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Living with an eating disorder is unbelievably hard. It can make food feel like your worst enemy, but if you’re someone who can cope by listening to music, I have some recommendations for you.
So without further ado, here is my list of the best songs about eating disorders!
1. Teen Idle by Marina
“Teen Idle” is probably the most popular song that Marina has ever released, and it also happens to be my favorite. It’s super catchy, with a fantastic backing track and Marina’s excellent vocals that are absolutely addictive.
The song isn’t necessarily about eating disorders but certainly doesn’t stray away from the topic. Instead, it’s a song about wanting to be the perfect image of beauty, even if it comes at the cost of your own wellbeing.
2. Me and Mia by Ted Leo / The Pharmacists
“Me and Mia” is one of the more obscure tracks on this list, but it’s one of the few songs out there that explicitly talks about having a difficult relationship with food. That’s very rare these days, especially in an age of internet and diet culture.
The song itself is actually super catchy, with a fun backing track and excellent vocals that almost make you want to get up and dance. If you need a little motivation to nourish your body, this is one of the best songs about eating disorders for the job.
3. Hunger by Florence + The Machine
If you know anything about Florence + The Machine, you know that she does not shy away from talking about all the nasty, gritty things we face in life. “Hunger” is a song about exactly what you think – starving yourself to feel more ‘beautiful.’
Not only that, but it’s a song about taking back the power and giving yourself the freedom to eat what you want because beauty does not come from being empty all of the time. It’s a powerful number that I recommend you listen to.
4. Sippy Cup by Melanie Martinez
“Sippy Cup” is another one of those songs that are not only about eating disorders but does touch on the subject quite a bit. Melanie Martinez is known for her incredible conceptual songs and fantastic lyricism, and those talents are proven in this track.
“Sippy Cup” is a story about living in an oppressive environment where you feel like you can’t do anything without feeling guilty and like you’ll never escape that guilt. It’s an incredible song that I cannot recommend enough.
5. Skin & Bones by Marianas Trench
Here we have another fairly obscure song from a band that not many people remember, but back in their day, they were quite popular. “Skin & Bones” is the story of a man struggling to come to terms with his life, but it can also be seen as him struggling to accept his body.
It’s got a hard rock sound that borders on metal but is still extremely emotionally charged. If you’re a fan of alternative music, definitely give this track a listen.
6. Paper Bag by Fiona Apple
Fiona Apple has been in the music industry for years and continues to produce some of the most profound and poignant music the world has ever seen. “Paper Bag” is no exception and has a message for everyone in it.
It’s a song about coming to terms with the fact that you will never be able to conform to the impossible beauty standards that society places on us but still feeling like you have to try.
7. Skinny Skinny by Ashton Irwin
“Skinny Skinny” does not shy away from the topic of eating disorders and is Ashton Irwin’s eff-you response to diet culture and the world of fitness influencers. It’s a great song that anyone struggling with an eating disorder should consider listening to.
The vocals are incredibly powerful, and with its simple melody, great backing track, and excellent harmonies, this song will probably be stuck in your head for days. For better or for worse, that’s for you to decide.
8. Prom Queen by Beach Bunny
“Prom Queen” wastes no time getting into the nitty-gritty of what the song is all about, with its opening line, ‘Shut up, count your calories. It’s clear from the start that this is a song about eating disorders, and that is what I love about it most.
In it, Beach Bunny details the experience of feeling like you have to be thin to be beautiful and the suffering that many people put their bodies through to achieve this standard. If you’ve never heard it before, I strongly recommend you give it a listen – it’s well worth it.
9. Courage by Superchick
“Courage” is a bit of a throwback when compared to the other songs on this list, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less of a profound commentary on eating disorders. Don’t let its almost-upbeat tune fool you – this is an incredibly emotional song.
Superchick talks about feeling like you can’t present yourself to the world if you don’t look a certain way and the lengths we go to look that way. It’s one of the best songs about eating disorders out there and is worth listening to.
10. I Go Hungry by Mother Mother
If you know Mother Mother, you probably know that they are not afraid to talk about all of the horrible things that we endure in this list, and “I Go Hungry” is no different. It’s not their most popular number, but it is incredible nonetheless.
Mother Mother has a signature alternative rock sound that many people gravitate toward, and I can see why. The music perfectly underscores the message that the band is trying to send, which makes this one of my favorite songs about eating disorders.
Alexandra loves playing the piano and guitar. She has always been a music lover, but it wasn’t until she was in high school that she realized how much she loved to play. It allowed her to express herself without having to be verbally expressive, which is something she found very empowering.