40 Songs About Identity, Belonging, and Having an Identity Crisis

“London Beckoned Songs About Money Written by Machines” by Panic! At The Disco

Song Year: 2005

This song from Panic! At The Disco’s debut album can be considered a “middle finger” to people who disapprove of their music, with lyrics going on about how they’re comfortable with who they are and how they won’t change to fit some kind of mold of identity.

“Simple and Clean” by Hikaru Utada

Song Year: 2002

“Simple and Clean” is about a crisis regarding someone the singer “belongs to,” as she starts to feel distant from her lover. However, she feels optimistic about the future with him, thus singing positively about her sense of belonging to him despite the crisis.

“Two-Headed Boy” by Neutral Milk Hotel

Song Year: 1998

“Two-Headed Boy” can best be interpreted as a crisis of identity, based on the creator meltdown of Neutral Milk Hotel’s songwriter, Jeff Mangum. It details a boy living a double life, performing for others but at the cost of his freedom.

“Dust in the Wind” by Kansas

Song Year: 1977

“Dust in the Wind” is often regarded as one of the most existential rock songs from the 70s. It is about how no matter how you see yourselves, whether positive or negative, nothing really matters in the bigger picture.

“Hummingbird” by Tut Child ft. Augustus Ghost

Song Year: 2013

Much like “Simple and Clean” above, “Hummingbird” deals with a crisis of belonging as the singer feels that they are losing someone special to them. However, this song is about someone coming to terms with the fact that they have to let go of the feeling of belonging.

“Don’t Be So Serious” by Low Roar

Song Year: 2017

The opening song to Low Roar’s third album, this song discusses the importance of vulnerability in terms of shaping your identity. It’s rather tongue-in-cheek, but it still showcases an important message about not taking yourself too seriously regarding your identity.

“Raw Meat” by Fish

Song Year: 1994

The 10th song in Fish’s 1994 album Suits, “Raw Meat” details a performer having a creative breakdown as his reputation goes down the drain, thus facing a kind of identity crisis even when people recognize him in a positive manner.

However, it ends on an optimistic note, with the performer deciding to keep on going regardless of what the critics say.

“Going Under” by Evanescence

Song Year: 2003

“Going Under” is about a woman trying to retain her identity after finally leaving a toxic relationship, shedding her broken identity in the process regardless of what her ex-lover said.

“Broken” by Sonata Arctica

Song Year: 2003

From their album Winterheart’s Guild, “Broken” is about a man losing his identity and sense of self after facing a breakup, forcing him to reevaluate his life and to try and conjure up a new sense of self to start over.

“Eye in the Sky” by The Alan Parsons Project

Song Year: 1983

“Eye in the Sky” details a man realizing the real identity of his lover after a breakup, initially viewing them as nothing but perfect. It goes through how he initially thought he knew everything about them but realizing that it was nothing but an illusion that he conjured up out of thin air.

Best Songs About Identity, Final Thoughts

And there you have it; 40 songs about identity, belonging, and having an identity crisis from various music genres, so anyone can find a song to relate to.

Some of these song’s themes are vaguer than others, and you might not initially perceive one of them as being about identity or belonging, but that’s okay. The best thing about creative works is that you can interpret them the way you want to.

Regardless, these forty songs should be a good starting point for music about identity. Happy listening!