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Music is a powerful vehicle of expression, affirmation, and healing.
If you’re looking for something that can help you to adopt a certain idea or alter your perception about something, music can help with that, too.
Neuroscientists have now discovered that human brains are hardwired to respond to music. Throughout history, music has played a key role in establishing cultures. In addition, music is intertwined with our evolution.
We tune into our favorite songs to be comforted, empowered, healed, and inspired.
If you’re on a journey to get to know yourself or learn to love yourself better, songs about loving yourself can be of assistance.
To help you in this quest, we have compiled a collection of songs that empower you to love yourself for who you are.
These songs remind us of our true worth and offer a new perspective about our relationships, life choices, and self-image.
Let’s check out the songs in this collection.
1. Lose You to Love Me, Selena Gomez
“We'd always go into it blindly. I needed to lose you to find me. This dancing was killing me softly. I needed to hate you to love me, yeah.”
Many of us enter into relationships blindly. In the process, we can lose the sense of who we are.
In this song, Selena Gomez sings about reclaiming the self that has been lost after going through what must have been a toxic relationship. (Check out these songs about deserving better in relationships.)
2. You Should See Me in a Crown, Billie Eilish
“You should see me in a crown. I'm gonna run this nothing town. Watch me make 'em bow.”
Some people who lack self-love find that they are underestimated by others. This is a song about reclaiming your personal power so you can rise above putdowns you may have experienced before.
3. Pushover, Etta James
“You took me for a pushover. Oh you thought I was a pushover. Whoa, I'm not a pushover.”
In this song, Etta James demands that the person who loves her also treats her right.
When people truly love themselves, they usually know what they want out of life. They don’t compromise their happiness for other people’s attention and live their lives to the fullest.
4. Broken & Beautiful, Kelly Clarkson
“I know I'm Superwoman, I know I'm strong. I know I've got this 'cause I've had it all along. I'm phenomenal, I'm enough. I don't need to tell you to tell me who to be.”
When learning to love yourself, you eventually stop worrying about other people’s opinions about you.
In this song, Kelly Clarkson lists all the qualities that she appreciates about herself. She’s phenomenal and declares that she’s enough.
What personal qualities are you most proud of?
5. I Love Me, Meghan Trainor
“I don't mean to brag, I don't mean to boast. I love y'all, but I love me the most.”
Being able to love ourselves first is the source of the love and compassion that flow from us. It’s vital that you should never neglect this important aspect of who you are.
6. Stronger Woman, Jewel
“I'm gonna love myself more than anyone else. Believe in me, even if someone can't see the stronger woman in me.”
Are you your own worst critic? If you are learning to love yourself better, the habit of being too critical about yourself has to stop.
Believe in your own abilities. Be your own biggest fan. Through this song, Jewel reminds listeners to love and appreciate themselves.
7. 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, no. It's okay with not being perfect.”
When you are your own worst critic, you often expect perfection from yourself.
This song reminds you that it’s okay if you’re not physically perfect. What you have to remember when you’re on the journey to self-love is that you are enough.
8. This Is Me, Keala Seattle and the Greatest Showman Ensemble
“I won't let them break me down to dust. I know that there's a place for us, for we are glorious.”
It’s sad that there are many of us who are forced to conform to society’s standards of beauty. We shun our imperfections and hide our true selves in a bid to be accepted by others.
This empowering song tells us that it doesn’t have to be that way. We should never allow others’ standards to define us. We are special and glorious in our own ways.
9. No Scrubs, TLC
“I don't want your number, no. I don't want to give you mine, no. I don't want to meet you nowhere, no. I don't want none of your time.”
Self-awareness leads to self-acceptance and self-love.
In this song from TLC, listeners are reminded that they have a say as to the type of romantic partners they choose. This isn’t being picky—it’s holding one’s partner to standards that will establish a fulfilling and loving relationship.
10. Be Your Own Girl, The Wallflowers
“But you don't have to be his girl. And you don't have to be my girl. You can always be your own girl.”
Sometimes, the love we have for another person isn’t reciprocated. When this happens, some of us work even harder to gain the person’s affections.
This often leads to more heartbreak and unrequited love.
This song reminds us that we can always choose to walk away from those who don’t return our feelings.
