Anorexia, bulimia, and body image.
Let’s face it.
Many people battle these conditions every day.
And sometimes, not even close friends and family members recognize it.
The biggest worry about eating disorders is that the victims always hide them.
And sometimes, nobody knows the risk until significant damage occurs.
Over the years, many artists have released songs about their battles with eating disorders and body image.
Sometimes, they dedicate these songs to their friends, band members, and loved ones to draw everyone’s attention to such conditions.
Below are the 30 best songs about eating disorders, anorexia, bulimia, and body image to help with your journey to recovery.
1. “Courage” by Superchick
It’s only right to start with a classic song about eating disorders.
In 2005, Superchick wrote a song about Melissa Brock’s battle with anorexia.
The lyrics hold a powerful meaning to everyone struggling with an eating disorder.
And it’s no surprise it resonated with most listeners.
By writing this song, the Christian rock group brought the world’s attention to anorexia and the courage it takes to fight and win the battle.
2. “Skin & Bones” by Marianas Trench
“Skin And Bones” is a song about bulimia.
The singer wishes to lose weight until he remains “skin and bones” but is also worried about his deteriorating condition.
This song is a powerful reminder of the consequences of eating disorders and why they deserve more attention.
3. “Invisible” by Skylar Grey
Skylar Grey explores the concept of depression in her 2011 debut single.
This was after her debut studio album underperformed, leaving her in solitude as she pondered her next move.
At that point, she felt invisible to the world.
The lyrics resonate with everyone battling eating disorders and a negative body image.
4. “Breathe Me” by Sia
Sia’s “Breathe Me” is a passionate plea for help.
It explores depression, self-esteem issues, and the feeling that one’s not good enough.
The feeling of worthlessness only grows as the singer passionately narrates her troubles.
She’s hurt herself on many occasions and craves a hug, a shoulder to lean on, and someone to make her feel worthy again.
This song will give you the strength to fight your battles when overwhelmed by negative self-dialogues.
5. “Scars To Your Beautiful” by Alessia Cara
Alessia Cara’s “Scars To Your Beautiful” is one of the most popular songs about body image.
The 3-minute song is about women always trying to go with the flow.
The narrator tells the ladies they are uniquely beautiful and don’t have to fit in to feel loved.
She also mentions her struggles with hair loss in her teenage years, a persistent theme for anyone battling body image.
6. “Ana’s Song (Open Fire)” by Silverchair
“Ana’s Song” was the 2nd single from Silverchair’s 3rd album, Neon Ballroom.
It is a song about the lead vocalist Daniel John battling anorexia.
“Ana’s Song” became a worldwide hit because it touched on a relatable subject.
And even more so because it showed that male artists were also battling eating disorders.
The song peaked at #28 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks and #12 on Australia’s ARIA Singles Chart.
7. “A Blood Red Bracelet” by Corinna Fugate
“A Blood Red Bracelet” is a hauntingly beautiful song about anorexia.
It was an anorexic anthem that described how these individuals identify themselves with secret, red blood bracelets.
8. “We Need To Eat” by Kent
Kent’s “We Need To Eat” highlights the implications of an eating disorder.
The lyrics describe this one person battling an eating disorder and her worsening condition.
She’s growing pale and must eat to survive.
But at the same time, she wants to get better by starving herself.
9. “Skinny” by Filter
Filter’s song is about the anorexics trapped in their secret, little world.
The hard-hitting lyrics speak directly to the heart and will make you a little emotional if you battle an eating disorder.
It talks about the lies anorexics keep telling themselves to feel good.
But in reality, they only worsen their condition.
10. “Anorexic Beauty” by Pulp
“Anorexic Beauty” explores both sides of the eating disorder.
Most importantly, it acknowledges that anorexia isn’t cool and has serious implications.
11. “Just A Little Bit” by Maria Mena
“Just a little bit stronger/Just a little bit wiser/Just a little less needy/And maybe I’d get there.”
Maria Mena emotionally describes her struggle with eating disorders.
The lyrics resonate with everyone battling eating disorders, assuring them they aren’t alone in this battle.
12. “Someone I Once Knew” by Dead Celebrity Status
“Someone I Once Knew” describes someone battling an eating disorder so hard that she’s completely detached from reality.
She’s obsessed with her weight and claims she’s healthy even though her body image paints a different picture.
The lyrics describe anorexia and its potentially fatal consequences.
13. “Never Good Enough” by Rachel Ferguson
The girl in Rachel Ferguson’s song is battling an eating disorder.
She’s consumed by her negative body image and thinks starving herself will make her perfect.
The narrator portrays the girl as “an overachiever with low self-esteem and wants to walk like a star but takes it too far.”
14. “Dressed In Decay” by CKY
“Dressed In Decay” is a song about eating disorders.
The woman in the song restricts herself from eating because of her negative body image.
She craves perfection and starves herself to achieve it.
Unfortunately, she dies.
CKY’s song was meant to draw attention to eating disorders and their devastating effects.
15. “Beauty From Pain” by Superchick
Superchick’s 2005 hit single is an optimistic song to motivate anyone battling life’s obstacles.
