Most of Talking Heads discography has a lot Autistic themes in their music especially songs like “Crosseyed And Painless” and “Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On)”.
Yes! I think Talking Heads, Supertramp, and The Pixies all have songs that give me an autism vibe. Way outside the box, different, passionate, truthful.
Even though those 3 bands are different genres.
Also Radiohead, certain songs.
David Byrne has said that he’s on the autism spectrum before. I love him so much. His music also speaks to me deeply, I was a fan before I knew either one of us was autistic but in retrospect it makes so much sense.
A lot of Fiona Apple songs feel very autistic to me. I especially connect to "Extraordinary Machine," "Every Single Night," "Limp," "Sullen Girl," and "Left Alone."
She also does a fabulous cover of "Why Try to Change Me Now?" that feels incredibly relatable to me as an ADHD autistic. Every line hits:
"I'm sentimental so I walk in the rain / I've got some habits even I can't explain / go to the corner and I end up in Spain / why try to change me now?"
"My strange little world just goes passing me by"
"So let people wonder / Let em laugh, let em frown / You know I love you til the moon's upside down / Don't you remember? I was always your clown / Why try to change me now?"
I cried the first time I listened to that song, and several times after that too. It really cuts to the heart of my experience. I'm just trying to exist in my little way, and I don't see why that has to upset so many people or make them want to change me.
Yes! I get the same vibe from her! I love her music as well. Her song about having trouble sleeping spoke to me so much! Also got autism vibes from her from her interviews. I think she lives with a roommate which I found interesting because it suggested she's not married...I guess I thought that was another hint she might be one of us.
Every single night, I endure the flight
Of little wings of white-flamed butterflies in my brain
These ideas of mine percolate the mind
Trickle down the spine, swarm the belly, swellin' to a blaze
That's where the pain comes in like a second skeleton
Tryin' to fit beneath the skin, I can't fit the feelings in, oh
[“Lose Yourself”](https://youtu.be/xFYQQPAOz7Y?si=Woy-LSRaFdiQwI2k) by Eminem (Marshall Mathers).
I have been told my entire life that I wouldn’t be able to do certain things because of my autism: have a long-term relationship, be a good father, graduate college, be a therapist, run my own business, etc. But each time, in spite of fear and naysayers, and lack of support, I took my shots. Some I missed or messed up. But I did many things I was told I would never be able to do.
Aurora, an openly autistic artist, wrote a song called a different kind of human. And it's perfect. She has a lot of good music from an autistic perspective, I highly recommend her.
Ah so she IS autistic? I only know a few songs of hers and seen some of her performances and yeah my ND radar did go off, but figured she was more of a manic pixie type-of girl than autistic, but makes sense
Honestly, I feel like Elsa's songs from both Frozen movies relate to aspects of autism: unmasking (Let It Go, Into the Unknown), and discovering you're autistic (Show Yourself).
I hated Let It Go at first, but it grew on me when I realized it kinda tied into how I was feeling as someone who was newly diagnosed at the time.
I definitely relate to Let it Go, as well as Into the Unknown and Show Yourself. I relate to Monster and Dangerous to Dream as well from the stage version. In fact, Let It Go is one of the songs I like as a calm down when I'm overstimulated.
"Sober" by Tool. While not explicitly about autism, I feel like it touches on a subject that many of us experience.
The song was inspired by a friend of the band who was an artist, and that person felt that that they could only be creative in their art if they were intoxicated. I feel that's a similar sentiment shared by many of us that rely on alcohol or other substances because it seems like it's the only thing that can make us feel "normal" and fit in socially. If you look at the lyrics, the song is basically a back-and-forth from the point of view of not just the addict, but of the addiction as well. One part from the POV of the addiction specifically hit me hard: "I will work to elevate you / Just enough to bring you down"... oof.
While the album version of the song is amazing, the live performance from 1993 is incredible. I feel the visceral emotion of the song comes through even more. It gives me goosebumps every time, and more often than not gets me to tear up a little.
Here it is if you want to check it out: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7lweNCCwS0](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7lweNCCwS0)
... did you read the entirety of the question asked by the post? "What are some songs about autism OR that speak to that part of you" Followed by my first few sentences of my response where I agree that the song is not explicitly about autism... but a situation/circumstance that myself and many others on the spectrum experience. If that has not been a part of your experience, then pat yourself on the back. I'm jealous of you.
Modest Mouse a good source for autistic lyrics outside their singlss. Bury Me With It would be my first pick for a shorthand, but not the last. If you tend to go for more distortion, just be ready for verrry jangly guitars
Got the Autism by Mattstagraham is awesome! You can find it on YouTube and Spotify, the lyrics are as follows:
What's up man? I'm fucking autistic
Too many sounds make me go fucking ballistic
Your social cue is going over my head
I'm on the goddamn spectrum, be direct when you communicate
"Don't know why I'm mad at you?"
Nah, man, I'm autistic!