We can choose to lavish our attention and affections on ourselves, learning how to love ourselves instead.
11. The Voice Within, Christina Aguilera
“When there's no one else, look inside yourself. Like your oldest friend, just trust the voice within. Then you'll find the strength that will guide your way. You'll learn to begin to trust the voice within.”
This song reminds us to trust ourselves. Christina Aguilera sings about the value of believing in our own strength to see us through the challenges and difficulties of life.
12. The Way I Am, Charlie Puth
“I'mma tell 'em all, I'mma tell 'em all that you could either hate me or love me. But that's just the way I am.”
In The Way I Am, Charlie Puth reminds us that we can’t please everybody. There will always be people who disapprove of our choices in life.
But you know what? It doesn’t matter.
As long as you accept yourself for who you are, everything will be fine.
13. Fabulous, Ally Brooke
“But now I understand, that if I'm gonna love someone, I'm just gonna love myself. I already know I'm fabulous.”
In this song, Ally Brooke decides that she has to make herself a priority. She realizes that she’s fabulous and totally deserving of the love and attention that she has previously only given to others. You are, too!
14. If You Don't Love Yourself, The Script
“How can you love if you don't love yourself? If you don't love yourself, you can love no one else.”
By failing to love yourself, you make yourself incapable of truly loving another person. As complicated as love might seem, it’s really as simple and as that.
15. Be Good to Yourself, Journey
“Be good to yourself when nobody else will. Oh, be good to yourself. You're walkin' on a high wire, caught in a crossfire. Oh, be good to yourself.”
In this song, Journey encourages us to be good to ourselves, especially when we’re going through high-stress situations.
This could mean pampering yourself through self-care activities, or it could mean practicing mindfulness and developing the habit of gratitude.
If you chose the path of self-care, here are over 200 self-care ideas to help you cope with life.
16. Who You Are, Jessie J
“Sometimes it's hard to follow your heart. Tears don't mean you're losing. Everybody's bruising. Just be true to who you are.”
Loving yourself means believing in your own potential.
If you have a dream that other people are trying to dissuade you from pursuing, don’t lose hope. Never give up on what you truly want.
Stay true to your path. It might be challenging, but achieving your dream is worth the effort.
17. Greatest Love of All, Whitney Houston
“The greatest love of all is easy to achieve. Learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all.”
This classic hit from Whitney Houston is a great reminder why we should love ourselves. It is only through loving ourselves that we can offer the best that we are to the world.
18. After the Storm, Kali Uchis ft. Tyler, The Creator, and Bootsy Collins
“So if you need a hero, just look in the mirror. No one's gonna save you now, so better save yourself. And everybody's hurting, everybody's going through it. But you just can't give up now, 'cause you gotta save yourself.”
In this song, Kali Uchis sings about how people who are determined to win never quit, even though they go through hard times.
This song is also a powerful reminder that we don’t need to wait around for someone to rescue us. We can be the heroes of our own lives.
19. Extraordinary Machine, Fiona Apple
“If there was a better way to go, then it would find me. I can't help it, the road just rolls out behind me. Be kind to me, or treat me mean. I'll make the most of it. I'm an extraordinary machine.”
In this song, Fiona Apple lists everything that makes her an amazingly resilient person. It is a wonderful reminder that each of us possesses an inner strength that can take anything that life throws at us.
20. Praying, Kesha
“I'm proud of who I am. No more monsters, I can breathe again. And you said that I was done. Well, you were wrong and the best is yet to come. ‘Cause I can make it on my own, oh. And I don't need you. I found a strength I've never known. I'll bring thunder, I'll bring rain, oh. When I'm finished, they won't even know your name.”
If you’re looking for a song about self-acceptance, this one from Kesha is worth listening to. She sings of finding the inner peace that led her to transcend painful past experiences.
This is a moving song about realizing one’s self-worth and finally having that power to let go of the past.
21. Can I Get an Amen, RuPaul ft. Martha Wash
“All the dreams you had. All the things you've wanted. Don't turn your back. It's not too late. You better love yourself before you love somebody… Can I get an Amen?”
