Looking for songs about narcissists?
A brief encounter with a narcissist is enough to destabilize your day.
It seems like the only way to deal with them is to quickly recognize them for the self-centered, manipulative, and cruel people that they truly are and stay as far away from them as possible.
But it’s not that easy if they’re a part of your life—whether as a family member, co-worker, or friend.
This collection of songs explores the frustration and struggle of dealing with narcissists. Hopefully, the songs resonate with you and reminds you that you’re not alone in this experience.
1. I Want You to Want Me, Cheap Trick
“I want you to want me. I need you to need me. I'd love you to love me.”
This song is from the point of view of a narcissist. In it, the singer is expressing their deep need to be admired and the center of attention.
To ensure they hold someone’s attention, narcissists make all kinds of promises. But once they get what they need, they rarely fulfill those promises.
2. You’re So Vain, Carly Simon
“You’re so vain you probably think this song is about you.”
This song describes some of the characteristics of a narcissist, highlighting their extreme vanity and tendency to tell grandiose stories about their accomplishments.
3. Girl, The Beatles
“When I think of all the times I tried so hard to leave her. She will turn to me and start to cry. And she promises the earth to me and I believe her. After all this time I don't know why.”
Narcissists don’t like it when people around them exude genuine self-confidence. They hate it when you seem to be invincible. For this reason, they’ll work hard to tear another person’s self-esteem to shreds.
In this song, a narcissistic girlfriend constantly manipulates her partner and puts him down to ensure that he doesn’t realize how awful she truly is and leave her.
4. We All Sleep Alone, Cher
“Nobody, nowhere, holds the key to your heart. When love's a possession, it'll tear you apart. You may have lovers wherever you roam. But sooner or later, ooh, we all sleep alone.”
This song describes the reality narcissists face when it comes to relationships. Because they are unable to truly love other people, they eventually end up alone.
5. Happier Than Ever, Billie Eilish
“I knew when I asked you to be cool about what I was tellin' you, you'd do the opposite of what you said you'd do. And I'd end up more afraid. Don't say it isn't fair. You clearly werеn't aware that you made me misеrable. When I'm away from you, I'm happier than ever.”
This song is about someone who sees the big difference in her life from when she was in an abusive relationship and now that she’s away from her narcissist partner.
The narrator feels she’s happier now that the narcissist isn’t in her life. She also no longer has to deal with the frustration of all those promises that the narcissist didn’t keep.
6. For Her, Fiona Apple
“Treating his wife like less than a guest. Getting his girl to clean up his mess. Never showing weakness unless it's award's season.”
Narcissists are very good at hiding their true selves. They often have a charisma that draws people to them.
This song describes the hidden persona of the narcissist. They often present a clean image to the public, but are horrible monsters to the people in their inner circles.
7. Mean, Taylor Swift
“You, with your switching sides and your wildfire lies and your humiliation. You have pointed out my flaws again as if I don't already see them. I walk with my head down, trying to block you out 'cause I'll never impress you. I just wanna feel okay again.”
This song is about how a narcissist can cause suffering in other people just through the words they say. Taylor Swift wrote this song after a critic gave her a scathing review, proclaiming Taylor wouldn’t go far in her musical career.
Taylor Swift proved him wrong. However, the critic will always be remembered as the mean person who inspired this song.
8. Hell on Heels, Pistol Annies
“I'm hell on heels. Say what you will. I done made the devil a deal. He made me pretty. He made me smart. And I'm gonna to break me a million hearts. I'm hell on heels, baby, I'm comin' for you.”
Here’s a song about how narcissists often have a grandiose view of their own abilities. In it, a narcissist woman takes advantage of men’s interest in her, leaving them brokenhearted.
9. Because of You, Kelly Clarkson
“Because of you I never stray too far from the sidewalk. Because of you I learned to play on the safe side, so I don't get hurt. Because of you I find it hard to trust not only me, but everyone around me. Because of you I am afraid.”
Being in a relationship with a narcissist can be a traumatic experience. This song describes some of the effects of this type of relationship.
After enduring a relationship with a narcissist for so long, it can be difficult to find yourself again.
10. Holier Than Thou, Metallica
“Before you judge me, take a look at you. Can't you find something better to do? Point the finger, slow to understand. Arrogance and ignorance go hand in hand.”
This song highlights a narcissist’s perception that they are better than everyone else.
However, the real reason narcissists put others down isn’t because they’re superior. They actually don’t have a real sense of self. Instead, they use other people’s opinions about them as a barometer for their self-worth.
That’s why they always need to hear people telling them how good they are. It’s the only way they feel confident.
If they encounter criticism, they will do everything in their power to discredit the one who criticized them.
11. Therapist, Mae Muller
“You don't bring home roses. You just bring home stress. You never say I look good when I'm looking my best. And if we're staying up all night it's 'cause you're moaning and not the good kind. Want you to be happy but not at my expense.”
In this song, a girlfriend counts the ways her partner let her down. In her narration, it’s revealed that her partner could be a narcissist.
Eventually, she realizes that, although she wants her partner to be happy, she doesn’t want that to happen at the expense of her own happiness and sanity.
12. Stranger, Hillary Duff
“There's no kindness in your eyes. The way you look at me, it's just not right. I can tell what's going on this time. There's a stranger in my life. You're not the person that I once knew. Are you scared to let them know it's you?”