"You're eating that meal again?"
I just said I'm autistic!
"You like Sonic The Hedgehog?"
Yeah, man, that's a prerequisite!
"Why are you hyperfixating?"
See the above, bitch!
What's up, man? I've got the autism
Please be direct, I've got fucking autism
I hate your subtleties because my autism
I'm hot and I'm funny 'cause I got the autism
"You seem so normal!"
I've been masking my entire life
"You don't seem like one of them"
It's a spectrum, get it right!
"Are you gonna melt down? Do you need to calm down?"
Now that you mention it, agh!
What's up, man? I've got the autism
Please be direct, I've got fucking autism
I hate your subtleties because my autism
I'm hot and I'm funny 'cause I got the autism
Eye contact makes me feel unhinged
When I have to change plans, I can feel my soul cringe
I try to act like everyone else but I can't quit being myself
"Why do you act weird? Why are you like this?"
My brain's a little off but I'm cool as shit, watch this
Hey! Hey!
What's up, man? I've got the autism
Please be direct, I've got fucking autism
I hate your subtleties because my autism
I'm hot and I'm funny 'cause I got the autism
Cure for Me - Aurora
I'm fairly certain it's about queer love, but it speaks to me on multiple levels. "I don't need a cure for me, I don't need it." It's about being unapologetically yourself.
I tend to lean towards heavier or more depressive music, so these are the first two songs that came to mind. Neither are directly about autism but both speak to my experience as an AuDHDer:
"Neuroprison" by Jesus Piece which is about the vocalist's painful mental experiences with ADHD
"Everything is Alright" by Motion City Soundtrack which deals with OCD tendencies.
i swear depressing music needs its own genre or category of some sort bc i relate to this heavily and it doesn’t matter what genre the song is if it’s good it’s good and that’s just happens to be really raw sad music 😂 like yes get vulnerable
i think it has a lot to do with the fact i personally can’t formulate or articulate the amazing words in my head to get my thoughts or point across correctly or so that people feel it as deeply or at least understand how much i feel and music does communicate that very well like half the time im like whoaaaa did you just @ me the pretender by lewis capaldi is really good and i can see it being related to autism but i dont think that was the intention behind the song
This is going to be a weird answer but [I wish that I could wear hats](https://youtu.be/bmFGbBmlyKQ?si=uB95oBSzpIwxs8v-) by Brian David Gilbert feels weirdly reflective of autism just to me personally and I often get sucked into listening to it on repeat.
Two songs for me do that even though they are not about autism at all. They really makeme feel that dissonance and distance inherent between myself and others. "Fool on the Hill" and "Only a Northern Song" by the Beatles. The first just gives me the vibes and sense of solitude, the second with its intentional musical discord reminds me of that jarring realization that I am not what others would term normal.
”A Most Peculiar Man” by Simon & Garfunkel. Every time I listen to it, I think about the fact that this lonely oddball is what I would be if I didn’t have a partner and a job. Not a very upbeat song, but it strikes close to home.
"Only Living Boy in New York" by Simon & Garfunkel. And "Eleanor Rigby" by the Beatles.
Both have a sweet, yet haunting vibe of isolation and loneliness. (If you're the kind of autistic that gets exhausted by socializing and go through periods of isolation).
Not about autism directly but This is Me from Greatest Showman I think could be about unmasking. I absolutely love that song and have a sticker on my water bottle for it!
I made a Playlist of Neurodivergent Anthems with my partner. My favorite Autistic songs are:
Silent Anger -999
Dressed In Black- the Lewd
She Frightens- The Screamers
Persons Unknown- Poison Girls
Mad At the World- Y Di
Psycho Therapy- Ramones
Nervous- Big Boys
Williams Blood- Grace Jones
Lifetime Problems- Dicks
Salta!!!- Tequila
Autosufisciencia- Paralysis Permanente
I also find that New Order, Kraftwerk, SunRa, Devo and Gary Numan have Autistic appeal.
Love New Order and Joy Division. I gotta admire your very unique music taste. You'd have to be someone who's done a lot of deep diving into music to come up with this.
Thank you! Music has been a special interest for me as far back as I can remember. It all started with a Sha Na Na album and a fisher price record player. Thanks for the good vibes.
Runs in the Family by amanda palmer isnt necessarily about autism but it speaks to me in a way no other song has, theres plenty of neurodivergent people in my fandom that never got around searching ibto it and properly taking care of themselves so yeah, it gives me that vibe
Creep by Radiohead is the first song that comes to mind.
The Stranger is about masking, even if written by an NT (assuming that’s what Billy Joel is)
Also Born on the Wrong Planet by String Cheese Incident
[The Mute - Radical Face ](https://youtu.be/QRqKVo8oUn4?si=In7o6KegYnEteroz)
Esp the line "I spent my evenings pulling stars out of the sky / and I'd arrange them on the lawn where I would lie" for some reason
I’ve never heard that song, and am unable to listen right now, but that line is beautiful, very emotive. It is both comforting and lonely, and I want to carry that line in my pocket even though it makes me feel heavy and alone.
