support and understanding in the face of despair and solitude.
11. Numb – Linkin Park
“Numb” is a notable track from Linkin Park’s second studio album, “Meteora” (2003). A powerful alternative rock track addressing feelings of disconnection and emotional numbness, often associated with intense anxiety and depression. It is inherent in people with anxiety. The phrase “I’ve become so numb, I can’t feel you there” embodies the difficult experience of emotional disengagement and isolation. The track powerfully illustrates the silent internal conflicts and calls for understanding inherent in living with anxiety.
It was later mashed with Jay-Z’s “Encore” for the collaborative EP “Collision Course” (2004), yielding another hit “Numb/Encore” that won a Grammy in 2006.
12. Shake It Out – Florence + The Machine
Listeners are invited to let go of their anxieties and fears in the track “Shake It Out”, released in 2011. Lyrics like “It’s always darkest before the dawn” resonate with those grappling with the experience of anxiety. This song of liberation underscores resilience amidst struggles, inspiring listeners to shed their worries, symbolically shaking them out, and embracing a hopeful future.
The song’s music video, directed by Dawn Shadforth, has a unique 1920s-themed party setting, and it was praised for its cinematic quality and symbolic imagery.
13. Car Radio – Twenty One Pilots
This song offers an intimate glance into a mind plagued by intrusive thoughts, a situation familiar to anyone who feels anxiety. Lyrics like “There’s no sound to hide behind to find over the course of our human existence” speak to the pervasive silence that can amplify one’s inner turmoil. The track poignantly portrays the struggle with runaway thoughts and the desire for a distracting noise to drown them out.
Unlike traditional songs, “Car Radio” largely lacks a melodic chorus and is instead characterized by frontman Tyler Joseph’s spoken-word style verses that gradually build up to a climactic synth-driven ending.
14. Final Masquerade – Linkin Park
In this 2014 track, “Final Masquerade,” the lyrics delve into the theme of personal facades and the vulnerability that lies beneath them. The quote “All I ever wanted, the secrets that you keep” encapsulates the desire for authenticity in the midst of hiding one’s true self. The song delves into the complexities of self-expression, offering a glimpse into the human longing for genuine connection.
Despite the generally heavy tone of “The Hunting Party,” “Final Masquerade” stands out as a more melodic and traditionally structured song, showcasing the band’s versatility.
15. Anziety – Logic
In this introspective track, the singer delves deep into the emotional landscape of anxiety. With lines like “My anxiety’s a lot of weight to carry,” the song confronts the overwhelming burden that anxiety can impose. It offers a vulnerable portrayal of the internal battles faced by individuals, shedding light on the complexities of mental health. Through his introspection, the artist creates a space for empathy and understanding, fostering a connection with listeners who share similar severities.
Musically, the track showcases Logic’s versatility, blending his distinct rap style with an orchestral backdrop that heightens its emotional resonance.
16. Paranoid – Black Sabbath
This track, the centerpiece of a revolutionary 1970 album, encapsulates wild energy and pioneering heavy metal. Boasting a hard-driving rhythm guitar riff, it presents powerful vocals expressing anxiety and mental turmoil. Its lyrics, both poignant and unsettling, linger in the minds of listeners: “Make a joke, and I will sigh, and you will laugh, and I will cry.” It’s an unforgettable symbol of the birth of metal.
It became Black Sabbath’s only top-ten hit in the UK and was a breakthrough hit in the U.S., despite its dark themes.
17. Migraine – Twenty One Pilots
A great track from a 2013 album, characterized by a blend of hip-hop, indie rock, and pop. The song’s bright melody belies its deep exploration of mental opposition and existential dread. The lyrical brilliance shines in lines like, “Sometimes to stay alive, you gotta kill your mind,” underlining a unique approach to engaging with mental health themes.
While not an official single, “Migraine” has become one of Twenty One Pilots’ most beloved songs among fans due to its introspective lyrics and catchy rhythm.
18. Heavy – Linkin Park ft. Kiiara
This emotionally charged track was released in 2017. It represents a distinct shift towards a more electronic and pop-centric sound. The song’s poignant duet tackles mental health issues, personified through lyrics that underscore the weight of emotional burdens, such as “Holding on / Why is everything so heavy?” The collaboration offers a refreshing blend of vocal styles, creating an impactful dialogue around psychical health.
“Heavy” marked a significant shift in Linkin Park’s musical style, featuring a more pop-centric sound compared to their earlier nu-metal and rock influences.
19. Unwell – Matchbox Twenty
This song was nominated for a Grammy 2004 for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, showcasing its critical recognition.
Featured on a 2002 album, this track is an earnest pop-rock canticle dealing with feelings of alienation and mental health struggles. It successfully combines a catchy melody with introspective lyrics, like “I’m not crazy, I’m just a little unwell.” The song’s universal message of resilience in the face of internal battles resonates deeply, making it an enduring classic in its genre.
“Unwell” remains one of Matchbox Twenty’s most popular songs and has continued to garner radio airplay years after its release, a testament to its timeless appeal.
20. Nobody’s Home – Avril Lavigne
Part of a 2004 album, this emotive track uses pop-rock elements to depict a narrative of loneliness and fighting. Its lyrics poignantly express feelings of abandonment and despair, encapsulated in the line “She wants to go home, but nobody’s home.” The song’s passionate honesty and powerful vocal delivery render it a cathartic coral for listeners navigating their own emotional challenges.
The music video, directed by Diane Martel, features Lavigne in dual roles – one as a successful singer and another as a homeless woman – visually emphasizing the song’s themes of displacement and isolation.
