25 Songs About Acceptance of Others (and Yourself)

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Acceptance paves the way to true freedom, lasting happiness, and peace.

When you are able to value yourself and others unconditionally, you embrace everything that is good in others and in you, as well as the not-so-good and the not-so-perfect.

Practicing acceptance can be one of the most challenging things we need to do for our personal development, because many of us are our own harshest critics.

In addition, some of us are caught up in prejudices that make it difficult to accept others who are different from us. Throughout history, we’ve seen the heartbreaking consequences of people’s refusal to accept others.

We also personally reap the consequences of our inability to accept who we are. We experience low self-esteem, dissatisfaction with life, and even depression.

How to Become More Accepting

In order to become happier, we need to learn to accept others and ourselves unconditionally. There are some strategies you can use in order to become a more accepting person.

1. Learn to stop judging yourself and others. Stop looking for mistakes in other people and in your own actions and opinions. Instead, make it a habit to focus on what’s positive in any situation.

2. Be mindful of what you have and what you are right now. Getting into the habit of mindfulness teaches you to appreciate what you have right now.

3. Come to terms with the fact that we are all different. This is an opportunity for you to develop more empathy for yourself and others. Understand that we are all unique, with different upbringings and different views of how to live life.

Today’s article offers a collection of songs about acceptance. These songs empower us to come to terms with the imperfections we all possess. They also celebrate the uniqueness of each one of us.

Finally, they are bridges we can use to heal our divisive communities and quiet our inner critics.

Read on and discover powerful songs to add to your playlist today.

1. I'm O.K., Styx

Cause I believed them when they said I must do things their way. They tried to cast me in their mold. But I just had to say that I'm O.K. I'm O.K. this way. Yes, I'm O.K.

If you’ve ever been worried about not meeting someone’s expectations of how you should live your life, this song is for you.

It takes inner strength to refuse other people’s demands about how you should live. This song empowers listeners to stand their ground and declare that, yes, they’re okay with how life is going for them.

2. Where Is the Love, The Black Eyed Peas

And to discriminate only generates hate. And when you hate then you're bound to get irate. Madness is what you demonstrate. And that's exactly how hate works and operates. Man, we gotta set it straight. Take control of your mind and just meditate. And let your soul just gravitate to the love so the whole world celebrate it.

This song encourages acceptance of others. It reminds us that hate comes from discrimination.

The song urges us to become more loving and learn how to control our impulse to judge and discriminate.

3. Work in Progress (Growing Pains), Mary J Blige

Just like you sometimes I get down. Sometimes I just wanna cry. Sometimes I get depressed. And just like me, tryna be complete. Just understand, we're all just a work in progress.

This song is about making an assessment of where you are right now. It encourages listeners to acknowledge all that they have been through – the joy and pain – in order to accept these experiences as part of their personal growth.

4. With You, Jessica Simpson

But with you I can let my hair down. I can say anything crazy. I know you'll catch me right before I hit the ground…

This sweet song is about a person expressing her happiness at being totally accepted for who she is by her partner.

People who are unconditionally accepted for who they are can blossom into their fullest potential. This is the restorative power of acceptance.

5. Make Up, Avril Lavigne

I'm not wearing any makeup. Won't hide who I am. I'll be what I am. I'm just being honest with myself once again. I'm my only friend.

In this unreleased single from Avril Lavigne, she expresses how she refuses to hide who she truly is. She does not wear any make up (i.e., a mask) and tries to be honest with herself.

When we practice acceptance, we discard our inner critics and start becoming friends with ourselves.

6. Beautiful, Christina Aguilera

I am beautiful no matter what they say. Words can't bring me down. I am beautiful in every single way. Yes, words can't bring me down. So don't you bring me down today.

Media has impossible standards for beauty. As a result, many men and women feel inadequate and pressured to conform to these standards.

It can be demeaning and even dangerous to work so hard to conform that you fail to recognize that you are beautiful in your own way.

This song from Christina Aguilera is a powerful eye-opener about standing up and declaring that you are beautiful, regardless of the media’s standards.