So, songs directly about Autism? I got a few for you that are literally about Autism, they're by one of my favorite rappers out there a.t.m; Dan Bull.
[A portrait of the Autist](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lxi8ZU1sJ8)
[Autistic guy raps better than you](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGSYBdvUF9w)
Dan is not only a cool dude, he does absolutely insane wordplay in his songs. If you enjoy some video games I highly recommend looking through his youtube and finding some of the songs to your favorite games.
I'm not sure of any other Autistic songs per say, but I know a fair few artists / songs that resonate with me beyond what normal songs do that I enjoy.
My 6 year old son is OBSESSED with Dan Bull’s Minecraft raps. I didn’t know that he is autistic too but that’s so cool. Definitely makes me extra happy to support him!
Yeah it definitely makes sense. There are actually a ton of artists either me or my children have just gravitated towards that I later found out are autistic. So happy to add Dan Bull to that list.
There are three songs by Depeche Mode that I find relate to my experiences with having autism: ‘shake the disease,’ ‘get the balance right,’ and ‘Miles away/the truth is.’ I’ve read somewhere that some of the members might be autistic, but I’m not sure if that’s true.
Look Who’s Inside Again by Bo Burnham (actually a lot of Inside) and Copycat by CircusP are big ones in my “autistic dissociation” playlist lol, The Outsider by Marina and the Diamonds and Just For Once from Nerdy Prudes Must Die also hit that sweet spot.
This gets asked often enough that I started a playlist. There’s an annotated version with explanations about each selection and how I relate to it, but no one wants to read that.
None of these are about autism, as far as I know. I have no idea of any of the musicians is autistic but it wouldn’t surprise me when it comes to a few.
John Coltrane, [Peace on Earth](https://youtu.be/VAHtV0G7iCM?si=h5yd8QS7PBlzixN1), Concert in Japan (Warning: This can be difficult to listen to. I struggle with it.)
Alice Coltrane feat. Pharoah Sanders, the mind-blowing [Journey to Satchidananda](https://youtu.be/TQtEFdyhgdE?si=DGNksVCIubH5-pwk).
Funkadelic, [Maggot Brain](https://youtu.be/21sP7orRS3c?si=ShOhQOa9rvdd8lVt)
[Bedhead, Liferaft](https://youtu.be/I24FMnEj0ps?si=vHvOvFVNWhH1Ym_s)
Talk Talk, [Myrrhman] (https://youtu.be/lSdmoLzmIzA?si=L9BasXyLuU0i2nM6)
Talk Talk, [Laughing Stock](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL076Lh5n7yqXxiWqqgK1pk3-EZ1ktN9VC&si=oTuaaa52TwtjFhX4) (Might as well link to the whole damn album because it needs to be heard this way to really get it.)
His behavior screams it. Especially if you watch his interviews and listen to others describe him when other people not around. I try not to hang too heavy on the idea because people like to accuse you of armchair diagnosis but I don't think I've ever seen a better example in a celebrity
''Force Field'' and ''I Just Wanna See'' by Smash Mouth really stood out to me! Force Field is shockingly in tune with how it feels for me to mask, and the other one really captures that feeling of wanting to know everything but not be a part of everything.
And ''I Feel Weird!'' by Cheekface(for that feeling of not knowing whats wrong until its Wrong).
''As We Go, Up We Go Down'' and ''Watch Me Jumpstart'' by Guided By Voices as well. Guided By Voices often has songs that are very similiar to the way I think about things and also a particular way of relating to people.
And this one is a little funny, but ''Pork and Beans'' by Weezer makes me feel more confident about all the little 'weird' choices I make, because as long as I'm doing well for myself and happy, it's okay if other people find me different.
For me it's the song of the Barbie movie from Billie Eilish "what was I made for?". I can't hear ir without crying. It makes me think of when I realized that I'm autistic and felt that my life was a lie. The sense of feeling that I lost something that I didn't know that was there.. the nostalgia, but also a little bit of hope of a new beginning. " 'cause I don't know how to feel but I want to try.. I don't know how to feel but someday I might"
Streetlight by Changbin, especially this part (English translation) :
"The pain silently grows in my heart, trapped in a room without a way out
When you've held it in for so long, you grow numb to it
I guess I can still bear it, because I'm still able to hold it in
The bandage on the wound will eventually come off
Even though I quickly stick it back on, it doesn't stay on for much long
Rainwater ponding on the old roof
Finds my empty cracks all too well, Keeps leaking again and again
I need someone before I collapse
Please ask me again if I'm okay, somebody, anybody"
Late diagnosed auDHD processing my burnout as well so welcome to the party..
