Eating disorders are a deeply personal and often painful topic, but music has a unique ability to articulate feelings that are difficult to express. Many artists have used their platforms to share their experiences with eating disorders, offering solidarity and a sense of understanding to others who may be going through similar struggles. This list of songs about eating disorders captures various aspects of the journey, from feelings of isolation and body image issues to the emotional battles with control and self-worth.
Be sure to check out the Songs About Eating Disorders Playlist at the bottom of this page.
Best Songs About Eating Disorders
1. “Skyscraper” – Demi Lovato
Lyric Sample: “You can take everything I have, you can break everything I am.”
“Skyscraper” is a powerful track of strength and resilience. Demi Lovato uses this song to share her struggles with eating disorders and the toll they take on mental health, offering hope to others facing similar battles.
2. “Grapefruit” – Tove Lo
Lyric Sample: “What I see is not me, what I see is not me.”
Tove Lo’s “Grapefruit” offers a raw and honest depiction of the internal conflict that comes with eating disorders. The song addresses the obsessive nature of body image issues, highlighting the constant battle between self-perception and reality.
3. “Somebody I Once Knew” – Dead Celebrity Status
Lyric Sample: “I’m so sorry for all that I’ve done, I’m so sorry for what I’ve become.”
“Somebody I Once Knew” paints a stark picture of the emotional and physical toll of an eating disorder. The lyrics vividly express the internal struggle and the impact of societal pressures, capturing the torment of someone spiraling into self-destructive behavior.
4. “Prom Queen” – Beach Bunny
Lyric Sample: “Maybe I should try harder, you should lower your expectations.”
“Prom Queen” addresses the pressures of societal beauty standards and the damaging effects they can have on self-esteem. The song captures the emotional turmoil of trying to meet unrealistic expectations while struggling with insecurities and body image.
5. “Ana’s Song (Open Fire)” – Silverchair
Lyric Sample: “Open fire on the needs designed, on my knees for you.”
Silverchair’s “Ana’s Song (Open Fire)” directly addresses the struggles of living with an eating disorder. Written by lead singer Daniel Johns, this deeply personal song sheds light on the emotional and physical toll that anorexia can take on a person.
6. “Victoria’s Secret” – Jax
Lyric Sample: “I know Victoria’s secret, and, girl, you wouldn’t believe, she’s an old man who lives in Ohio.”
“Victoria’s Secret” calls out the unrealistic beauty standards perpetuated by the fashion industry, exposing how these ideals are driven by profit. The song empowers listeners to break free from societal pressures and embrace their own bodies.
7. “Paper Bag” – Fiona Apple
Lyric Sample: “Hunger hurts, and I want him so bad, oh, it kills.”
“Paper Bag” highlights the painful conflict between wanting love and feeling undeserving. Fiona Apple’s emotional lyrics depict the struggle of wanting someone but knowing that their messy, insecure state makes love feel unattainable.
8. “I Go Hungry” – Mother Mother
Lyric Sample: “When I go hungry, I go hungry, I go hungry for the truth.”
In “I Go Hungry,” Mother Mother explores themes of self-image and the lengths someone might go to for validation. The lyrics highlight the internal struggle of using appearance and persona to gain affection, while confronting the emptiness that comes with it.
9. “Skinny Skinny” – Ashton Irwin
Lyric Sample: “I wanna eat, I wanna stay thin.”
“Skinny Skinny” is about the societal pressures to maintain an ideal appearance and the internal conflict of self-worth. The lyrics express the struggle of balancing self-destructive thoughts with the desire for acceptance and the pain of constantly feeling torn between different desires.
10. “House With No Mirrors” – Sasha Alex Sloane
Lyric Sample: “If I lived in a house with no mirrors, where the walls didn’t talk back at me.”
Sasha Alex Sloane’s “House With No Mirrors” highlights the longing for a life free from self-judgment and societal standards. It’s about a desire to escape the constant pressure and criticism we face.
11. “Hunger” – Florence + the Machine
Lyric Sample: “At seventeen, I started to starve myself, I thought that love was a kind of emptiness.”
“Hunger” explores themes of self-destructive behaviors and the search for meaning in a world filled with illusions of love. Florence Welch sings about the longing to fill an emotional void, capturing the complex relationship between love, addiction, and the emptiness that often accompanies it.
