Because so many relationships are unequal, predatory, and abusive, and songs about relationships are so common in popular music, narcissism comes up in them often. I have posted songs about narcissism before, but I wanted to put them all in one post. I will be posting 20 songs, 10 in each post.
These songs are not ranked (because ranking them is impossible and isn’t my focus here anyway), so the songs are posted in totally random order.
Almost every genre of popular music is represented here. I have tried to include lyric videos whenever possible, so you can read the words.
1. “Narcissist” by The420Four:
Indie stoner garage rock that hits the nail on the head (but is nearly unlistenable). It still belongs on the list.
2. “Mean” by Taylor Swift
The pop country princess seems like someone who’s been in more than her fair share of abusive relationships with narcissistic, selfish men. From what I’ve heard, fame has never gone to her head–she’s super nice and falls in love easily, so she probably attracts narcissistic men who want to use her. But in this song, Taylor finally shows a little badass attitude and calls out her latest narcissist for what he really is in her ridiculously catchy 2012 pop-country hit “Mean.”
3. “Narcissus” by Alanis Morissette
Tribute to a narcissistic lover by the popular ’90s singer. This is one of her more current, less well known songs, but it’s still great.
4. “Building a Mystery” by Sarah McLachlan
The video is so well done in this hauntingly beautiful 1997 hit that I didn’t search for a lyric video. If you want to read the lyrics, I posted them here. This has remained one of my favorite songs ever.
5. “Voices Carry” by ‘Til Tuesday
The turquoise on hot pink typeface is a little hard on the eyes, but this was the only lyric video I could find for this enormously popular 1985 electropop hit about a relationship with a narcissist who wanted to keep their relationship a secret.
6. “Father of Mine” by Everclear
Here’s a hit from the early 2000’s from a man’s perspective–this song was written by the lead singer about his abusive and uncaring father (who was most likely a malignant narcissist) and how it’s still having repercussions on his life as an adult.
7. “You’re So Vain” by Carly Simon
This was a huge radio hit in 1972. Simon wrote this song about the narcissistic actor Warren Beatty, who she had had a stormy one-sided relationship with. I couldn’t find a decent lyric video, but you can read the words here.
Speaking of vanity, I thought this video was extremely advanced for 1972 technology, so I looked into it further and found out this was a remix video of the original song made in 2010! Carly still looks terrific!
8. “Liar” by Henry Rollins
This song from the late 1990s absolutely nails the evil mindset of the psychopathic malignant narcissist. This video is incredibly well done and powerful, so I didn’t include a lyric video. You probably won’t need one because Rollins’ enunciation is clear as a bell. The singer/actor/activist is not actually narcissistic in the slightest, but he plays the part here incredibly well
9. “Me Myself and I” by de la soul.
A narcissistic r&b/hip hop anthem for the self absorbed. Hip hop in particular seems to be an especially narcissistic music genre. Some of the N attitude in hip hop may not be genuine but a type of posing for effect, but one still wonders.
10. “Set Fire to the Rain” by Adele
Another beautiful song about an abusive relationship with a dishonest, narcissistic man.
Part Two (songs #11 – 20) can be seen in this post: https://otterlover58.wordpress.com/2014/12/12/20-songs-about-narcissists-part-two-of-two/
Also see: 12 More Songs about Narcissism.
Here’s another ten songs about narcissism I just added to this series: https://luckyottershaven.com/2015/04/22/10-more-songs-about-narcissists/
Can people with autism, regardless of gender, fall for the deviant nature of narcissism?
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I’m not sure really. I think narcissists have a lot of charm and are very attractive to both sexes–at first. They can play the part of an attentive lover well until they catch their “prey” and then they change into the evil, abusive users they really are. As far as Aspies are concerned, I don’t know if they’re more likely to fall for narcissists than other people, but many Aspies seem to have had narcissistic parents, so they could be attracted to them more than others too, idk. I think vulnerable and empathic people in general are in danger of getting into a relationship with a narcissist, because that’s the type of person the narcissist is looking for–to eventually use and abuse.
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As for myself? Just about every man I’ve been in a serious relationship with (including my ex-husband) has been a malignant narcissist. That’s why I don’t ever want another relationship, even though I know there’s plenty of good men out there. I don’t trust people enough anymore.
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My personal favorite song about narcissistic “love.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41YWqUw5CJM
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I have never heard this song but it’s great. It also is from the POV of the narcissist herself, which is unusual. So do you mind if I use it in the next list of 10?
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Well of course you may! It was used in the movie Cruel Intentions (the teen version of Dangerous Liaisons).
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I remember that movie! It was pretty good–one of Reese Witherspoon’s first roles before she became a megastar.
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Death Cab For Cutie’s new song, “Black Sun” is about Divorcing a Narcissist.
“How could something so far
Be so cruel
When this black sun revolved
Around You”
Lyrics: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/deathcabforcutie/blacksun.html
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Hey, I may actually do another list of songs today and if I do, I’ll use that one!
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Everybody’s Fool by Evenesence is definently a Narcissist song.
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Reblogged this on Dawn V. Cahill and commented:
More on Narcissism – top 10 songs about loving, hating, or leaving a narcissist
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OmG, I love these posts. I’ve been going through a really difficult phase in my life, and this is the only kind of music that resonates with me right now. I think your lists are awesome, especially because you include all musical genres. Awesome!! Thank you! ❤
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Thank YOU and I’m glad you liked them. 🙂
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I was waiting for “You’re So Vain” to appear.
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It’s there, right?
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It is indeed. Great song.
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Reblogged this on honeybee31 and commented:
There are some very popular artists on these lists. Madonna, Jewel, Taylor swift, nine inch nails, the def tones, sarah megllaclin, Everclear and more. If you need a song for your narcissist, you can probably find one in this list.
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