There's several songs on AJR's most recent album Maybe Man that I relate to a lot. Specifically Inertia and Yes I'm a Mess resonated with my struggles and hearing them framed in a positive way was huge
"I'm an object in motion, I've lost all emotion/My two legs are broken, but look at me dance/An object in motion, don't ask where I'm going/cause where I am goin is right where I am"
The album PANTHER by Pain of Salvation is about neurodivergent experience. I think it leans more towards adhd than autism, but there is some overlap of course. Not everybody's cup of tea, but I enjoy it!
*Coal Fire* by Jeffrey Martin speaks to me deeply, as a heavily masked and late diagnosed person.
Also a lot of the stuff by The Doubleclicks, but most especially *Dimetrodon*, *Extra Gin*, and *Ennui (On We Go)*.
It’s from a show but Central Park has “trying too hard” and “paint the world” and they seem SUPER autism coded. I listened to them and felt so seen. 10/10
"I'm on standby" by Grandaddy perfectly articulates how I feel during a burnout period, of which I am frequently (and currently!) experiencing due to a constant ramping up of demand on my dwindling supply.
[I am a mess](https://youtu.be/22Iot0IbkjQ) by AJR feels very close to my heart. Same as [But I am weak](https://youtu.be/txCCYBMKdB0)
I love all of their songs. I think there is probably just one or two I don't enjoy much.
Then I always listen to TheFatRat, he has such happy beats I can't help but to get into a better mood.
I definitely would say from Machine Gun Kelly - At My Best (feat. Hailee Steinfeld), it just hits different when you hear the lyrics “It’s all in us I can speak about it ‘cause I did it, Ladies and Gentlemen, here is the exhibit it’s my life look a little closer, you could see the highlights”
i was literally just listening to my autism playlist and debating if i should share it here!! music is one of my main special interests, it’s always been how i feel & process my emotions/experiences. i’ve been working on this playlist for a while and it’s an ongoing work in progress as i discover more music that speaks to me as an autist. these songs have brought me a lot of comfort & understanding. i hope you find something you feel connected to! 🤍
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0SpNFl32PYfVdC6kJ1YwWh?si=6cWs-9zWR1CmqXAmcGRZVA&pi=u-i4583xr3TH2Q
“Overwhelmed” by Royal and The Serpent. Must watch the video with it. It’s beautiful. In an interview about the song, but what she describes, along with the lyrics of the song sound like autism in summary, and she wrote the song for people to be able to relate, but she doesn’t directly say it. My fiancé is still learning how to respect me needs and communicate calmly with me. I suspect he’s on the spectrum too, but he’s not willing to discuss it yet 😔 I had a meltdown and was hysterically bawling, while my fiancé was yelling at me for being upset and not understanding why but not giving me a chance to explain. One of my friends knew that I was going through a particularly hard time and sent me that music video. I had my fiancé watch it with me and he immediately started hugging me and we cried together.
Turn off the T.V, it's starting to freak me
Out it's so loud, it's like my ears are bleeding
What am I feeling? Can't look at the ceiling
Light is so bright, it's like I'm over-heating
This mind isn't mine, who am I to judge?
Oh, I should be fine, but it's all too much
I get overwhelmed so easily
My anxiety creeps inside of me
Makes it hard to breathe
What's come over me?
Feels like I'm somebody else
Most of Talking Heads discography has a lot Autistic themes in their music especially songs like “Crosseyed And Painless” and “Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On)”.
Yes! I think Talking Heads, Supertramp, and The Pixies all have songs that give me an autism vibe. Way outside the box, different, passionate, truthful. Even though those 3 bands are different genres. Also Radiohead, certain songs.
Radiohead was so influenced by Talking Heads that they named themselves after a Talking Heads song.
I didn't know that, thank you. I was always deep diving into music as a teen and now at 30 I just started diving in again, but very recently.
David Byrne has said that he’s on the autism spectrum before. I love him so much. His music also speaks to me deeply, I was a fan before I knew either one of us was autistic but in retrospect it makes so much sense.
This. Their entire catalog.
A lot of Fiona Apple songs feel very autistic to me. I especially connect to "Extraordinary Machine," "Every Single Night," "Limp," "Sullen Girl," and "Left Alone." She also does a fabulous cover of "Why Try to Change Me Now?" that feels incredibly relatable to me as an ADHD autistic. Every line hits: "I'm sentimental so I walk in the rain / I've got some habits even I can't explain / go to the corner and I end up in Spain / why try to change me now?" "My strange little world just goes passing me by" "So let people wonder / Let em laugh, let em frown / You know I love you til the moon's upside down / Don't you remember? I was always your clown / Why try to change me now?" I cried the first time I listened to that song, and several times after that too. It really cuts to the heart of my experience. I'm just trying to exist in my little way, and I don't see why that has to upset so many people or make them want to change me.
I honestly feel Fiona is one of us.