21. My Mind Is A Prison – Alec Benjamin
This contemplative pop song was featured in a 2019 release. It uses metaphor and introspection to depict personal battles with mental health. The balance of narrative lyrics and sparse musical arrangement amplifies the emotive sentiment: “My mind is a prison, and I’m never gonna get out.” The track resonates with audiences, presenting a candid portrayal of internal conflict and self-questioning.
Alec Benjamin wrote and produced the song himself, demonstrating his versatile talents as both a singer-songwriter and a producer.
22. Xanny – Billie Eilish
This thoughtful track addresses the theme of drug misuse among youth. It was featured on a 2019 debut album. The artist’s soft vocals contrast with hard-hitting bass and lyric poetry, creating a haunting sonic landscape. Lines like “I don’t need a Xanny to feel better” send a powerful anti-drug message. The track is a testament to the artist’s willingness to confront challenging societal issues in her music.
The track’s music video, directed by Eilish herself, further emphasizes the song’s themes by depicting the harmful physical effects of smoking, reinforcing the message against drugs.
23. Hold On – Chord Overstreet
I present to your attention this heartfelt pop ballad that explores themes of loss and longing, which is part of a 2017 release. The artist’s expressive vocals carry the heartfelt plea: “So, hold on, I still want you / Come back, I still need you.” Through its poignant lyrics and soul-stirring melody, the song offers a potent musical expression of strength and unyielding hope in the face of heartbreak.
The song was originally released in February 2017 as part of Overstreet’s first solo extended play, ‘Tree House Tapes’, and gained major popularity after being featured in the hit TV show ‘The Vampire Diaries’ in an emotional scene during its series finale.
24. Truce – Twenty One Pilots
On a 2013 record, this emotive piano piece addresses inward health problems with powerful sincerity. Its minimalist composition intensifies the emotional weight of lyrics such as “Stay alive, stay alive for me.” The song stands as a testament to enduring hardship and offers a poignant reminder of hope and perseverance to listeners navigating their own severities.
“Truce” is the closing track on “Vessel,” providing a somber yet hopeful ending to the album.
In December 2018, the song’s music video was awarded a Gold Play Button by YouTube for reaching 1 million ‘likes’.
25. Missing You – All Time Low
This track, featured on a 2015 album, masterfully combines energetic pop-punk sounds with a deep exploration of emotional distress and seclusion. The line, “Hold on tight, this ride is a wild one,” resonates strongly, capturing the song’s spirit of resilience and hope. The track’s straightforward representation of personal inner battles, underscored by a captivating tune, offers reassurance to listeners facing analogous life experiences.
In 2016, All Time Low released a video for “Missing You” that was filmed in different parts of the world. The video features the band FaceTiming with fans and discussing their personal struggles, which mirrors the themes of the song.
26. Breathing – Kate Bush
Featured on a 1980 album, this atmospheric track is a poetic commentary on the nuclear fallout. With lines like, “What are we going to do without,” the song boldly delves into the fear of a post-apocalyptic world from an unborn child’s perspective. The emotive vocals and lush instrumentals create an engaging soundscape, illustrating the artist’s unique vision and distinct sound.
At nearly five minutes long, “Breathing” is an epic in terms of length and scope, further showcasing Bush’s commitment to pushing boundaries in her music.
27. Under the Bridge – Red Hot Chili Peppers
Part of a 1991 release, this iconic track blends funk and rock to express feelings of solitude and a yearning for unity. With lyrics such as, “I drive on her streets ’cause she’s my companion,” the song showcases the artist’s emotional bond to the city of Los Angeles. This timeless masterpiece illustrates the artist’s individual journey while paying homage to their urban muse.
“Under the Bridge” is one of Red Hot Chili Peppers’ most successful songs. It reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in the U.S., the band’s highest position at that point.
28. Idontwannabeyouanymore – Billie Eilish
The song was featured on a 2017 EP. It explores themes of self-doubt and personal dissatisfaction. The lyrics, “If teardrops could be bottled, there’d be swimming pools filled by models,” encapsulate the artist’s critique of societal beauty standards. The melodic tune, paired with the profound lyricism, create an emotionally evocative piece, showcasing the artist’s maturity and unique style at a young age.
“Idontwannabeyouanymore” has been used in several TV shows and was featured on the soundtrack for the Netflix series “13 Reasons Why.”
29. Neon Gravestones – Twenty One Pilots
“Neon Gravestones” is an intriguing track from Twenty One Pilots’ fifth studio album, “Trench” (2018). This thought-provoking track takes a deep dive into society’s often unhealthy fascination with tragic heroes. It’s powerfully encapsulated in the line, “Neon gravestones try to call for my bones,” a metaphor for the allure of martyrdom. The song was written by the band’s lead vocalist, Tyler Joseph. The track is noted for its minimalistic piano accompaniment, which adds to the somber and contemplative mood of the song.
Fans and critics have praised “Neon Gravestones” for its profound lyrics and the band’s willingness to confront difficult topics. The song continues to spark discussions about the ways society handles tragedy and the importance of valuing life.
30. Addicted – Jorja Smith
This soulful track weaves a tale of unreciprocated love and emotional longing. The track was released in 2021. With the poignant line, “But when you’re gone, you’re never really gone, I’m still waiting,” the artist communicates the intense grip of a one-sided relationship. The track’s rhythmic beat and melodic vocals underscore the singer’s adept storytelling abilities and mastery of the contemporary R&B genre.
The individual voicing the lyrics is comfortable in their own skin, requiring no validation or understanding from others. They have the resilience to handle their own challenges, regardless of whether others disregard their experiences or fail to comprehend their journey.