In this song, RuPaul reminds us that all the love we ever need in this lifetime is already within us. And we need to realize that this love isn’t something we should reserve only for other people. We also need to learn how to love ourselves. It is only by doing so that we can truly love others.
22. Freckles, Natasha Bedingfield
“‘Cause a face without freckles is like the sky without the stars. Why waste a second not loving who you are? Those little imperfections make you beautiful, lovable, valuable. They show your personality, inside your heart. Reflecting who you are.”
In this touching song, Natasha Bedingfield sings about loving yourself for who you are. She encourages listeners to embrace their imperfections, considering that these “flaws” are what make us unique.
23. I Love Myself Today, Bif Naked
“I love myself today, not like yesterday. I'm cool, I'm calm. I'm gonna be okay. I love myself today, not like yesterday. Take another look at me now. ‘Cause it's your last look. Your last look forever.”
This song is about taking pride in who you are and not caring about other people’s opinions. It encourages listeners to freely express themselves and live life according to their own terms.
24. You Deserve to Be Loved, Tracy Dawn
“But you deserve to be loved. You deserve something real. It's time to heal, it's time to feel… love.”
The title of this song tells listeners something very important: Each of us deserves to be loved.
Some of us may have experienced being in a relationship with a toxic person, where we needed to work extra hard to gain their affection and love. Take this song as a weapon to blast that trauma out of the water.
It’s time to make yourself a priority. It’s time to heal.
25. Fabulous, Ally Brooke
“In my past, I put my heart in someone else's hands. Let everybody tell me who I am. But now I understand that if I'm gonna love someone, I'm just gonna love myself. Already know I'm fabulous. I don't need no one else. Say yes, I'm gonna love my curves. And yes, I'm gonna love my scars. And Imma be the only one who's never gonna break my heart.”
This empowering song encourages listeners to realize their own fabulousness. If you are happy even when you’re alone, then you are well on your way to finding the best-kept secret about loving yourself.
26. Scars to Your Beautiful, Alessia Cara
“And there’s 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.”
This song is a loving reminder that you don’t have to change who you are to be accepted and loved. Instead, it tells us that we need to learn to accept who we truly are, then the world will follow.
27. Masterpiece, Jessie J
“I still fall on my face sometimes. And I can’t color inside the lines. ‘Cause I’m perfectly incomplete. I’m still working on my masterpiece…”
In this song, Jessie J tells her listeners that she has failings, too. However, she’s totally okay with her imperfections.
She recognizes that she’s a “work in progress” and is still a long way from becoming the best version of herself.
28. Cup of Tea, Kacey Musgraves
“’Cause you can’t be everybody’s cup of tea. Some like it black, some like it green. Nobody’s everybody’s favorite. So you might as well just make it how you please. ’Cause you can’t be everybody’s cup of tea. Why would you wanna be?”
We can never please everybody. This is why Kacey Musgraves suggests we might as well live life the way we want it.
Why waste your time conforming to other people’s expectations when you can use it to start fulfilling your dreams?
29. Fight Song, Rachel Platten
“This is my fight song. Take back my life song. Prove I’m alright song. My power’s turned on. Starting right now, I’ll be strong. I’ll play my fight song. And I don’t really care if nobody else believes. ’Cause I’ve still got a lot of fight left in me.”
Have you ever felt like giving up in your pursuit of your vision? This song is a perfect anthem for self-empowerment.
It is about recognizing your own strength, embracing it, and using it to propel yourself forward, despite the discouraging words you might hear from others or a low point you might currently find yourself in.
30. Me Too, Meghan Trainor
“I thank God every day that I woke up feelin’ this way. And I can’t help lovin’ myself. And I don’t need nobody else.”
Here’s a song that celebrates your own unique self. It’s about being happy and proud of who you are and what you’ve achieved in life.
31. Don’t Hide Your Magic, Emily Arrow
“And don’t hide your magic. Don’t hide your magic. ’Cause you’ve got a spark that could light up the dark. And it’s so fantastic.”
This song is a wonderful way to introduce kids to the concept of self-love. It tells us that we all have a unique spark.
We shouldn’t shy away from it. Instead, we use it to shine a light in dark places so others will be inspired to shine, too.
