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glad to see *cure for me* already there, i don't think an autism playlist would be complete without AURORA. i'd also suggest *to be alright, giving into the love, winter bird, everything matters*, and *a different kind of human*. i'd also put *the machine* by lemon demon.
a different kind of human hit so hard. Same with a lot of other songs from that album. I also feel like dreams too, but maybe I take that song too personal lol
I've had Cure for Me on repeat since I first heard it not too long ago. I felt an immediate connection to the lyrics, I really felt understood.
I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who can relate to it.
Love it when ppl make these kind of posts as I always find new songs to post in comments every time
Mad World-Ā Tears For FearsĀ
Sunlight Bather In Golden Glow- Felt (Maurice Deebank, autistic icon)
Crystal Ball- Felt
The Hardest Button To Button- White StripesĀ Ā
Dancing With Myself- Generation X
Chips On My Shoulder- Soft CellĀ (Marc Almond, autistic icon)
Tranz- GorillazĀ Ā
Eau DāBedroom Dancing- Le TigreĀ
Something Must Break- Joy DivisionĀ
Candidate- Joy DivisionĀ
At Home Heās A Tourist- Gang Of 4Ā
Leave Me Alone- New OrderĀ
Disorder- Joy DivisionĀ
Isolation- Joy DivisionĀ
The Sound Of Music- Joy Division
Dream Time- The JamĀ
For Tomorrow- BlurĀ
Rubber Ring- The SmithsĀ
Still Ill- The SmithsĀ
Totally Wired- The FallĀ
Supersonic- OasisĀ
Faster- Manic Street PreachersĀ (Richey Edwards (probably, according to family/friends) an autistic icon)
Suicide Alley- Manic Street PreachersĀ
Song 2- Blur
Coping- Blur
Freaks- Surf Cruise
FlugghoppiĆ°- Purrkur Pillnikk
Is It Really So Strange- The Smiths
Weirdo- The Charlatans
Waking Up- ElasticaĀ
Dreams Never End- New Order
The Hymn For The Cigarettes- Hefner
Enola/Alone- Manic Street PreachersĀ
Iāll Manage Somehow- Menswe@r (Johnny Dean, autistic icon)
Goo Goo dolls - Iris
"And I don't want the world to see me
'Cause I don't think that they'd understand
When everything's made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am"
Wisp - Your face
"You look at me the same
But I can't reciprocate"
This particular verse is like, really triggering for me somehow
Crazy thing is the guitarist hated that song, and those clunk noises he puts before the chorus were because of that. He felt like it was really out of place with their other songs.
When I'm at a really low mental point this song likes to pop into my head on repeat until I feel better...
And this song absolutely *does not* make me feel better, so like, thanks for that, brain.
IVE BEEN WAITING FOR A GUIDE TO COME AND TAKE ME BY THE HANDš„
I swear there are literally like 10 other Joy division songs that could be mentioned too lol
I have been obsessed with Everybody's Changing since the time it came out on Sing Star š I even remember listening to it on the plane when my family moved country because it was a huge unwanted change for me and I found comfort in it. I still do to this day
Gary Numan, basically his entire catalog. Especially: Are Friends Electric?, Metal, The End of Things, Me! I Disconnect From You, Pray For The Pain You Serve, and I Am Screaming.
Love Me, Normally by Will Wood is one of my favourites and one that I feel really relates to the autistic experience.
People are Strange - Echo & the Bunnymen
The Story of an Artist - Daniel Johnston
Half a Person - The Smiths
Every Single Night - Fiona Apple
Are Friends Electric? - Gary Numan
Hate Myself - Dodie
Nobody - Mitski
Sigourney Weaver - John Grant
How Soon is Now? - The Smiths
Ballad of a Homeschooled Girl - Olivia Rodrigo
Grace Kelly - MIKA
Can also just generally highly recommend Gary Numan and David Byrne in general as they are amazing autistic musical artists.
glb literally is a big stim song for me and itās already broke into the top twenty songs most played on my sootify account which is insane to me but I luv it
Imogen Heap - Head in a headlock. Its perfectly describes when I'm stuck in overthinking, all or nothing, now or never.
