A young woman listening to music on her headphones

Voices of Strength: Emotional Abuse Stories in Song

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Last updated on October 6th, 2024

Emotional abuse is a complex and devastating form of trauma that leaves invisible scars on its victims. The pain and anguish experienced by those subjected to emotional abuse can be difficult to put into words. However, music has a unique ability to capture and express the depths of human emotion. In this blog post, we delve into the powerful world of songs that address emotional abuse, offering solace, validation, and hope to survivors.

Songs About Emotional Abuse

“Jar of Hearts” by Christina Perri

This haunting ballad explores the aftermath of a toxic relationship, where emotional abuse has left the protagonist shattered but determined to reclaim their strength.

I know I can’t take one more step towards you
Cause all that’s waiting is regret
Don’t you know I’m not your ghost anymore
You lost the love I loved the most

I learned to live half alive
Now you want me one more time

Who do you think you are?
Runnin’ ’round leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts
Tearing love apart

You’re gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
So don’t come back for me
Who do you think you are?

I hear you’re asking all around
If I am anywhere to be found
But I have grown too strong
To ever fall back in your arms

I’ve learned to live half alive
Now you want me one more time

Who do you think you are?
Runnin’ ’round leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts
Tearing love apart

You’re gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
So don’t come back for me
Who do you think you are?

It took so long just to feel alright
Remember how to put back the light in my eyes
I wish I had missed the first time that we kissed
‘Cause you broke all your promises
And now you’re back
You don’t get to get me back

Who do you think you are?
Runnin’ ’round leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts
Tearing love apart

You’re gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
So don’t come back for me
Don’t come back at all

Who do you think you are?
Runnin’ ’round leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts
Tearing love apart

You’re gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
Don’t come back for me
Don’t come back at all

Who do you think you are?
Who do you think you are?
Who do you think you are?

Christina Perri
A flood of hearts and roses

“Concrete Angel” by Martina McBride

This poignant country song tells the story of a young girl enduring both physical and emotional abuse. It serves as a reminder of the resilience and strength that can emerge from such adversity.

She walks to school with the lunch
She packed
Nobody knows what she’s
Holdin’ back
Wearin’ the same dress
She wore yesterday
She hides the bruises with linen
And lace

The teacher wonders but she
Doesn’t ask
It’s hard to see the pain
Behind the mask
Bearing the burden
Of a secret storm
Sometimes she wishes she was
Never born

Through the wind and the rain
She stands hard as a stone
In her world that she can rise above
But her dreams give her wings
And she flies to a place where
She’s loved
Concrete angel

Somebody cries in the middle
Of the night
The neighbors hear, but they turn
Out the lights
A fragile soul caught in the hands
Of fate
When morning comes
It’ll be too late

Through the wind and the rain
She stands hard as a stone
In her world that she can rise above
But her dreams give her wings
And she flies to a place where
She’s loved
Concrete angel

A statue stands in a shaded place
An angel girl with an upturned face
A name is written on a polished rock
A broken heart that the world forgot

Through the wind and the rain
She stands hard as a stone
In her world that she can rise above
But her dreams give her wings
And she flies to a place where
She’s loved
Concrete angel

Martina Mcbride
Headphones with the wires in the shape of a heart

“Praying” by Kesha

In this emotionally charged anthem, Kesha reflects on her journey through abuse, sharing her triumph over adversity.

Well, you almost had me fooled
Told me that I was nothing without you
Oh, but after everything you’ve done
I can thank you for how strong I have become

‘Cause you brought the flames and you put me through hell
I had to learn how to fight for myself
And we both know all the truth I could tell
I’ll just say this is “I wish you farewell”

I hope you’re somewhere prayin’, prayin
I hope your soul is changin’, changin’
I hope you find your peace
Falling on your knees, prayin’

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 now 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

You brought the flames and you put me through hell
I had to learn how to fight for myself
And we both know all the truth I could tell
I’ll just say this is “I wish you farewell”

I hope you’re somewhere prayin’, prayin
I hope your soul is changin’, changin’
I hope you find your peace
Falling on your knees, prayin’

Ah sometimes, I pray for you at night, oh
Someday, maybe you’ll see the light
Whoa oh, some say, in life, you’re gonna get what you give
But some things only God can forgive

Yeah! (I hope you’re somewhere prayin’, prayin’)
I hope your soul is changin’, changin’
I hope you find your peace
Falling on your knees, prayin’

Kesha
Young man listening to music

“You Oughta Know” by Alanis Morissette

Known for its raw and unfiltered lyrics, this iconic song by Alanis Morissette captures the anger and frustration of a survivor who refuses to be silenced.