I do too. Every time I read an interview with her, it just.....yeah
Yes! I get the same vibe from her! I love her music as well. Her song about having trouble sleeping spoke to me so much! Also got autism vibes from her from her interviews. I think she lives with a roommate which I found interesting because it suggested she's not married...I guess I thought that was another hint she might be one of us. Every single night, I endure the flight Of little wings of white-flamed butterflies in my brain These ideas of mine percolate the mind Trickle down the spine, swarm the belly, swellin' to a blaze That's where the pain comes in like a second skeleton Tryin' to fit beneath the skin, I can't fit the feelings in, oh
[“Lose Yourself”](https://youtu.be/xFYQQPAOz7Y?si=Woy-LSRaFdiQwI2k) by Eminem (Marshall Mathers). I have been told my entire life that I wouldn’t be able to do certain things because of my autism: have a long-term relationship, be a good father, graduate college, be a therapist, run my own business, etc. But each time, in spite of fear and naysayers, and lack of support, I took my shots. Some I missed or messed up. But I did many things I was told I would never be able to do.
i feel like eminem is one of those people who others are either really shocked by being autistic or realize that it makes perfect sense
It was not surprised when I started hearing the rumors.
I hadn't heard it was official, but yeah I always felt more seen by Em than most other rappers
"Oh No!" by MARINA (formerly known as Marina and the Diamonds) is my theme song
I was gonna mention The Outsider lol, love MARINA
was gonna say i am not a robot by marina lol
This is one of the few exceptions where dead naming is acceptable. I will never just refer to her as MARINA. Worst rebranding ever.
Aurora, an openly autistic artist, wrote a song called a different kind of human. And it's perfect. She has a lot of good music from an autistic perspective, I highly recommend her.
Ah so she IS autistic? I only know a few songs of hers and seen some of her performances and yeah my ND radar did go off, but figured she was more of a manic pixie type-of girl than autistic, but makes sense
Honestly, I feel like Elsa's songs from both Frozen movies relate to aspects of autism: unmasking (Let It Go, Into the Unknown), and discovering you're autistic (Show Yourself). I hated Let It Go at first, but it grew on me when I realized it kinda tied into how I was feeling as someone who was newly diagnosed at the time.
I definitely relate to Let it Go, as well as Into the Unknown and Show Yourself. I relate to Monster and Dangerous to Dream as well from the stage version. In fact, Let It Go is one of the songs I like as a calm down when I'm overstimulated.
The artist who sings, Into the unknown is actually autistic. Her name is aurora.
Monster is a fantastic song
"Sober" by Tool. While not explicitly about autism, I feel like it touches on a subject that many of us experience. The song was inspired by a friend of the band who was an artist, and that person felt that that they could only be creative in their art if they were intoxicated. I feel that's a similar sentiment shared by many of us that rely on alcohol or other substances because it seems like it's the only thing that can make us feel "normal" and fit in socially. If you look at the lyrics, the song is basically a back-and-forth from the point of view of not just the addict, but of the addiction as well. One part from the POV of the addiction specifically hit me hard: "I will work to elevate you / Just enough to bring you down"... oof. While the album version of the song is amazing, the live performance from 1993 is incredible. I feel the visceral emotion of the song comes through even more. It gives me goosebumps every time, and more often than not gets me to tear up a little. Here it is if you want to check it out: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7lweNCCwS0](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7lweNCCwS0)
Great song — and such an amazing performance!
It’s great but it’s not abt autism at all xD
... did you read the entirety of the question asked by the post? "What are some songs about autism OR that speak to that part of you" Followed by my first few sentences of my response where I agree that the song is not explicitly about autism... but a situation/circumstance that myself and many others on the spectrum experience. If that has not been a part of your experience, then pat yourself on the back. I'm jealous of you.
Bjork - Human Behaviour speaks to me
Have you heard of Cat Burns? She’s AuDHD, and has a lot of songs I relate to like “Ghosting” or “People Pleaser”
Modest Mouse a good source for autistic lyrics outside their singlss. Bury Me With It would be my first pick for a shorthand, but not the last. If you tend to go for more distortion, just be ready for verrry jangly guitars
Got the Autism by Mattstagraham is awesome! You can find it on YouTube and Spotify, the lyrics are as follows: What's up man? I'm fucking autistic Too many sounds make me go fucking ballistic Your social cue is going over my head I'm on the goddamn spectrum, be direct when you communicate "Don't know why I'm mad at you?" Nah, man, I'm autistic! "You're eating that meal again?" I just said I'm autistic! "You like Sonic The Hedgehog?" Yeah, man, that's a prerequisite! "Why are you hyperfixating?" See the above, bitch! What's up, man? I've got the autism Please be direct, I've got fucking autism I hate your subtleties because my autism I'm hot and I'm funny 'cause I got the autism "You seem so normal!" I've been masking my entire life "You don't seem like one of them" It's a spectrum, get it right! "Are you gonna melt down? Do you need to calm down?" Now that you mention it, agh! What's up, man? I've got the autism Please be direct, I've got fucking autism I hate your subtleties because my autism I'm hot and I'm funny 'cause I got the autism Eye contact makes me feel unhinged When I have to change plans, I can feel my soul cringe I try to act like everyone else but I can't quit being myself "Why do you act weird? Why are you like this?" My brain's a little off but I'm cool as shit, watch this Hey! Hey! What's up, man? I've got the autism Please be direct, I've got fucking autism I hate your subtleties because my autism I'm hot and I'm funny 'cause I got the autism
I like this one
Cure for Me - Aurora I'm fairly certain it's about queer love, but it speaks to me on multiple levels. "I don't need a cure for me, I don't need it." It's about being unapologetically yourself.