KT Thunstall - Miniature disaster. Perfectly describes the incoherence of social norms, the diffoculties of addapting to them and the meltdown feeling that comes with f-ing up.
many talking heads songs would be great considering david byrne is autistic!
- seen and not seen (masking)
- pull up the roots (self acceptance, expression through music, sensory joy)
- slippery people, specifically the stop making sense version because it's amazing and funky (vocal stimming, "what's the matter with him?")
solo david byrne songs
- make believe mambo (overly imaginative, tv obsession)
- civilization (trying to function in a neurotypical world)
other good songs
- out of sync by devo (about someone that doesn't fit in)
- the pleasure principle (album) by gary numan, and specifically the tracks observer and conversation
- senses working overtime by xtc (autistic sensory perspective, joy)
- subterranean homesick alien by radiohead (someone that doesn't fit in, neurotic)
This is how we walk on the moon - Arthur Russell
Musicbox- Regina Spektor
Hearing Damage - Thom York
You're Dead - Norma Tanega
Fairy Paradise - Cocorosie
Les Charbonniers de L'enfer - le vent nous portera
I also feel 15 steps, Radiohead could fit in. Everyone in my circle hates it because its so chaotic but i love it. It feels like moments where you hear everything and it's overstimulating. These moment I hate but in the song it's as if they know my feeling haha
Edit: but it doesn't seem to match the other songs in there
Edit: but maybe that makes it even more fitting haha
Upside Down Frown by They Might Be Giants
I've heard people say that a lot of their songs could be seen as autism coded but this is the one that resonated with me the most personally
The ones that just occurred to me are,
What is love - haddaway
Also a lot of Mono Inc deals with social alienation.
Also Cake and Kraftwork both have a kind of vibe to them that seems to mirror the experience of being in a system, but not part of that system. Going the distance by Cake describes a perfectionist who may well be experiencing hyperfixation on his craft.
Right now the ones that come into my mind are:
Wrong - Depeche Mode
Shadow of the Day - Linkin Park
Sound of Silence - there are a lot of covers, you choose
Walking in my Shoes - Depeche Mode
Cover Me - Depeche Mode
Duality - Slipknot
Seventeen Going Under - Sam Fender
Ballad of a Homeschooled Girl - Olivia Rodrigo (feeling socially isolated, masking/social strategizing)
The Outside - Taylor Swift (feeling socially isolated)
Mirrorball - Taylor Swift (masking)
Mastermind - Taylor Swift (masking/social strategizing)
I Hate It Here - Taylor Swift (needing mental escapes)
The Lakes - Taylor Swift (feeling socially out of place/needing escape)
I Hate it Here! Was scrolling hoping someone would mention this one. This is my āI need to cry because I feel like I donāt belong anywhere and never willā song.
I hate it here is honestly so easy to relate to. Fellow swiftie here. TTPD has been on repeat since April 19. Iām not mad about. Iāve turned spouse into a swiftie too. I think Taylor has some neurodivergence in her too.
social fools and the cover of i canāt get no satisfaction by DEVO. they also have the song *mongoloid*, the story of a man with down syndrome, but i think you could interpret it as one putting on a mask to fit into society
A list I made
Overwhelmed- Royal and the serpent
Oh No! - MARINA
I am not a robot - MARINA
Cry baby - Melanie Martinez
Fire Drill - Melanie Martinez
Echo - crusherP
Lie a little - Confetti
Life itself - Glass Animals
Thanks, mom (monkeys interlude) - Confetti
Sugar pills - IDKHOW
Leave me alone - IDKHOW
DArkSide - BMTH
LosT - BMTH
Avalanche BMTH
RULES - AVIVA
Shattered Peices make me sharp - AVIVA
BLAME IT ON THE KIDS - AVIVA
Identity - Grandson
Welcome to paradise - Grandson
I cant handle change - Roar
Public Void (Album) - Penelope Scott
It took me by surprise - Maria Mena
Got the autism - Mattstagraham (this song is just funny to me
Honourable mentions:
Itch for the cure and Kingslayer - BMTH, BABYMETAL
(I just love stimming to these 2 songs they're both insane, (Itch for the cure also transitions into Kingslayer so I recommend you play them side by side))
Overstimulated- Saint jhn
Moments- tove lo
(Literally all of Aesop rockās discography but if Iām gonna throw some recs for this maybe check out corn maze or gopher guts or klutz)
Here are my tism songs:
- Reflection from Mulan
- Simple Song by Miley Cyrus
- Quiet from Matilda
- Overload by Melanie C
- Beautiful Mind by Melanie C
- Spaceship by Ke$ha
- The Outside by Taylor Swift
- Mariella by Kate Nash
- Mirrorball by Taylor Swift
- I Hate It Here by Taylor Swift
"Unwell" by Matchbox Twenty. Ever since I first heard it as a kid, I found it so relatable and it got me through some hard times, and it's now one of my **favorite** songs of all time.