I want you to know, that I am happy for you
I wish nothing but the best for you both
An older version of me
Is she perverted like me?
Would she go down on you in a theater?
Does she speak eloquently
And would she have your baby?
I’m sure she’d make a really excellent mother

‘Cause the love that you gave that we made
Wasn’t able to make it enough for you
To be open wide, no
And every time you speak her name
Does she know how you told me
You’d hold me until you died
‘Til you died, but you’re still alive

And I’m here, to remind you
Of the mess you left when you went away
It’s not fair, to deny me
Of the cross I bear that you gave to me
You, you, you oughta know

You seem very well, things look peaceful
I’m not quite as well, I thought you should know
Did you forget about me, Mr. Duplicity?
I hate to bug you in the middle of dinner
It was a slap in the face
How quickly I was replaced
And are you thinking of me when you fuck her?

‘Cause the love that you gave that we made
Wasn’t able to make it enough for you
To be open wide, no
And every time you speak her name
Does she know how you told me
You’d hold me until you died
‘Til you died, but you’re still alive

And I’m here, to remind you
Of the mess you left when you went away
It’s not fair, to deny me
Of the cross I bear that you gave to me
You, you, you oughta know

Cause the joke that you laid in the bed
That was me and I’m not gonna fade
As soon as you close your eyes, and you know it
And every time I scratch my nails
Down someone else’s back I hope you feel it
Well, can you feel it?

Well I’m here, to remind you
Of the mess you left when you went away
It’s not fair, to deny me
Of the cross I bear that you gave to me
You, you, you oughta know

Well I’m here, to remind you
Of the mess you left when you went away
It’s not fair, to deny me
Of the cross I bear that you gave to me
You, you, you oughta know

Alanis Morissette
A guitar and sheet music

“Unpretty” by TLC

With its empowering message of self-acceptance and inner strength, this R&B classic addresses the negative impact of emotional abuse on self-esteem and encourages individuals to embrace their true selves.

I wish I could tie you up in my shoes
Make you feel unpretty too
I was told I was beautiful
But what does that mean to you?
Look into the mirror who’s inside there
The one with the long hair
Same old me again today, yeah

My outsides look cool
My insides are blue
Every time I think I’m through
It’s because of you
I’ve tried different ways
But it’s all the same
At the end of the day
I have myself to blame
I’m just trippin’

You can buy your hair if it won’t grow
You can fix your nose if he says so
You can buy all the make-up that MAC can make
But if you can’t look inside you
Find out who am I to
Be in the position to make me feel so
Damn unpretty
Yeah, I’ll make you feel unpretty too

Never insecure until I met you
Now I’m bein’ stupid
I used to be so cute to me
Just a little bit skinny
Why do I look to all these things
To keep you happy?
Maybe get rid of you and then I’ll get back to me (hey)

My outsides look cool
My insides are blue
Every time I think I’m through
It’s because of you
I’ve tried different ways
But it’s all the same
At the end of the day
I have myself to blame
Can’t believe I’m trippin’, yeah

You can buy your hair if it won’t grow
You can fix your nose if he says so
You can buy all the make-up that MAC can make
But if you can’t look inside you
Find out who am I to
Be in the position to make me feel so
Damn unpretty

You can buy your hair if it won’t grow
You can fix your nose if he says so
You can buy all the make-up that MAC can make
But if you can’t look inside you
Find out who am I to
Be in the position to make me feel so
Damn unpretty
I’ll make you feel unpretty too

I’ll make you feel unpretty

Oh-whoa, oh-oh-whoa
Oh-whoa, oh-oh-whoa-oh
Oh-whoa, oh-oh-whoa
Oh-whoa, oh-oh-whoa-oh

You can buy your hair if it won’t grow
You can fix your nose if he says so
You can buy all the make-up that MAC can make
But if you can’t look inside you
Find out who am I to
Be in the position to make me feel so
Damn unpretty

You can buy your hair if it won’t grow
You can buy all the make-up that MAC can make
But if you can’t look inside you
Be in the position to make me feel so
You can buy your hair if it won’t grow

TLC
Sheet music covered in petals

“Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” by Kelly Clarkson

This empowering pop anthem resonates with survivors, reminding them that they have the power to rise above their past and emerge stronger than ever before.