7. Express Yourself, Labirinth

I say the same thing twice, I'm awkward when I speak. Ain't got the perfect smile, don't turn heads on my street. Trying to be a superstar like everybody else. But being myself is something I do well. Whatever you do, do it good. Whatever you do…, Lord,… do it good. Alright.

This song exudes a special kind of joy. It is about accepting your limitations and imperfections without complaint. It empowers listeners and reminds us that, despite our shortcomings, what matters most is that we do our best in everything we do.

8. I Am Enough, Daphne Willis

I am enough for the laughter, for the life that I'm after. Enough for my wildest dreams. Yeah, coz every flaw from my toe to my jaw is exactly where it's supposed to be.

Speaking of imperfections, here is another song that celebrates our flaws as part of who we are.

In this song, Daphne Willis declares that these flaws are supposed to be there. They are what make us unique.

The song is a powerful declaration that being yourself is sufficient for the life you want.

9. Shine Your Way, Owl City & Yuna

There's an open sky and a reason why you shine, shine your way. There's so much to learn and now it's your turn to shine, shine your way.

This next song is an official soundtrack for DreamWorks Animation’s The Croods. This upbeat track is a cheerful reminder for us to accept who we are and use our skills and talents to express ourselves and shine in our own unique ways.

10. Make Your Own Kind of Music, Cass Elliot

You gotta make your own kind of music. Sing your own special song. Make your own kind of music. Even if nobody else sings along.

Shining in our own unique ways can sometimes cause people who are not receptive to misunderstand us. Regardless of that, this song encourages us to accept who we are and keep making our own music.

11. You Are a Part of Everything, Josh Kelly

You are not alone. You are what you believe. You are not alone. You're a part of everything.

Even when we are misunderstood, this song reminds us that we are never alone. We are part of a bigger whole.

We need to accept our place in the circle and learn to understand that we matter just as we are.

12. Who I Am, Jessica Andrews

So when I make a big mistake, when I fall flat on my face. I know I'll be alright. Should my tender heart be broken. I will cry those teardrops knowin' I will be just fine. ‘Cause nothing changes who I am.

One way to thrive in life is to have a strong support system that accepts and celebrates you for who you are.

In this song, Jessica Andrews pays tribute to the people in her family who supported her, teaching her to believe in herself and cheering her on in her personal journey as a musician. 

13. Imperfection, Saving Jane

This is what you get. This is who I am. Take me now or leave me any way you can. Sometimes I trip and fall. But I know where I stand. And if you're thinking about changing my direction, don't mess with imperfection.

Sometimes, people only love some aspects of who we are. They declare that we are less than perfect and demand that we change the parts of our personalities they find wanting.

This song is about one’s refusal to give in to demands to change who they are. It tells others to accept them in their imperfect form. They can take it or leave it.

14. Just the Way You Are, Bruno Mars

When I see your face there's not a thing that I would change 'cause you're amazing just the way you are. And when you smile the whole world stops and stares for a while. ‘Cause girl, you're amazing just the way you are.

Sadly, many people feel that they are not as beautiful or handsome as the celebrities they see on TV, and this makes them miserable.

This song is about acceptance of one’s natural beauty. Perhaps we don’t can’t see it ourselves, but there will always be someone who admires us just the way we are.

15. Born This Way, Lady Gaga

I'm beautiful in my way 'cause God makes no mistakes. I'm on the right track, baby. I was born this way.

This song is an anthem of self-acceptance. Its powerful message resonates with those who have been made to feel inferior for how they look and how they live their lives.

Its core message is of acceptance of what we are – our capabilities, limitations, and quirks. We need to remember this if we are to be happy.

16. Perfect to Me, Anne-Marie

Don't feel like putting makeup on my cheeks. Do what I wanna. Love every single part of my body. Top to the bottom. I'm not a supermodel from a magazine (nah). I'm okay with not being perfect. ‘Cause that's perfect to me…

The media and the cosmetics and fashion industries set impossible standards for beauty. If you find yourself trying your hardest to change your natural appearance just to conform to these standards, here’s a song with a powerful reminder about self-love.

It is about embracing your own physical features and not allowing others’ definition of beauty to define who you are. This song reminds you that you're already perfect just as you are.