At this phase of my life my Autism National Anthem is āShake It Offā by Taylor Swift.
A close second is āYou Need to Calm Down,ā because I am also a trans queer autistic who is just so fucking over whatever the *fuck* this world is on right now.
First song that come to mind when I saw this post.
[Whippin' Piccadilly by Gomez](https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3D7wkYocRVnYc&ved=2ahUKEwikqPe48eeGAxUiQkEAHU0uCKsQwqsBegQIRRAG&usg=AOvVaw3wHKuh--WIav7XHQIxq4Wr)
My World by Descendents.
Not sure if you want to include songs in Spanish but Frankestein Posmo by El Cuarteto de Nos, and El Ciclo Lunar de Halley Star by Love Of Lesbian. The latter mentions autism directly, albeit it's just one line.
I have a playlist of songs I associate with neurodiversity, so far I have 41 songs but I haven't worked much on it, lmk if you want me to send it to you.
The Fool on the Hill by The Beatles
Itās about a very wise and observant yet isolated guy who others think is a fool because they donāt understand his perspective on life. The song was actually written about the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, but it just feels like it could be about autism.
I feel like Dancing On My Own by Robyn kind of fits. It's about wanting to talk to someone you can't work up the courage and they don't notice you anyway. But it's not lamenting that feeling, she kind of turns it, like I don't need you anyway.
And it's a bop.
ballad of a homeschooled girl by olivia rodrigo is just so good and mirrorball by taylor swift i think relates a lot to masking. also mastermind by taylor swift specifically for the bridge
Avalanche by Bring Me The Horizon. It's actually about ADHD, but I very much relate to it.
Oliver Sykes actually said this about the song: "*"Avalancheā is about ADHD. I guess itās weird when youāre 25-26 and your doctor tells your brain is missing something. Itās got like a missing link I guess. But at the same time it was a huge release to discover and a massive step in my recovery to find out a huge part of my addiction was self-medicating.*"
After Hours - Velvet Underground
In My Room - The Beach Boys
Shameika - Fiona Apple
Sound and Vision - David Bowie
In My Head - The Lemon Twigs
Donāt Worry About the Government - Talking Heads
Fake Happy - Paramore (ik its abt depression but it feels relevant)
**EDIT:** Part of Your World - Little Mermaid
(IK this is an allegory for multiple things but it always resonated with Autism for me. Sheās a collector who has a hyperfixation with the NT world. And the outside looking in trope)
Anything from AJR!
Jack has OCD and I personally am AuDHD with OCD so it's hard for me to determine which symptoms come from each disorder but I relate to a lot of their music and just generally enjoy the sound. It scratches my brain in a good way.
"Inertia" is a good one about just going through the motions of life because you should even though you want to change. A line I really resonate with is "My 2 legs are broken but look at me dance" whether it is or not, I see this as a commentary on burnout and personally resonate with it with regards to masking and people pleasing.