You know the bed feels warmer
Sleeping here alone (sleeping here alone)
You know I dream in color
And do the things I want (I do the things I want)

You think you got the best of me
Think you’ve had the last laugh
Bet you think that everything good is gone
Think you left me broken down
Think that I’ll come running back
Baby, you don’t know me, ’cause you’re dead wrong

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn’t mean I’m lonely when I’m alone
What doesn’t kill you makes a fighter
Footsteps even lighter
Doesn’t mean I’m over ’cause you’re gone

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, stronger
Just me, myself and I
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn’t mean I’m lonely when I’m alone

You heard that I was starting over with someone new
They told you I was moving on over you

You didn’t think that I’d come back
I’d come back swinging
You tried to break me but you see

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn’t mean I’m lonely when I’m alone
What doesn’t kill you makes a fighter
Footsteps even lighter
Doesn’t mean I’m over ’cause you’re gone

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, stronger
Just me, myself and I
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn’t mean I’m lonely when I’m alone

Thanks to you I got a new thing started
Thanks to you I’m not the broken hearted
Thanks to you I’m finally thinkin’ ’bout me
You know in the end the day you left was just my beginning
In the end

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger (stronger)
Stand a little taller
Doesn’t mean I’m lonely when I’m alone
What doesn’t kill you makes a fighter
Footsteps even lighter
Doesn’t mean I’m over ’cause you’re gone

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, stronger
Just me, myself and I
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn’t mean I’m lonely when I’m alone (what doesn’t kill you)

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, stronger
Just me, myself and I (what doesn’t kill you)
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger (stronger)
Stand a little taller (taller)
Doesn’t mean I’m lonely when I’m alone (what doesn’t kill you)

When I’m alone

Kelly Clarkson
A man listening to music

“Love the Way You Lie” by Eminem ft. Rihanna

Eminem’s introspective rap combined with Rihanna’s haunting vocals creates a powerful depiction of a toxic relationship plagued by emotional abuse.

Just gonna stand there and watch me burn?
Well, that’s alright, because I like the way it hurts
Just gonna stand there and hear me cry?
Well, that’s alright, because I love the way you lie
I love the way you lie

I can’t tell you what it really is
I can only tell you what it feels like
And right now, there’s a steel knife in my windpipe
I can’t breathe, but I still fight while I can fight
As long as the wrong feels right, it’s like I’m in flight
High off of love, drunk from her hate
It’s like I’m huffing paint and I love her, the more I suffer
I suffocate and right before I’m about to drown
She resuscitates me, she fucking hates me
And I love it, “Wait
Where you going?” “I’m leaving you”
“No you ain’t, come back”
We’re running right back, here we go again
It’s so insane ’cause when it’s going good, it’s going great
I’m Superman, with the wind at his back, she’s Lois Lane
But when it’s bad, it’s awful
I feel so ashamed, I snapped, “Who’s that dude?”
I don’t even know his name, I laid hands on her
I’ll never stoop so low again, I guess I don’t know my own strength

Just gonna stand there and watch me burn?
Well, that’s alright, because I like the way it hurts
Just gonna stand there and hear me cry?
Well, that’s alright, because I love the way you lie
I love the way you lie
I love the way you lie

You ever love somebody so much you can barely breathe when you’re with ’em?
You meet, and neither one of you, even know what hit ’em
Got that warm fuzzy feeling, yeah, them chills, used to get ’em
Now you’re getting fucking sick of looking at ’em
You swore you’ve never hit ’em, never do nothing to hurt ’em
Now you’re in each other’s face
Spewing venom in your words when you spit ’em
You push, pull each other’s hair, scratch, claw, bit ’em
Throw ’em down, pin ’em, so lost in the moments when you’re in ’em
It’s the rage that took over, it controls you both
So they say you’re best to go your separate ways
Guess that they don’t know ya ’cause today, that was yesterday
Yesterday is over, it’s a different day
Sound like broken records playin’ over
But you promised her, next time you’ll show restraint
You don’t get another chance, life is no Nintendo game
But you lied again
Now you get to watch her leave out the window
Guess that’s why they call it window pane

Just gonna stand there and watch me burn?
Well, that’s alright, because I like the way it hurts
Just gonna stand there and hear me cry?
Well, that’s alright, because I love the way you lie
I love the way you lie
I love the way you lie