12. “She’s Falling Apart” – Lisa Loeb
Lyric Sample: “She gets home from school too early, and closes the door to her room.”
This song portrays the internal struggles of a girl dealing with emotional pain and isolation. Loeb captures the quiet sadness and desperate attempts to hide the truth from her family, as she silently breaks down despite the lack of external recognition.
13. “Skeleton” – Jessie Paege
Lyric Sample: “But I’m not gonna let you turn me to a skeleton, skeleton.”
This song addresses the internal conflict of battling an eating disorder, with the narrator refusing to succumb to the destructive thoughts and behaviors that threaten their well-being. It perfectly captures the emotional struggle and the desire for self-forgiveness amid a tough journey toward recovery.
14. “Eyesore” – Maria Mena
Lyric Sample: “Ana has this voice and it calms me down, it gives me purpose.”
“Eyesore” explores the toxic relationship with an eating disorder, personifying it as “Ana,” who offers a false sense of control. It vividly captures the internal struggle, making it a poignant representation of the emotional challenges faced by those dealing with such disorders.
15. “Pretty” – Lauren Alaina
Lyric Sample: “All the other girls are thinner, so you skip another dinner.”
This song addresses the societal pressures around beauty and body image, while encouraging self-love and inner beauty. Alaina’s lyrics remind us that our true worth can’t be found in the mirror, but in the love and kindness we show to others.
16. “I’m Not Hungry” – Skela
Lyric Sample: “Maybe the problem, the problem is me.”
This song explores the internal conflict and self-blame that often comes with eating disorders. The lyrics express a deep sense of struggle with hunger and health, as the narrator wrestles with feelings of inadequacy and self-criticism.
17. “Numbers” – Pompeii
Lyric Sample: “My problems hide in numbers that leave when I gag and heave.”
“Numbers” is about the internal struggle of dealing with eating disorders, using numbers and weight as a symbol for control and self-worth. The narrator’s battle with their body and the harmful habits they adopt highlights the mental and physical toll of trying to conform to societal expectations.
18. “Courage” – Superchick
Lyric Sample: “I don’t know the first time I felt unbeautiful, the day I chose not to eat.”
This song highlights the inner turmoil of struggling with self-image and the battle with eating disorders. The lyrics capture the fleeting moments of hope and the constant fight for survival, making it a powerful anthem for anyone facing similar challenges.
19. “Waiting To Be Weightless” – ElysianSoul
Lyric Sample: “Just waiting to be weightless, that’s all I’m asking for.”
This song covers the mental and emotional complexities of anorexia, portraying the intense desire for control and the distorted perception of one’s body. The haunting imagery and raw lyrics paint a vivid picture of the struggle, highlighting the internal battle that defines the disorder.
20. “Orange Juice” – Melanie Martinez
Lyric Sample: “You turn oranges to orange juice, into there, then spit it out of you.”
In this song, Melanie Martinez uses the act of turning oranges into orange juice as a metaphor for bulimia, illustrating the disordered behavior of consuming food only to expel it. The lyrics highlight the internal conflict and distorted self-image that comes with struggling with an eating disorder.
21. “Skin and Bones” – Marianas Trench
Lyric Sample: “Feeling so easy, make me skin and bones, I’m always on my knees for you.”
In this song, Marianas Trench portrays the intense emotional and physical toll of self-destructive behavior, using the imagery of becoming “skin and bones” to show inner emptiness. The lyrics express vulnerability, pain, and a sense of powerlessness while grappling with an overwhelming need for external validation.
What Makes Songs About Eating Disorders So Relatable?
Songs about eating disorders not only capture the internal battles faced by many, but they also provide a sense of solidarity and understanding.
By addressing the emotional complexities of self-worth, control, and body image, these songs help listeners feel less alone in their experiences.
Conclusion
Songs about eating disorders offer a soundtrack for understanding the struggles that come with these mental health challenges. Whether it’s through powerful lyrics of pain or calls for self-empowerment, each song serves as a reminder that healing and hope are possible.
These songs can help those battling eating disorders find comfort, and they also create a space for important conversations about body image and mental health.
Be sure to check out more of our Song Themes articles, such as Songs About Alcohol.