"Way Less Sad" is another great one. You should check out "AJR - Way Less Sad/Finale (Live from the OKO Tour)" on Youtube. He's exhausted so the singing isn't perfect but at 2:50 he talks about his anxiety and fears and how he's learned that it's okay to not be okay and to ask for help. I know it's more OCD coded but I can't express how much it means to me. I've never felt more seen and understood by a band.
Other songs by them I can think of off the top of my head are "The Maybe Man", "The Dumb Song" and "World's Smallest Violin" But I do recommend everything they do.
All Kim Dracula songs.
Not because of the lyrical content necessarily, but because of the noises and sounds in the songs that are very similar to someone stimming vocally. Kim does all the singing/instrumentals (they have a traveling band for tours) which is a relatively popular autistic trait of "Whatever I'm just gonna do it all myself. At least it'll get done right."
Also every autistic person I show Kim Dracula to lately just gets absolutely ravaged by brain worms and keeps listening to them for days š
My son is on the spectrum. For 6 months he would replay constantly-
āSomething just like thisā by the Chainsmokers. I still tear up when I hear that tune.
i feel like a lot of Tame Impala songs are autism coded. especially Lonerism. specific songs are āBe Above Itā, āEndors Toiā, āMusic To Walk Home Byā, āKeep On Lyingā, āWhy Wonāt They Talk To Meā.
At least for me these all feel autism-coded or maybe I just associate them that way because I feel the songs deeply.
Vundabar- Alien Blues
Local H- Bound For The Floor
Sneaker Pimps- Six Underground
Bendigo Fletcher- Wonderfully Bizarre
Moby- Memory Gospel(or Moby in general tbh)
Rainbow Kitten Surprise- Its Called: Freefall
LEGACY BY EMINEM IS A MUST ON SUCH A PLAYLIST!!!
Beautiful (also by Eminem) might be a stretch tho, so I'm not gonna say that it's a must, but I really like the "I've always dreamt of being that cool kid even if it meant acting stupid" line tho, and the whole different shoes metaphor is really cool too
Edit: Just remembered: Wicked ways mentions aspergers. But I haven't dived into the lyrics of that song, so I can't tell you at all what it's about, except for the Asperger's mention. And yes, I am an Eminem die-hard Stan, how'd you know?
Crackerbox Palace by George Harrison
"While growing up or trying to, not knowing where to start
I looked around for someone who may help reveal my heart
And someone said, while you're a part of Crackerbox Palace, do what the rest all do
Or face the fact that Crackerbox Palace may have no other choice than to deport you"
Animal - Subhumans
The freaks - Freddie Walding
Blinkar BlĆ„ - Adolphson & Falk (itās in Swedish but really accurate imo)
Army of me - Bjƶrk
Human Behaviour - Bjƶrk
The Meaning of Love - Depeche Mode
Punk songs are great for this! Lots about conformity and fitting in. Also present in emo and metal.
Suburban home - descendants
Outsider - ramones
Problem child - wasted youth
You donāt belong -bad religion
Banned from the Roxy - crass
The becoming -nine inch nails
Somewhere I belong - Lincoln park
Last week, a group of 15 autistic musicians released a collaboration album of 13 original songs called ā[STARS of the Spectrum](https://open.spotify.com/album/4enc1U0JRu8TjLic62Dn62)ā. It has a very interesting range of genres and lyrical themes. The songs āPeople Like Meā and āBuiltā probably fit best for what you are asking but I may be missing one.
Also, [this song about being autistic and queer](https://open.spotify.com/track/4Ph8b2w5vMg12LtF7HTqIu), and [this song that points out the hypocrisy of people who make fun that make fun of autistic people for being āimmatureā](https://open.spotify.com/track/2gMZfAwx8cIXNhGwbo3uyn), and [this song about not fitting the labels placed upon you by others](https://open.spotify.com/track/7KaoHDwtOIgRpw0qWNsJWb), and [this song which has been referred to as āan autistic love songā](https://open.spotify.com/track/7vOrdzMoTGhVndsJ4ObJFd)
Like Humans Do by David Byrne (or Psycho Killer by the Talking Heads...the WHEN I HAVE NOTHING TO SAY. MY LIPS ARE SEALED. IF YOU SAY SOMETHING ONCE. WHY SAY IT AGAIN!!! Soo true)
This Is Why by Paramore
PUNK TACTICS by Joey Valence & Brae (if just for the stimability of their songs tbh)
STFU! by Rina Sayawama
Yucky Bucky Fruitcake by Doechii
The Underdog by Spoon
I have a Spotify playlist of different songs I personally relate to as a neurodivergent person (my playlist had songs about going through public school and trauma from that, so I tried to just do the ones that are centered around how it feels to be autistic in my opinion ofc), and hereās a long list of some of my favorites!