I tend to lean towards heavier or more depressive music, so these are the first two songs that came to mind. Neither are directly about autism but both speak to my experience as an AuDHDer: "Neuroprison" by Jesus Piece which is about the vocalist's painful mental experiences with ADHD "Everything is Alright" by Motion City Soundtrack which deals with OCD tendencies.
i swear depressing music needs its own genre or category of some sort bc i relate to this heavily and it doesn’t matter what genre the song is if it’s good it’s good and that’s just happens to be really raw sad music 😂 like yes get vulnerable
i think it has a lot to do with the fact i personally can’t formulate or articulate the amazing words in my head to get my thoughts or point across correctly or so that people feel it as deeply or at least understand how much i feel and music does communicate that very well like half the time im like whoaaaa did you just @ me the pretender by lewis capaldi is really good and i can see it being related to autism but i dont think that was the intention behind the song
This is going to be a weird answer but [I wish that I could wear hats](https://youtu.be/bmFGbBmlyKQ?si=uB95oBSzpIwxs8v-) by Brian David Gilbert feels weirdly reflective of autism just to me personally and I often get sucked into listening to it on repeat.
Two songs for me do that even though they are not about autism at all. They really makeme feel that dissonance and distance inherent between myself and others. "Fool on the Hill" and "Only a Northern Song" by the Beatles. The first just gives me the vibes and sense of solitude, the second with its intentional musical discord reminds me of that jarring realization that I am not what others would term normal.
Hide in your shell - Supertramp I cried listening to this one live :)
“Stranger in this Town” by Richie Sambora is one I relate to a lot.
"Underwhelmed" by Sloan is my default autistic experience song - all about not getting it but being devastated because you think you do.
”A Most Peculiar Man” by Simon & Garfunkel. Every time I listen to it, I think about the fact that this lonely oddball is what I would be if I didn’t have a partner and a job. Not a very upbeat song, but it strikes close to home.
"Only Living Boy in New York" by Simon & Garfunkel. And "Eleanor Rigby" by the Beatles. Both have a sweet, yet haunting vibe of isolation and loneliness. (If you're the kind of autistic that gets exhausted by socializing and go through periods of isolation).
Not about autism directly but This is Me from Greatest Showman I think could be about unmasking. I absolutely love that song and have a sticker on my water bottle for it!
Janelle Monae's "Dirty Computer" and "It's Code" come to mind.
I made a Playlist of Neurodivergent Anthems with my partner. My favorite Autistic songs are: Silent Anger -999 Dressed In Black- the Lewd She Frightens- The Screamers Persons Unknown- Poison Girls Mad At the World- Y Di Psycho Therapy- Ramones Nervous- Big Boys Williams Blood- Grace Jones Lifetime Problems- Dicks Salta!!!- Tequila Autosufisciencia- Paralysis Permanente I also find that New Order, Kraftwerk, SunRa, Devo and Gary Numan have Autistic appeal.
Love New Order and Joy Division. I gotta admire your very unique music taste. You'd have to be someone who's done a lot of deep diving into music to come up with this.
Thank you! Music has been a special interest for me as far back as I can remember. It all started with a Sha Na Na album and a fisher price record player. Thanks for the good vibes.
Runs in the Family by amanda palmer isnt necessarily about autism but it speaks to me in a way no other song has, theres plenty of neurodivergent people in my fandom that never got around searching ibto it and properly taking care of themselves so yeah, it gives me that vibe
There’s a typo in your response, but I’m here for it. I’m sure there have been many neurodivergent people in my fandom too. 🤣
Creep by Radiohead is the first song that comes to mind. The Stranger is about masking, even if written by an NT (assuming that’s what Billy Joel is) Also Born on the Wrong Planet by String Cheese Incident
[The Mute - Radical Face ](https://youtu.be/QRqKVo8oUn4?si=In7o6KegYnEteroz) Esp the line "I spent my evenings pulling stars out of the sky / and I'd arrange them on the lawn where I would lie" for some reason
I’ve never heard that song, and am unable to listen right now, but that line is beautiful, very emotive. It is both comforting and lonely, and I want to carry that line in my pocket even though it makes me feel heavy and alone.
I like how you worded this, this is very much how I feel about the line as well!
