One of music’s most enduring themes is that of individuality and nonconformity, which has long been a potent manner of conveying feelings and ideas. Songs about being different, embracing individuality and diversity, and defying society’sconventions and expectations are common. People who feel excluded, misunderstood, or out of place frequently connect with these tunes, which gives them a sense of affirmation, motivation, and empowerment.
Rock, punk, hip-hop, and R&B are just a few of the genres and styles that have the best songs about being different. They represent the varied experiences and viewpoints of individuals who question social norms in many contexts, whether through racial, gender, sexual, religious, or personality differences.
Some of these songs serve as anthems of resistance and defiance, urging the listeners to speak out in defence of themselves and fight against prejudice and oppression. Others focus on the difficulties and rewards of embracing one’s unique personality and discovering a sense of belonging. These are more contemplative and private.
This essay will examine some of the best songs about being different and the factors that contribute to its profundity and force. In addition to examining how these songs have influenced and inspired previous generations of listeners, we will also examine how they reflect the social and cultural environment of their time and place.
We will also look at the artistic elements and methods – from memorable melodies and witty lyrics to daring and avant-garde arrangements – that contribute to these songs’ lasting effect.
This post is for you if you identify as different or simply enjoy music that honours uniqueness and variety. We intend to raise awareness about the value of accepting and appreciating our differences as well as the ability of music to unite people and spur on constructive change in the world by investigating the best songs about being different.
18 Best Songs About Being Different – Here are our recommendations!
18: Let It Go (Frozen) – Idina Menzel
Idina Menzel, an American actress and singer, sang the song “Let It Go” on the “Frozen” soundtrack, which was published in 2013. The song’s instrumentation is intense and moving, perfectly balancing the lyrics’ message about the value of accepting oneself and letting go of fear and doubt.
With its uplifting message and Menzel’s mesmerising voice, “Let It Go” swiftly rose to popularity among fans and entered popular culture. The song was well-received by critics and has since grown to be among the most well-known Disney tunes ever.
17: I Don’t Want To Be – Gavin DeGraw
American singer-songwriter Gavin DeGraw’s song “I Don’t Want To Be” was released in 2004. The song’s instrumental is energetic and appealing, which perfectly matches the lyrics, which discuss the challenge of finding one’s place in the world and defying social norms.
“I Don’t Want To Be” immediately gained popularity among listeners and achieved commercial success thanks to its relatable lyrics and catchy music. One of DeGraw’s most well-known songs, it earned favourable reviews from critics for its sincerity and strong voice.
16: Alien – HAN
A beautifully depressing song about feeling like an alien on Earth, Alien is only now accessible on the YouTube channel SKZ RECORD. Although there is a lot of autotune, I believe that this adds to the artificial, even inhuman tone.
The song’s lyrics are immensely depressing, and anyone who has ever felt like they can never fit in no matter how hard they try will be able to relate to them. It’s nearly instantly in your face with the chorus, like many of his songs are. The subject of being left out of society is continued in the remaining verses.
15: Brown Skin Girl – Beyonce & Various Artists
Beyoncé’s inspirational song “Brown Skin Girl” features Wizkid from Nigeria, Saint Jhn from Guyana, and Blue Ivy Carter, who is Beyoncé’s daughter. The song promotes empowerment and self-love by highlighting the strength and beauty of dark-skinned women and girls.
It was made available as a component of Beyoncé’s “The Lion King: The Gift” album, which was a companion piece for the 2019 remake of the beloved Disney film. The film “Brown Skin Girl” has received a lot of appreciation for its upbeat message and celebration of black identity and culture.
14: Most Girls – Hailee Steinfeld
Hailee Steinfeld, an American singer and actress, released “Most Girls” in 2017. The song’s instrumental is lively and inspiring, which goes wonderfully with the lyrics’ celebration of the diversity and power of women. “Most Girls” swiftly gained popularity among viewers and achieved economic success thanks to its theme of female empowerment and self-love.
The catchy tune and sympathetic lyrics won praise from critics, and the song has since gained popularity as an anthem for girls and women around the world who defy gender norms and prejudices.