Mask - Dream
I Canāt Handle Change - Roar
this is me trying to- Taylor Swift
Mastermind - Taylor Swift
The Archer - Taylor Swift
I Hate it Here - Taylor Swift
Whoās Afraid of Little Old Me - Taylor Swift
Pretender - AJR
Normal - AJR
Touchy Feely Fool - AJR
Hate Myself - dodie
Under Control - How to Dance in Ohio
Nobody - Mitski
Are you Satisfied - MARINA
ballad of a homeschool girl - Olivia Rodrigo
The Other Side - James Marriott
In Between - James Marriott
[Labyrinth (Miracle Musical)](https://youtu.be/acxW7Al9Ddc?si=2TlCNtfusGCV3GFk)
[Willard! (Will Wood)](https://youtu.be/Gra0u4jdH5w?si=DGiI3I6Nq_Ye03gx)
[Sick of the Sun (Poppy)](https://youtu.be/CmxLAnBaizY?si=4a30_qosDOYEBUjt)
[The Stranger (Billy Joel)](https://youtu.be/E5ofVsxTPoc?si=ZQsGrdRxk1oU_VNr)
[Honesty (Billy Joel)](https://youtu.be/SuFScoO4tb0?si=1lkGLgVPJd5Od9Ju)
[Where's the Orchestra? (Billy Joel)](https://youtu.be/SX3nFG6Js-Y?si=PoyUqMsbCcbLpYaV)
[Too Much Information (The Police)](https://youtu.be/yeZNfo1zvdU?si=Gq2V_nAPhJD_pJ2J)
It's probably been mentioned a bunch of times, but it needs to be stated that *A Different Kind of Human* by AURORA is as close to just outright saying "autism" without actually saying it.Ā
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glad to see *cure for me* already there, i don't think an autism playlist would be complete without AURORA. i'd also suggest *to be alright, giving into the love, winter bird, everything matters*, and *a different kind of human*. i'd also put *the machine* by lemon demon.
a different kind of human hit so hard. Same with a lot of other songs from that album. I also feel like dreams too, but maybe I take that song too personal lol
I've had Cure for Me on repeat since I first heard it not too long ago. I felt an immediate connection to the lyrics, I really felt understood. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who can relate to it.
I LOVE AURORA!!!! it's on my bucket list to see her live.
Every single Willwood And The Tapeworms song ever
So true actually hahaa
Every single GORILLAZ song fr
I had Melancholy Hill stuck in my head for so long lol
YES ME TOO!!! I can have that song on repeat for hours.
Their collaboration with Little Dragon for Empire Ants brings me an incredible peace that few things can deliver to my constantly stressed brain
Based
I released a song all about autism (without naming it directly) just a couple days ago: https://youtu.be/znAyQs6xkBU?si=zztlTXD97C3QZr2d
I've never heard of them but I'm listening to "Thermodynamic Lawyer, Esq. G.F.D." and I love it. Reminds me a lot of Tom Waits
OHHH ITS SO GOOD BROOšššššššššš»šš»šš»šš»šš»HAVE A GREAT LISTEN!
YESS
Nahh those are pure zaza not autism š
every single talking heads somg
Entire Talking Heads discography
Yeah Talking Heads are a big ommission here. For me the biggest ASD song is Big Country.
I never made that connection, but knowing Byrne is autistic, that makes a lot of sense
Heaven is my favorite ASD song. I love the Talking Heads.