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17. Scars to Your Beautiful, Alessia Cara

And there's a hope that's waiting for you in the dark. You should know you're beautiful just the way you are. And you don't have to change a thing. The world could change its heart. No scars to your beautiful. We're stars and we're beautiful.

Here is another song that affirms your natural beauty.

Alessia Cara assures listeners that you don’t have to change your physical attributes, because you deserve to be accepted for who you are. You are already as breathtaking as the stars.

18. Circus Freak, Kat Ivy

So go ahead and call me a circus freak behind my back. You think I don't know that. I put on quite an act. Being different is never a crime. Standing out with a unique mind. I'm proud to be a circus freak.

This hardcore track describes how someone who was different from her peers was insulted for it and called a “freak.” But she has a rare talent, and by embracing who she is and owning the word “freak,” she is able to soar and share her talent with others.

19. My Skin, Lizzo

I woke up in this, I woke up in this. In my skin. I can't wash it away, so you can't take it away from me. My brown skin.

Racial discrimination is still a rampant social problem. This song is a stand against those who cannot accept people who have a different skin color from their own.

It is also a song about body positivity. In this song, Lizzo sings about loving and accepting the skin and body she’s in.

20. My Body, Beautiful Chorus

My body is fly. My body is beautiful. My body is bold. My body is mine.

Are you capable of accepting your body the way it is right now?

This next song is about body acceptance. The singer praises their body, knowing that it’s the only one they’ve got.

21. So Am I, Ava Max

Do you ever feel like a misfit? Everything inside you is dark and twisted. Oh, but it's okay to be different. ‘Cause, baby, so am I.

Have you ever felt that you’re too different from the people around you? Are you afraid of revealing your true personality because others will think you’re weird?

This song assures you that it’s okay to be different. Even though you’re not aware of it, others also have quirks of their own.

22. Road Less Traveled, Lauren Alaina

You won't make yourself a name if you follow the rules. History gets made when you're acting a fool. So don't hold back and just flaunt it. Show what you got and just own it. No, they can't tear you apart.

If you need encouragement to fully express who you are, this song is for you. It is about doing something different from what the majority does.

This often means breaking some of society’s conventions and standards. However, this song tells listeners that walking a path that only a few travel can often lead to greatness.

23. All Tractors Ain't Green, Jimmie Allen

All guitars don't sound the same. Can't judge whiskey by the bottle. It might go against the grain of that country boy motto. Sometimes what you get ain't always what you see. All fields ain't corn, and all tractors ain't green.

Here’s a song about inclusivity and embracing diversity. The metaphors are related to farming and country life. This song reminds us that each of us is unique, even though we belong in groups.

24. All of Me, John Legend

Cause all of me loves all of you. Love your curves and all your edges. All your perfect imperfections. Give your all to me. I'll give my all to you. You're my end and my beginning. Even when I lose, I'm winning. ‘Cause I give you all of me. And you give me all of you.

This song is a candid appreciation of a loved one, accepting them for their wonderful qualities, and also their least desirable traits and imperfections. All of Me reminds us that when we truly love someone, we’re willing to accept that person wholly and unquestionably.

25. Anyway, Tori Kelly

Because I'm up, I'm down. I'm left, I'm right. Imma be myself all day and night. Whether you leave or stay, this is me any-anyway. I'll do my own thing and that's alright. It's the way I choose to live my life. Whether you leave or stay, this is me any-anyway.

This song is about having the capacity to accept and love yourself, regardless of other people’s opinions or perceptions about you. It is an empowering reminder that we can choose to be our own harshest critic or our own best friend.

Final Thoughts Songs About Acceptance

There you have it – an awesome collection of the most powerful songs about acceptance.

We hope that listening to these tracks will help you become more accepting of who you are and more willing to view others without judgment.

We know that acceptance, both for others and ourselves, does not come easily for many of us. We have to work on it constantly.

One way to develop this virtue is to practice more self-love. Here are some resources to help you get started:

Meanwhile, if you’re looking for more song collections, here are several that are worth checking out:

Finally, if you want to use these songs to make a lasting change to your life, then check out these 100 LIFE GOALS that can help you wake up each morning with a sense of enthusiasm about making progress toward what's important..

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