37 Best Songs About Being Different
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Road Less Traveled by Lauren Alaina
Song Year: 2015
If you’re a country rock fan, this Lauren Alaina anthem might inspire you to embrace what makes you different from society’s expectations. The lyrics reinforce the idea that you won’t impact the world if you act the same as everyone else. The song’s positive message makes it one of the top hits to listen to whenever you’re having a bad day.
This song was Alaina’s first number-one hit, peaking at the top position on Billboard’s Country Airplay Chart.
Freaks Like Me by Todrick Hall
Song Year: 2014
Todrick Hall’s “Freaks Like Me” is an upbeat song that people of any age can relate to if they need a little motivation after feeling out of place. The lyrics are simple yet effective about not letting others’ words hurt your feelings. You’ll become happier if you continue being yourself and feel less shame about your differences.
Black Sheep by Gin Wigmore
Song Year: 2011
“Black Sheep” is a song initially featured on New Zealand singer Gin Wigmore’s album Gravel & Wine. Wigmore’s scratchy and sassy vocals blend well with its bold piano and guitar accompaniment. The song tells the tale of a woman who rejects societal norms, from how she looks to how she talks.
She insinuates that even if she experiences failure, she won’t return to the life others want her to follow.
Anklebiters by Paramore
Song Year: 2013
Paramore’s upbeat rock hit “Anklebiters” is another inspirational song encouraging listeners to love themselves when people shun them for being different. The narrator tells the audience they shouldn’t care what others think and that being the same is overrated and boring. The lyrics reinforce the themes of self-acceptance, especially for those who feel alone.
The song’s title references people who attempt to shut down others for being different, comparing them to rowdy children. The song’s punk-inspired rock guitar instrumentation and Haley Williams’ vocals give the piece a confident tone.
Feel by Sleeping With Sirens
Song Year: 2013
Breaking from society’s norms is a common theme in many songs about being different. Sleeping With Sirens’ “Feel” is about finding yourself and feeling alive after embracing your true self. This song is the title track of the group’s third studio album, which peaked in the top ten of several music charts.
The lyrics describe the narrator feeling lost in the world after forcing himself to become what he’s not. He expresses how he’s not sorry for being different. This song resonates with anyone trying to improve themselves and find their purpose.
Anyway by Tori Kelly
Song Year: 2015
Trying to be accepted by others when you’re different from what they expect or want can feel overwhelming. “Anyway” by Tori Kelly is a pop and R&B single that perfectly embodies this feeling through its upbeat sound and vocals.
The song’s narrator expresses how she won’t change herself for others and won’t conform like others trying to fit in, telling anyone who comes her way to either accept her for who she is or leave to find someone who meets their expectations or standards.
Unique by Lenka
Song Year: 2015
Lenka’s “Unique” is an ode to being proud of being different. The song has an upbeat, lighthearted tone, emphasized by its guitar and percussion accompaniment. The narrator states how she loves being herself and seeing the world through a positive outlook. She admits that she’s flawed, but keeps moving forward, trying to find her place outside of what society expects.
Hurricane by MisterWives
Song Year: 2015
Initially featured on MisterWives’ debut studio album, Our Own House, “Hurricane” is an anthem for people who don’t care what others think when expressing their uniqueness. The lyrics incorporate dynamic imagery, comparing the people who put others down for being different to leeches and those who embrace being themselves to an unstoppable storm.
Don’t Be Afraid To Be Different by Logic
Song Year: 2019
Logic’s “Don’t Be Afraid To Be Different” has a simple yet effective message for anyone struggling to accept themselves. It was a featured track on the chart-topping album Confessions of a Dangerous Mind.
The song has a catchy, old-school sound, emphasized by its simple lyrics, repetitive beats, and additional vocals from Will Smith. It’s the perfect song to listen to while driving downtown or jogging around the neighborhood.
Different by Tasha Page-Lockhart
Song Year: 2014
If you prefer gospel-inspired songs, Tasha Page-Lockhart’s “Different” is one song you shouldn’t skip. This soulful song describes a woman feeling different after embracing the Lord. The narrator admits that she’s made mistakes trying to fit in with other girls in her youth, but she moves on from her past to embrace a new side of herself that makes her feel happier.
Freaks Like Me by Joe Nichols
Song Year: 2015
“Freaks Like Me” is a song about staying true to your values, even when people judge you for standing out. The song’s mid-tempo sound and Joe Nichols’ vocals give the tune a catchy, old-school country sound. The lyrics reflect the narrator’s pride in his old-fashioned lifestyle and how he won’t let others’ opinions bring him down.
I’m Different by Dust In Mind
Song Year: 2017
Dust In Mind’s “I’m Different,” from their album Oblivion, has a rough, hardcore rock sound, making it stand out from the previous songs on this list. This song takes the perspective of a person avoiding others after getting bullied for being different, wishing they had the strength to face the ones who mock them and be themselves.