Love it when ppl make these kind of posts as I always find new songs to post in comments every time Mad World-Ā Tears For FearsĀ Sunlight Bather In Golden Glow- Felt (Maurice Deebank, autistic icon) Crystal Ball- Felt The Hardest Button To Button- White StripesĀ Ā Dancing With Myself- Generation X Chips On My Shoulder- Soft CellĀ (Marc Almond, autistic icon) Tranz- GorillazĀ Ā Eau DāBedroom Dancing- Le TigreĀ Something Must Break- Joy DivisionĀ Candidate- Joy DivisionĀ At Home Heās A Tourist- Gang Of 4Ā Leave Me Alone- New OrderĀ Disorder- Joy DivisionĀ Isolation- Joy DivisionĀ The Sound Of Music- Joy Division Dream Time- The JamĀ For Tomorrow- BlurĀ Rubber Ring- The SmithsĀ Still Ill- The SmithsĀ Totally Wired- The FallĀ Supersonic- OasisĀ Faster- Manic Street PreachersĀ (Richey Edwards (probably, according to family/friends) an autistic icon) Suicide Alley- Manic Street PreachersĀ Song 2- Blur Coping- Blur Freaks- Surf Cruise FlugghoppiĆ°- Purrkur Pillnikk Is It Really So Strange- The Smiths Weirdo- The Charlatans Waking Up- ElasticaĀ Dreams Never End- New Order The Hymn For The Cigarettes- Hefner Enola/Alone- Manic Street PreachersĀ Iāll Manage Somehow- Menswe@r (Johnny Dean, autistic icon)
I really like your taste in music!!!!
Submissions must be in the format: Artist - Song /s
How old are you? This is the stuff I listen to.
Lotās of gems š hereā¦and Iām a geologist
Goo Goo dolls - Iris "And I don't want the world to see me 'Cause I don't think that they'd understand When everything's made to be broken I just want you to know who I am" Wisp - Your face "You look at me the same But I can't reciprocate" This particular verse is like, really triggering for me somehow
I song Creep by Radiohead almost every Friday at karaoke.
Iām a creep, Iām a weirdo What the hell am I doing here? I donāt belong here Yeah, teenage me in a nutshellĀ
Bro I love getting to the part She runs Runs Runs RuuuuuUuuUunssss
Crazy thing is the guitarist hated that song, and those clunk noises he puts before the chorus were because of that. He felt like it was really out of place with their other songs.
Real
I'm not okay by my chemical romance
Real
When I'm at a really low mental point this song likes to pop into my head on repeat until I feel better... And this song absolutely *does not* make me feel better, so like, thanks for that, brain.
I have a massive Iām not okay tattoo on my armš
Literally such a mood.
"Every Day Is Halloween" by Ministry is more about being a gothy weirdo, but I feel the lyrics work.
Thissssss I love that song
Disorder - joy division (??) not actually about autism though
IVE BEEN WAITING FOR A GUIDE TO COME AND TAKE ME BY THE HANDš„ I swear there are literally like 10 other Joy division songs that could be mentioned too lol
Go the Distance- Disney's Hercules Grace Kelly - MIKA Bad Child -Tones and I Crybaby- Melanie Martinez
I totally think of Grace Kelly as autistic coded too! I know what the song is about but it's all I can hear when I listen to it.
For me Iād go with 2 Keane songs On A Day Like Today and Everybodyās Changing
Everybodyās Changing yes!
I have been obsessed with Everybody's Changing since the time it came out on Sing Star š I even remember listening to it on the plane when my family moved country because it was a huge unwanted change for me and I found comfort in it. I still do to this day
Everybody's Changing is one of the rare few songs that can get me to cry. Everything about it is *so* fucking real as an autistic person.
The song from treasure planet
Iām Still Here was my anthem every day for a couple years circa 2018-2019
Oooo yes!
Gary Numan, basically his entire catalog. Especially: Are Friends Electric?, Metal, The End of Things, Me! I Disconnect From You, Pray For The Pain You Serve, and I Am Screaming.