Now I know we said things, did things that we didn’t mean
Then we fall back into the same patterns
Same routine, but your temper’s just as bad as mine is
You’re the same as me, when it comes to love, you’re just as blinded
Baby, please come back, it wasn’t you
Baby, it was me, maybe our relationship isn’t as crazy as it seems
Maybe that’s what happens when a tornado meets a volcano
All I know is I love you too much to walk away though
Come inside, pick up your bags off the sidewalk
Don’t you hear sincerity in my voice when I talk?
Told you this is my fault, look me in the eyeball
Next time I’m pissed, I’ll aim my fist at the drywall
Next time? There won’t be no next time
I apologize, even though I know it’s lies
I’m tired of the games, I just want her back, I know I’m a liar
If she ever tries to fucking leave again
I’m a tie her to the bed and set this house on fire

Just gonna stand there and watch me burn?
Well, that’s alright, because I like the way it hurts
Just gonna stand there and hear me cry?
Well, that’s alright, because I love the way you lie
I love the way you lie
I love the way you lie

Eminem ft. Rihanna
A young woman listening to music

“Fighter” by Christina Aguilera

With its bold lyrics and soaring vocals, “Fighter” encapsulates the journey of reclaiming personal power after enduring emotional abuse.

When I, thought I knew you
Thinking, that you were true
I guess I, I couldn’t trust
‘Cause your bluff time is up
‘Cause I’ve had enough
You were, there by my side
Always, down for the ride
But your, joy ride just came down in flames
Cause your greed sold me out of shame, mmhmm

After all of the stealing and cheating
You probably think that I hold resentment for you
But, uh uh, oh no, you’re wrong
‘Cause if it wasn’t for all that you tried to do
I wouldn’t know just how capable I am to pull through
So I wanna say thank you

‘Cause it makes me that much stronger
Makes me work a little bit harder
It makes me that much wiser
So thanks for making me a fighter
Made me learn a little bit faster
Made my skin a little bit thicker
Makes me that much smarter
So thanks for making me a fighter

Never, saw it coming
All of, your backstabbing
Just so, you could cash in
On a good thing before I realized your game
I heard, you’re going around
Playing, the victim now
But don’t, even begin
Feeling I’m the one to blame
‘Cause you dug your own grave, uh huh

After all of the fights and the lies
Yes you wanted to harm me but that won’t work anymore
Uh, no more, oh no, it’s over
‘Cause if it wasn’t for all of your torture
I wouldn’t know how to be this way now, and never back down
So I wanna say thank you

‘Cause it makes me that much stronger
Makes me work a little bit harder
Makes me that much wiser
So thanks for making me a fighter
Made me learn a little bit faster
Made my skin a little bit thicker
It makes me that much smarter
So thanks for making me a fighter

Christina Aguilera
A young woman wearing pink headphones

“Scars to Your Beautiful” by Alessia Cara

This uplifting anthem celebrates the beauty and strength found in embracing one’s imperfections, offering solace to those who have been emotionally scarred.

She just wants to be, beautiful
She goes, unnoticed she knows, no limits
She craves, attention she praises, an image
She prays to be, sculpted by the sculptor

Oh, she don’t see, the light that’s shining
Deeper than the eyes can find it
Maybe we have made her blind
So she tries to cover up her pain
And cut her woes away
‘Cause covergirls don’t cry
After their face is made

But 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

Oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh

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

She has dreams to be an envy, so she’s starving
You know, covergirls eat nothing
She says, beauty is pain and there’s beauty in everything
What’s a little bit of hunger?
I could go a little while longer, she fades away

She don’t see her perfect
She don’t understand she’s worth it
Or that beauty goes deeper than the surface
Oh-oh, oh-oh
So to all the girls that’s hurting
Let me be your mirror
Help you see a little bit clearer
The light that shines within

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

Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh

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

No better you than the you that you are
(No better you than the you that you are)
No better life than the life we’re living
(No better life than the life we’re living)
No better time for your shine, you’re a star
(No better time for your shine, you’re a star)
Oh, you’re beautiful, oh, you’re beautiful

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

Oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh

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

Alessia Cara
A young woman lying on a bed and listening to music

Concluding Reflections

These songs provide a glimpse into the emotions and experiences of those affected by emotional abuse. They offer a sense of validation and understanding, reminding survivors that they are not alone in their struggles.

It is important to remember that while music can be incredibly therapeutic, it is not a substitute for professional help. If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional abuse, reach out to a trusted friend, family member, or seek support from a mental health professional.

Remember, healing is a journey, and by sharing our stories and listening to these powerful songs, we can create a soundtrack of survival and inspire others to find their strength and break free from the chains of emotional abuse.

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