32. Something Beautiful, Tori Kelly
“Breathe in and let it go, oh. Your tears are not for nothing. Let them fall off. In every teardrop there is something beautiful. You are stronger than you know, oh. Oh, you’re something beautiful.”
Sometimes, we don’t realize how far we’ve come in our struggles. We fail to comprehend that we have the capacity to overcome the challenges life throws at us.
Here’s a song reminding you that you have an inner strength that can help you through the most difficult times. Your tenacity is a beautiful and inspirational thing.
33. Try, Colbie Caillat
“You don’t have to try so hard. You don’t have to give it all away. You just have to get up, get up, get up. You don’t have to change a single thing.”
A lot of women find it hard to accept their flaws, considering them something shameful that should be hidden. Here’s a song that empowers listeners to accept their imperfections.
In doing so, their true beauty is revealed.
34. I Am Not My Hair, India.Arie ft. Akon
“I am not my hair. I am not this skin. I am not your expectations, no. I am not my hair. I am not this skin. I am a soul that lives within.”
This song expresses defiance against society’s tendency to judge others based on their physical attributes. It encourages us to look beyond the superficial and see the beautiful soul within each person we encounter.
This way, we can empower each other to believe we all deserve to be loved.
35. Roar, Katy Perry
“Now I’m floating like a butterfly, stinging like a bee. I earned my stripes. I went from zero to my own hero.”
Self-love means looking out for your own well-being—establishing boundaries and asserting them when necessary.
This song is about someone who finally learns to love herself and embraces her personal power, using it to overcome the challenges in her way.
36. Stronger, Britney Spears
“’Cause now I’m stronger than yesterday. Now it’s nothing but my way. My loneliness ain’t killing me no more. I, I’m stronger.”
Many people are afraid to be lonely. They’d rather endure being in a toxic relationship than be alone.
Here’s a song about finally realizing one’s self-worth. The person becomes stronger with this realization. Loneliness is no longer considered an unfavorable situation.
37. I Am Enough, Cimorelli
“To everyone that says I’m beautiful, to every man that gave me up. If everybody cares or hates my guts, it’s all the same. I am enough. For all the words they said that cut me down and all the ones who gave me up. No one can dim my light or shut me down. I’m still alive, and I am enough.”
Self-love starts with realizing that your sense of worth isn’t dependent on other people’s opinions about how you look, how you act, or how you live your life.
This song is a powerful reminder that the only thing that matters is how you think about yourself. It encourages you to be proud of the way you choose to live your life.
38. You’re Worth It, Cimorelli
“When will you realize? Baby, you’re worth it. You don’t have to do anything to earn it. Baby, you’re perfect. You deserve it. When will you see what I see and realize you’re worth it?”
Have you ever experienced impostor syndrome? Here’s a song that affirms you’re worth it, and that you deserve all the good things that come your way.
39. Invincible, Kelly Clarkson
“Now I am invincible. No, I ain’t a scared little girl no more. Yeah, I am invincible. What was I running for? I was hiding from the world. I was so afraid, I felt so unsure. But now I am invincible. And I am a perfect storm.”
Have you struggled with self-acceptance and lived most of your life with the ghosts of past failures and fears? Here’s a song about overcoming all those fears of being inadequate. It is about embracing who you truly are in order to become the most powerful version of yourself.
40. 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.”
Authentic self-expression is difficult when the people around you demand that you behave in a certain way. In this song, Cass Elliot encourages listeners to embrace their individuality and live life the way they want.
41. Flowers, Miley Cyrus
“I can buy myself flowers, write my name in the sand. Talk to myself for hours. Say things you don’t understand. I can take myself dancing. And I can hold my own hand. Yeah, I can love me better than you can.”
Going through a breakup can wreak havoc on one’s self-esteem. This song provides a dose of self-empowerment, reminding listeners that they can love themselves better than anybody else.
Final Thoughts
Songs about loving yourself often reveal the sad reality that many of us don’t see ourselves as worthy of love.
We hope that this collection inspires you to treat yourself lovingly, and to accept your quirks and imperfections as part of the wonderful person you are.
If you need pointers on how to love yourself more, you can check out this post for 15 eye-opening tips.
Also, you might want to check out this post for self-love affirmations that boost your confidence.
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..