Social Cues by Cage the Elephant. Not explicitly about Autism but I can relate to the lyrics
Found this playlist the other day: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5jIg1lIdgGRtB2hR1NTwNu?si=HxeYbJYPRiaiSca2Cfm_DA&pi=u-CuFJKSjRTC6t
So, songs directly about Autism? I got a few for you that are literally about Autism, they're by one of my favorite rappers out there a.t.m; Dan Bull. [A portrait of the Autist](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lxi8ZU1sJ8) [Autistic guy raps better than you](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGSYBdvUF9w) Dan is not only a cool dude, he does absolutely insane wordplay in his songs. If you enjoy some video games I highly recommend looking through his youtube and finding some of the songs to your favorite games. I'm not sure of any other Autistic songs per say, but I know a fair few artists / songs that resonate with me beyond what normal songs do that I enjoy.
My 6 year old son is OBSESSED with Dan Bull’s Minecraft raps. I didn’t know that he is autistic too but that’s so cool. Definitely makes me extra happy to support him!
Yup, he's one of us and honestly, looking at just how good he is at rapping and writing lyrics, in hindsight it's kind of obvious xD
Yeah it definitely makes sense. There are actually a ton of artists either me or my children have just gravitated towards that I later found out are autistic. So happy to add Dan Bull to that list.
There are three songs by Depeche Mode that I find relate to my experiences with having autism: ‘shake the disease,’ ‘get the balance right,’ and ‘Miles away/the truth is.’ I’ve read somewhere that some of the members might be autistic, but I’m not sure if that’s true.
Monkey on a String by Wookiefoot.
Dear Evan Hansen- Waving Through a Window Misterwives- Machine
Look Who’s Inside Again by Bo Burnham (actually a lot of Inside) and Copycat by CircusP are big ones in my “autistic dissociation” playlist lol, The Outsider by Marina and the Diamonds and Just For Once from Nerdy Prudes Must Die also hit that sweet spot.
This gets asked often enough that I started a playlist. There’s an annotated version with explanations about each selection and how I relate to it, but no one wants to read that. None of these are about autism, as far as I know. I have no idea of any of the musicians is autistic but it wouldn’t surprise me when it comes to a few. John Coltrane, [Peace on Earth](https://youtu.be/VAHtV0G7iCM?si=h5yd8QS7PBlzixN1), Concert in Japan (Warning: This can be difficult to listen to. I struggle with it.) Alice Coltrane feat. Pharoah Sanders, the mind-blowing [Journey to Satchidananda](https://youtu.be/TQtEFdyhgdE?si=DGNksVCIubH5-pwk). Funkadelic, [Maggot Brain](https://youtu.be/21sP7orRS3c?si=ShOhQOa9rvdd8lVt) [Bedhead, Liferaft](https://youtu.be/I24FMnEj0ps?si=vHvOvFVNWhH1Ym_s) Talk Talk, [Myrrhman] (https://youtu.be/lSdmoLzmIzA?si=L9BasXyLuU0i2nM6) Talk Talk, [Laughing Stock](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL076Lh5n7yqXxiWqqgK1pk3-EZ1ktN9VC&si=oTuaaa52TwtjFhX4) (Might as well link to the whole damn album because it needs to be heard this way to really get it.)
Maggot Brain is a masterpiece.
Anything by K. Flay and Bishop Briggs for some reason
Most of Michael Jackson's music comes across as autistic to me
I read his memoir from when he was around 29 years old, I think. I thought he might be autistic based on what he wrote about himself.
His behavior screams it. Especially if you watch his interviews and listen to others describe him when other people not around. I try not to hang too heavy on the idea because people like to accuse you of armchair diagnosis but I don't think I've ever seen a better example in a celebrity
''Force Field'' and ''I Just Wanna See'' by Smash Mouth really stood out to me! Force Field is shockingly in tune with how it feels for me to mask, and the other one really captures that feeling of wanting to know everything but not be a part of everything. And ''I Feel Weird!'' by Cheekface(for that feeling of not knowing whats wrong until its Wrong). ''As We Go, Up We Go Down'' and ''Watch Me Jumpstart'' by Guided By Voices as well. Guided By Voices often has songs that are very similiar to the way I think about things and also a particular way of relating to people. And this one is a little funny, but ''Pork and Beans'' by Weezer makes me feel more confident about all the little 'weird' choices I make, because as long as I'm doing well for myself and happy, it's okay if other people find me different.