13: Black Sheep – Gin Wigmore
2011 saw the release of “Black Sheep,” a song by New Zealand singer-songwriter Gin Wigmore. The song has a distinct sound that combines rock, folk, and pop components, and Wigmore’s strong vocals add to the track’s gritty and edgy atmosphere.
“Black Sheep” soon became a fan favourite and a commercial hit because of its upbeat tune and provocative lyrics. The song, which has grown to be a mainstay of Wigmore’s live performances, garnered favourable reviews from critics for its unpolished and genuine tone.
12: Man In The Mirror – Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, wrote and sang the soulful ballad “Man In The Mirror” in 1988. The song’s strong message of self-reflection and accepting accountability for one’s actions in order to bring about positive change in the world is conveyed through its lyrics.
Jackson’s emotional vocals and the song’s upbeat melody made “Man In The Mirror” a fast fan favourite and a commercial hit. The song, which has since become one of Jackson’s most recognisable songs, was praised by critics for its socially conscious message.
11: Freaks Like Me – Todrick Hall
Todrick Hall, an American singer-songwriter, published the song “Freaks Like Me” in 2014. The song’s instrumental is lively and contagious, which perfectly matches the lyrics, which celebrate the individuality and uniqueness of people who don’t fit in with society’s norms.
The song “Freaks Like Me” soon gained popularity among listeners and achieved commercial success thanks to its message of self-acceptance and pride in one’s individuality. The upbeat message and catchy melody of the song won praise from reviewers, and it has since become an anthem for anyone who has ever felt alienated.
10: Be Yourself – Audioslave
The 2005 single “Be Yourself” by the American rock group Audioslave. The song’s hard-hitting instrumental perfectly matches the words, which exhort listeners to be true to themselves and resist pressure from society to fit in.
“Be Yourself” rapidly became a fan favourite and a commercial hit thanks to its strong message of self-acceptance and keeping true to one’s principles. For its genuine sound and uplifting message, the song won praise from the music community and has since become a mainstay of Audioslave’s live performances.
9: The Way I Am – Charlie Puth
The Way I Am is a song about breaking free in which the author expresses his frustration with trying to be someone he is not. Some of us try to adapt in order to blend in with a group of friends, and all that acting out can get tiresome.
Self-realisation, like that of Charlie Puth, can give you the courage to reveal who you are to those around you. We ought to take a cue from his candour and apply it to our own lives.
8: La La Land – Demi Lovato
I feel sentimental listening to this song almost ten years afterwards. The Jonas brothers wrote and produced this song, but because Demi was a kid star in Hollywood, her singing brought the lyrics to life.
The message of the song emphasises the value of remaining true to yourself. Demi Lovato remarked of the song, “Being in Hollywood, a lot of times people can try to shape you and mould you into what they want you to be”.
7: Juice – Lizzo
Lizzo defied internet trolls who had been body-shaming the singer by writing a body-positive song that went on to become one of her biggest tracks. She teaches all ladies to accept their unique selves in this song by using her charm and tenacity.
I admire her and her talent as an entertainer and composer more since she chose to disregard all the hate and release songs about self-love. Harry Styles covered the song to use his platform to spread the message that it’s alright to have a unique appearance.
6: Born This Way – Lady Gaga
2011 saw the release of “Born This Way”, a single by American artist Lady Gaga. The song’s peppy music and appealing lyrics, which praise self-acceptance and embracing one’s individuality, go hand in hand. “Born This Way” immediately became a fan favourite and a commercial hit thanks to its inspiring message of inclusivity and acceptance.
The catchy melody and upbeat message of the song won praise from reviewers, and it has since become an anthem for the LGBTQ+ community and anybody else who feels excluded or discriminated against.
5: So Am I – Ava Max
Ava Max, an American singer, published the song “So Am I” in 2019. The lively and catchy instrumental of the song nicely supports the lyrics’ message of inclusiveness and acceptance. The song “So Am I” swiftly gained popularity among listeners and achieved commercial success thanks to its inspiring message of self-love and accepting one’s uniqueness.
The song has become an anthem for people who feel like they don’t fit in with society’s norms thanks to favourable reviews from critics who praised it for its catchy melody and relevant lyrics.