It is not an outright song about eating disorders, but the message suits anyone battling such conditions.
16. “Paper Bag” by Fiona Apple
“Paper Bag” is a song about Fiona’s mental health issues.
She released it in 2000 as the 3rd single from her When They Dawn studio album.
The song resonated with many girls and women consumed by a negative body image and constant struggles with eating disorders.
17. “Please Eat” by Nicole Dollaganger
“Please Eat” gives us a glimpse of what life’s like with a partner battling an eating disorder.
The narrator sympathizes with the victims through her heartbreaking and inspiring lyrics.
If you are positive about your eating disorder or know someone battling the condition, this is the song to listen to.
18. “Starving For Attention” by Geri Karlstrom
“Bones are beautiful/My drug of choice/Striving for perfection.”
This is the quintessential song about eating disorders that everybody should listen to.
The young girl in the song starves herself for her parent’s attention.
The song portrays the effects of eating disorders.
19 “Self-Fulfilling Prophecy” by Maria Mena
You’re destined to live a miserable life when consumed by negative thoughts about the world.
That’s Maria Mena’s message in “Self-Fulfilling Prophecy.”
The singer also discusses her battle with anorexia and associates it with her parent’s divorce.
20. “I Go Hungry” by Mother Mother
Many people battling eating disorders will always live in denial.
And that’s the same for the man in Mother Mother’s 2014 alternative song, who needs help but won’t admit it.
When battling self-doubt and eating disorders, you spend much time thinking about it.
And before you know it, you will have sunk into depression.
21. “Fix Me” by Marianas Trench
Marianas Trench’s song describes the self-destructive behavior commonly exhibited by teenagers.
The song covers a dark moment in the narrator’s life, and he can’t stop wondering how he got into this mess.
It sums up the lead singer, Josh Ramsay’s teenage life, battling anorexia, bulimia, depression, drug addiction, and other self-destructive behaviors.
22. “Ana & Mia” by The Trews
The Trews’ song describes a woman’s daily battles with anorexia and bulimia.
The song’s title originates from the common nicknames for the two conditions.
The cautionary song also warns about the consequences of eating disorders.
23. “Buried Myself Alive” by The Used
There aren’t more terrible experiences than a relationship with an abusive lover.
And The Used lead singer, Bert McCracken, shares the same sentiments when he finds himself at the mercy of a manipulative lover.
He’s losing his self-esteem and slowly falling into depression.
Ultimately, he finds solace in drugs.
He can’t hide his joy when he finally escapes the shackles of his abusive partner.
Some claim the song is about the singer’s battle with drug addiction.
Either way, it is a beautiful tune to show you how a negative self-image and mental issues can ruin your life.
24. “Eyesore” by Maria Mena
Maria Mena’s “Eyesore” is a popular song about body image and eating disorders.
For a long time, the singer considered herself an ‘eyesore,’ referring to his presumed ugliness that turned everybody away.
The song also covers anorexia, starvation, weight loss, and other issues individuals battle daily.
25. “Tunic (Song for Karen)” by Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth wrote this song for Karen Carpenter after battling and succumbing to anorexia.
The tragic song describes Karen’s terrible experiences and many women’s silent battles with such conditions.
26. “In Front of The Mirror” by GLAM
“In Front Of The Mirror” brings out the paradox of anorexia.
The lyrics highlight the contrast between how these individuals feel about themselves and reality when looking in the mirror.
27. “Bleed Like Me” by Garbage
“Bleed Like Me” speaks about those individuals who crave sympathy and compassion for their suffering.
That includes self-inflicted injuries, alcohol abuse, and anorexia.
Garbage’s song is a passionate plea for empathy in a world where everyone is battling their demons.
Perhaps the world would be better if we showed more compassion to everyone battling an eating disorder.
28. “Waltz Moore” by From First to Last
Sonny Moore can’t see anything to be proud of about his life.
And that’s because he struggles with bulimia.
The line, “do you know what it’s like to feel ugly all the time?” sums up his struggles with body image.
29. “Ugly” by 2NE1
In “Ugly,” the celebrated K-Pop girl group questions the meaning of beauty today.
The song addresses the societal pressure and insecurities many girls face to look perfect.
It has since become an anthem for individuals battling eating disorders.
30. “I Hate The Way” by Polly Scattergood
The dark theme in Polly Scattergood’s song suits anyone battling an eating disorder.
She sings about the “doctor’s advice, bodies giving up, and hating how her stomach aches,” referencing her battle with such conditions.
The outro confirms that she’s skipping dinner to make herself thinner and prettier, like someone struggling with anorexia.
Songs About Eating Disorders – Final Thoughts
Eating disorders are the silent tragedies nobody dares talk about.
They eat you away slowly.
And sometimes, the victim never realizes the consequences until significant damage occurs.
Hopefully, our list of the 30 best songs about eating disorders will create awareness and help initiate the much-needed conversation around these conditions.
This list will also help you create the perfect playlist of popular songs about eating disorders, anorexia, bulimia, and body image.
There’s power in opening up.
So, don’t suffer in silence when battling these conditions.
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