This song is about a narcissist being found out by their partner.
As mentioned above, a narcissist often keeps their true personality hidden from other people. They often exhibit their cruelty and meanness to the people who they sense will tolerate it, such as their spouses.
13. Human Leech, Willow
“You suck the life right out of me. I was so blind I could not see. It sucks 'cause you give me butterflies. But when I'm alone I cry seas from my eyes.”
This song is about a person’s experience being in a relationship with someone who has narcissistic tendencies. Narcissists don’t affirm or uplift the people they’re in relationships with. Instead, they drain them of vitality, just like a leech would.
14. You Should Be Sad, Halsey
“Cause you can't love nothin' unless there's somethin' in it for you.”
This is about a woman who loves someone who is narcissistic, but breaks up with him. She realizes how toxic the relationship truly is.
The woman is glad that she was able to walk away when she still could.
15. Family Portrait, P!nk
“You fight about money, 'bout me and my brother. And this I come home to, this is my shelter. It ain't easy growing up in World War III. Never knowing what love could be, you'll see. I don't want love to destroy me like it has done my family.”
This is a song about growing up in a family where both parents are abusive and narcissistic.
Sometimes, people end up with narcissistic family members. Growing up in this kind of household creates trauma that cannot be easily resolved without the right kind of intervention.
16. Liar, Henry Rollins
“I'll hide behind a smile and understanding eyes and I'll tell you things that you already know so you can say I really identify with you, so much. And all the time that you're needing me is just the time that I'm bleeding you.”
Here’s a song about what narcissists are looking for in a relationship.
When they sense a person is vulnerable to their advances, they often use manipulative tactics like love bombing to gain their trust.
17. I’m Still Standing, Elton John
“Once, I never coulda hoped to win. You're startin' down the road, leavin' me again. The threats you made were meant to cut me down. And if our love was just a circus, you'd be a clown by now.”
This song is about someone who has survived a relationship with a narcissist. Now that he’s away from the toxic person, he can assess the damage and see that he’s still in one piece.
18. Killing Me Slowly, Bad Wolves
“So I keep you at arm's length and let you go. But I don't wanna give you away.”
Baiting, manipulating, and lying are all behaviors that narcissists excel at. It is important to know what you are dealing with when you have a narcissist in your life.
19. Behind Blue Eyes
“No one knows what it's like to be hated, to be fated to telling only lies.”
Narcissists are often aware of what they are. This song is sung from the perspective of a narcissist who is aware of his tendencies and tells it as it is.
20. Look What You Made Me Do, Taylor Swift
“I don't like your perfect crime. How you laugh when you lie. You said the gun was mine. Isn't cool, no, I don't like you.”
Narcissists are often vindictive. Once someone figures out what they are, they will go to great lengths to destroy that person’s reputation and discredit them.
The only way to deal with narcissists is to stay away once you’ve figured out what they are. If decide to confront them, be sure to do it with solid evidence and with plenty of witnesses.
21. I Don’t Care Anymore, Phil Collins
“You can tell everybody 'bout the state I'm in. You won't catch me crying 'cause I just can't win. I don't care anymore.”
Narcissists often use threats to get what they want. This song shows you how to respond to narcissists who may be dragging your name through the mud.
22. Linger, The Cranberries
“If you, if you could get by trying not to lie things wouldn't be so confused. And I wouldn't feel so used. But you always really knew I just want to be with you.”
For those who have not encountered narcissists before, the signs can be difficult to recognize. Often, it takes a long time to discover that the person in your life is narcissistic.
In this song, a woman finally starts catching on to the fact that her partner is a narcissist. She identifies the lies and the feeling that she’s being used.
23. Narcissist, Avery Anna
“We both know you only love you. Did you know they have a name for that?”
In this song, a woman becomes a narcissist’s victim. She declares that her parents don’t like her partner after seeing their daughter cry because of this narcissist.
24. Sociopath, Olivia O’Brien
“How do you feel nothing when I feel it all? I'm sick to my stomach and you don’t even call me. Why don't you feel guilty? Your conscience should be filthy. Do you even miss me at all?”
Sociopathic and narcissistic tendencies are often intertwined. In this song, a woman deals with a partner who doesn’t care about her feelings.
She berates herself, as if she deserves the treatment she gets from him. She is a victim of gaslighting, and is second-guessing her own perceptions.
25. Pearl, Katy Perry
“She could be a Statue of Liberty. She could be a Joan of Arc. But he's scared of the light that's inside of her so he keeps her in the dark.”
A narcissist can’t stand someone who they perceive to be more talented or popular than they are. So, they discredit those people and gaslight them until they lose trust in their own brilliance.
Final Thoughts on Songs About Narcissists
Encounters with narcissists are often disastrous. They can leave you feeling drained and unsure of yourself
The best defense is to be able to identify them quickly and stay as far away from them as possible.
Hopefully, today’s song compilation will give you the strength to overcome the trauma of dealing with a very toxic person.
If you’re looking for more song compilations for specific topics, here are several posts worth checking out:
- 37 Best Songs About Heroes & Real-Life Heroism
- 31 Best Songs About Confidence to Make You Feel Invincible
- 43 Best Songs About Happiness and Good Times
Finally, if you want to identify YOUR personality type, then take one of these 11 personality tests to better understand what makes you tick.