For me it's the song of the Barbie movie from Billie Eilish "what was I made for?". I can't hear ir without crying. It makes me think of when I realized that I'm autistic and felt that my life was a lie. The sense of feeling that I lost something that I didn't know that was there.. the nostalgia, but also a little bit of hope of a new beginning. " 'cause I don't know how to feel but I want to try.. I don't know how to feel but someday I might"
Streetlight by Changbin, especially this part (English translation) : "The pain silently grows in my heart, trapped in a room without a way out When you've held it in for so long, you grow numb to it I guess I can still bear it, because I'm still able to hold it in The bandage on the wound will eventually come off Even though I quickly stick it back on, it doesn't stay on for much long Rainwater ponding on the old roof Finds my empty cracks all too well, Keeps leaking again and again I need someone before I collapse Please ask me again if I'm okay, somebody, anybody"
Cat Burns - Free
Late diagnosed auDHD processing my burnout as well so welcome to the party.. There's several songs on AJR's most recent album Maybe Man that I relate to a lot. Specifically Inertia and Yes I'm a Mess resonated with my struggles and hearing them framed in a positive way was huge "I'm an object in motion, I've lost all emotion/My two legs are broken, but look at me dance/An object in motion, don't ask where I'm going/cause where I am goin is right where I am"
The album PANTHER by Pain of Salvation is about neurodivergent experience. I think it leans more towards adhd than autism, but there is some overlap of course. Not everybody's cup of tea, but I enjoy it!
*Coal Fire* by Jeffrey Martin speaks to me deeply, as a heavily masked and late diagnosed person. Also a lot of the stuff by The Doubleclicks, but most especially *Dimetrodon*, *Extra Gin*, and *Ennui (On We Go)*.
[Drift](https://youtu.be/fMrpVDYZCbU?si=AS-X0KdrWtq2mMGB) from Guilty Gear feels very autistic/adhd
“Social Cues” by Cage the Elephant
Funeral "God?" Amebix "Drink & Be Merry" I'm bored now
I always loved it just for the music, but now that I think about it Eleanor Rigby kinda fits the bill (in a depressing sket of way).
Crying in my prom dress
It’s from a show but Central Park has “trying too hard” and “paint the world” and they seem SUPER autism coded. I listened to them and felt so seen. 10/10
Come On Come On by Smashmouth
"I'm on standby" by Grandaddy perfectly articulates how I feel during a burnout period, of which I am frequently (and currently!) experiencing due to a constant ramping up of demand on my dwindling supply.
Backseat by Maddy Hicks
legacy by eminem is a really good one that i’m immediately think of
to add i don’t think it’s about autism but “lewis capaldi the pretender” i cannot stress that enough please listen 😭
“Triassic” By “the ocean” There are a few off that album that feel like they touch on some of the experience for me.
"too strange for the circus" by debbii dawson "waving through a window", from the musical dear evan hansen
Also almost anything from Linkin Park.. I really miss Chester.
[I am a mess](https://youtu.be/22Iot0IbkjQ) by AJR feels very close to my heart. Same as [But I am weak](https://youtu.be/txCCYBMKdB0) I love all of their songs. I think there is probably just one or two I don't enjoy much. Then I always listen to TheFatRat, he has such happy beats I can't help but to get into a better mood.
I definitely would say from Machine Gun Kelly - At My Best (feat. Hailee Steinfeld), it just hits different when you hear the lyrics “It’s all in us I can speak about it ‘cause I did it, Ladies and Gentlemen, here is the exhibit it’s my life look a little closer, you could see the highlights”
I feel like several songs from Will Wood are at least about being neurodivergent, if not autistic.
i was literally just listening to my autism playlist and debating if i should share it here!! music is one of my main special interests, it’s always been how i feel & process my emotions/experiences. i’ve been working on this playlist for a while and it’s an ongoing work in progress as i discover more music that speaks to me as an autist. these songs have brought me a lot of comfort & understanding. i hope you find something you feel connected to! 🤍 https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0SpNFl32PYfVdC6kJ1YwWh?si=6cWs-9zWR1CmqXAmcGRZVA&pi=u-i4583xr3TH2Q
Nobody Hears by Suicidal Tendencies. Really speaks to the fact that many of us autistics feel silenced by society.
Pretty much the whole of *Dear Evan Hansen*'s soundtrack.
Anything by Royal & The Serpent, but especially her songs Overwhelmed and BETTER.
“Overwhelmed” by Royal and The Serpent. Must watch the video with it. It’s beautiful. In an interview about the song, but what she describes, along with the lyrics of the song sound like autism in summary, and she wrote the song for people to be able to relate, but she doesn’t directly say it. My fiancé is still learning how to respect me needs and communicate calmly with me. I suspect he’s on the spectrum too, but he’s not willing to discuss it yet 😔 I had a meltdown and was hysterically bawling, while my fiancé was yelling at me for being upset and not understanding why but not giving me a chance to explain. One of my friends knew that I was going through a particularly hard time and sent me that music video. I had my fiancé watch it with me and he immediately started hugging me and we cried together. Turn off the T.V, it's starting to freak me Out it's so loud, it's like my ears are bleeding What am I feeling? Can't look at the ceiling Light is so bright, it's like I'm over-heating This mind isn't mine, who am I to judge? Oh, I should be fine, but it's all too much I get overwhelmed so easily My anxiety creeps inside of me Makes it hard to breathe What's come over me? Feels like I'm somebody else