4: This Is Me – Demi Lovato And Joe Jonas
Demi Lovato and Joe Jonas sing the song “This Is Me” in the Disney Channel Original Movie “Camp Rock” from 2008. The song is a strong ballad that discusses the difficulties of realising and accepting one’s own self.
The song swiftly gained popularity among listeners and achieved commercial success because of its motivational lyrics and Lovato and Jonas’ emotive voices. For its uplifting message and resonant tune, “This Is Me” won praise from critics. It is still regarded as a beloved classic by “Camp Rock” devotees.
3: This Is Me – Keala Settle
From the 2017 musical film “The Greatest Showman” the stirring anthem “This Is Me”, is sung by American actress and singer Keala Settle. With Settle’s passionate vocals and the uplifting instrumental, the song encourages self-acceptance and embracing one’s individuality.
It is a genuinely uplifting and inspirational piece of music. With a peak position of number 45 on the US Billboard Hot 100 list, “This Is Me” was a commercial triumph. It also garnered praise for its uplifting message and Settle’s outstanding performance. The song is now frequently played at motivational and empowering events.
2: I’m Different – 2 Chainz
The hit hip-hop song “I’m Different” is performed by American rapper 2 Chainz. It was made available in 2012 as the album’s lead single, “Based on a T.R.U Story”. In the song, 2 Chainz raps on his distinct personality, way of life, and success in the music business over a catchy and lively instrumental. Fast becoming a commercial hit, “I’m Different” peaked at number 27 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and earned praise from reviewers for its lighthearted and amusing lyrics.
1: Let Me Be Myself – 3 Doors Down
Like the song’s title suggests, the lyrics are quite uplifting as they describe the necessity for everyone to shine in their own light. This stirring ballad was written by the composers to exhort their listeners not to lose who they are while trying to blend in or pass for someone else.
This song inspires those who are battling with themselves and has a clear message in its lyrics, which is why I adore it. The band claims that because the song’s lyrics seemed to flow naturally, it was the easiest song on the album to write.
18 Best Songs About Being Different – Closing remarks and thoughts
The best songs about being unique have the ability to uplift, empower, and validate people who feel excluded or out of place. They highlight the diversity and complexity of human identity and reflect the many experiences and viewpoints of those who oppose traditional norms and expectations. These songs inspire listeners to embrace their individuality and speak up for themselves while providing a sense of belonging and camaraderie to those who might otherwise feel alone or misunderstood.
We have discovered how these songs represent the shifting views and values of their time and location, as well as how they have influenced and inspired generations of listeners, by examining the artistic merits and social context of these songs. These songs, which range from soulful ballads to punk anthems, show how music has the ability to bridge cultural, societal, and personal divides and to express and convey feelings and ideas.
It is more crucial than ever to welcome and celebrate diversity as well as to speak up for the rights and dignity of all people as we negotiate the complexity and challenges of modern life. The best songs about being different serve as a reminder of this fundamental fact as well as an inspiration and a source of strength for those who want to build a society that is more fair and inclusive.
Closing Remarks:
In the end, what makes these songs so fascinating and significant are the actual human experiences and stories that they are based on. We may celebrate the special traits and viewpoints that make us who we are by sharing and listening to these songs, and we can also discover understanding and common ground with people who may be unlike us. The greatest songs about being different are a monument to the timeless truth that music has the ability to unite people.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
- Songs about gold digger
- Songs about being 20
- Songs about vacation
- Songs about struggles
- Songs about goats
- Songs about being overwhelmed
- Songs about waiting for someone
- Songs that make you feel like a villain
A music enthusiast who has taken his passion for music to the next level by starting his own blog. He spends most of his free time listening to new albums, attending concerts, and researching emerging artists.
What sets John apart from other music bloggers is his ability to connect with his readers on a personal level. His writing style is warm and engaging, making it easy for readers to relate to him as both a fellow music lover and someone who truly cares about the art form.
John’s love for music started at a young age when he discovered classic rock through his father’s vinyl collection. Since then, he has expanded his musical horizons to include everything from indie rock to hip hop and beyond.
As a blogger, John has found a way to share his love of music with others while also providing valuable insights into the industry.