31 Best Songs About Finding Yourself

22. “Still Learning” by Halsey    

Song Year: 2020

“Still Learning” is another fairly recent song about finding yourself. It has a catchy and upbeat pop melody.

It blends lyrics about the speaker’s continuing pursuit of self-realization with a jaunty, bopping tune.

Under the upbeat tempo are lyrics that reflect on how complicated finding yourself can be. It’s a song that recognizes how messy and imperfect the process of self-discovery can be. But its bright, brassy melody and tempo ensure it’s also optimistic.

Yes, this song says, we’re all fallible, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

23. “Within You, Without You” by The Beatles   

Song Year: 1967

“Within You Without You” was written by George Harrison and released on the 1967 album Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club.

Harrison said the genesis for his song came from a dinnertime conversation about the walls people put up, especially around strangers. From there, the idea segued into a bizarre song full of slides and unlikely instrumentation, including the following:

• Sitar
• Tambura
• Swarmandal

Once you get past the instrumentation, the song reminds listeners that there’s more to life than going through the motions. It’s not enough to be externally engaged with people and places. You need to interact with your inner self, too. Ideally, the song wants you to integrate them, even as it recognizes that enlightenment like that takes years.

24. “I’m With You” by Avril Lavigne    

Song Year: 2002

Here’s another song that explores the necessity of letting people go to find themselves.

The song’s chorus is a cathartic wail about how lonely and challenging this necessary distance can feel. It effectively uses pathetic fallacy, and especially rain, to render feelings of coldness and abandonment.

As the song goes on, the speaker asks why everything around her feels confusing. It's an understandable question because nothing is more confusing or painful than realizing your potential.

25. “Living Dangerously” by Dami Im

Song Year: 2013

Two things stand out about Dami Im’s Living Dangerously.” The first is the powerful vocals that propel this song about finding yourself through its chord progressions. It’s an up-tempo song with a fast pace and a demanding vocal line.

Im’s performance illustrates how physically grueling finding yourself can feel while still managing to sound optimistic.

The other stand-out feature of this song is that it looks unapologetically at how terrifying it feels to take risks. But without them, we stagnate and can’t grow into the people we want to be.

26. “Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song)” by Billy Joel

Song Year: 1977

“Movin’ Out” starts as a song that explores class disparity in America. As it goes on, Joel asks if all the energy we spend on work is worth it. Deciding it isn’t, the titular Anthony sacrifices his job to preserve his values.

This song about finding yourself has a striking beat with complex harmonies. Joel sings with heart, making it a difficult song to forget. 

27. “If I’m Being Honest” by Dodie 

Song Year: 2019

From the moment this song about finding yourself starts, it's filled with tension. The noise and clamor of the initial chords segue into a slower, more lyrical melody.

It’s overlaid by lyrics that tenderly explore the speaker’s need for validation. Dodie sings with a rare and moving vulnerability.

It was Dodie’s second song and earned the artist a nomination for Best Song – Folk/Singer-Songwriter.

 28. “Disconnect” by Clean Bandit and Marina

Song Year: 2017

One reason many people struggle to find themselves is the noise and chatter of social media. “Disconnect” is a song about finding yourself that tackles the impact of the internet on our ability to connect with people around us.

The speaker longs for an authentic connection. But it’s hard to do that online, and switching the phone off is still more challenging.

Its blend of electronic and orchestral sound with haunting vocals creates a memorable reflection on finding yourself.

29. “I’m Still Standing” by Elton John

Song Year: 1987

Elton John’s “I’m Still Standing” has a catchy, fast beat and a drum line that will have you tapping your feet. When you cut through the noise and clever harmonies, it’s also a song about finding yourself.

The lyrics use the seasons as a metaphorical vehicle to explore the way we adapt to the people around us. The person we are with strangers isn’t the person our families know.

More than that, constantly switching personas takes effort. Don’t be deceived by the jaunty melody and snappy rhythm. This song about finding yourself is an anthem for honesty with yourself and the people around you. It might be painful, and it might be difficult, but it’s better than the alternative.

30. “I Don’t Know My Name” by Grace VanerWaal

Song Year: 2017

Here’s another song about finding yourself that explores the idea of adapting your personality to the people around you.

It features VanderWall’s distinctive vocals and ukulele playing and has striking lyrics. The speaker changes so completely that they can’t even tell you their name moment-to-moment. It’s not until they decide to stop adjusting to suit other people that their name and true personality starts emerging.

It’s a moving, triumphant moment for the speaker.

31. “Weightless” by Natasha Bedingfield

Song Year: 2010

We end with an upbeat pop song about finding yourself. Bedingfield sings with passion about being true to yourself.

Her speaker is unapologetically forthright, and that honesty liberates her. She revels in her individuality. The freedom she feels leaves her feeling weightless, as suggested in the title. It’s a triumphant, hopeful, and empowering anthem for people everywhere.

Top Songs About Finding Yourself, Final Thoughts

What’s remarkable about songs about finding yourself is how different they are from one another. Come explore our connection with other people. Others focus on reconnecting with themselves. Still, others embrace unflinching honesty in the face of adversity.

But they all have a common message. Songs about finding yourself want you to know your worth. Realizing your value is tricky and sometimes painful, but one thing they agree on is that it’s always worth the risk you take to find yourself.