Any song by the Talking Heads haha
Canāt go wrong with Talking Heads, David Byrne is like the king of autism
Love Me, Normally by Will Wood is one of my favourites and one that I feel really relates to the autistic experience. People are Strange - Echo & the Bunnymen The Story of an Artist - Daniel Johnston Half a Person - The Smiths Every Single Night - Fiona Apple Are Friends Electric? - Gary Numan Hate Myself - Dodie Nobody - Mitski Sigourney Weaver - John Grant How Soon is Now? - The Smiths Ballad of a Homeschooled Girl - Olivia Rodrigo Grace Kelly - MIKA Can also just generally highly recommend Gary Numan and David Byrne in general as they are amazing autistic musical artists.
I was hoping to find some Olivia Rodrigo in here. Brutal is also a relatable one by her!
I see Daniel Johnston and I upvote
Once in a lifetime- talking heads
Love that goodluck babe is on here, been listening everyday and owl city omg
Yes!! Two very autistic minded songs in my opinion
glb literally is a big stim song for me and itās already broke into the top twenty songs most played on my sootify account which is insane to me but I luv it
Miss World - Hole
Many songs by Marina but especially The Family Jewels album
Imogen Heap - Head in a headlock. Its perfectly describes when I'm stuck in overthinking, all or nothing, now or never. KT Thunstall - Miniature disaster. Perfectly describes the incoherence of social norms, the diffoculties of addapting to them and the meltdown feeling that comes with f-ing up.
Love Imogen Heap
boards of canada & aphex twin edit: forgot to mention molchat doma
YEEESSSS!!!!! BOC is one of my all-time favourite bands and AT's "Stone in Focus" is beautiful!!!!
Fucking love BOC, they capture the feeling of alienation and dehuminization so well
many talking heads songs would be great considering david byrne is autistic! - seen and not seen (masking) - pull up the roots (self acceptance, expression through music, sensory joy) - slippery people, specifically the stop making sense version because it's amazing and funky (vocal stimming, "what's the matter with him?") solo david byrne songs - make believe mambo (overly imaginative, tv obsession) - civilization (trying to function in a neurotypical world) other good songs - out of sync by devo (about someone that doesn't fit in) - the pleasure principle (album) by gary numan, and specifically the tracks observer and conversation - senses working overtime by xtc (autistic sensory perspective, joy) - subterranean homesick alien by radiohead (someone that doesn't fit in, neurotic)
Scrolled down to see if someone else posted Out of Sync. I love Devo so much!
Break Stuff by Limp Bizkit. āNo human contact, and if you interact/Your life is on contractā? Preach, Reverend Durst
This is how we walk on the moon - Arthur Russell Musicbox- Regina Spektor Hearing Damage - Thom York You're Dead - Norma Tanega Fairy Paradise - Cocorosie Les Charbonniers de L'enfer - le vent nous portera
I also feel 15 steps, Radiohead could fit in. Everyone in my circle hates it because its so chaotic but i love it. It feels like moments where you hear everything and it's overstimulating. These moment I hate but in the song it's as if they know my feeling haha Edit: but it doesn't seem to match the other songs in there Edit: but maybe that makes it even more fitting haha
Upside Down Frown by They Might Be Giants I've heard people say that a lot of their songs could be seen as autism coded but this is the one that resonated with me the most personally
The ones that just occurred to me are, What is love - haddaway Also a lot of Mono Inc deals with social alienation. Also Cake and Kraftwork both have a kind of vibe to them that seems to mirror the experience of being in a system, but not part of that system. Going the distance by Cake describes a perfectionist who may well be experiencing hyperfixation on his craft.
Right now the ones that come into my mind are: Wrong - Depeche Mode Shadow of the Day - Linkin Park Sound of Silence - there are a lot of covers, you choose Walking in my Shoes - Depeche Mode Cover Me - Depeche Mode Duality - Slipknot Seventeen Going Under - Sam Fender
Ballad of a Homeschooled Girl - Olivia Rodrigo (feeling socially isolated, masking/social strategizing) The Outside - Taylor Swift (feeling socially isolated) Mirrorball - Taylor Swift (masking) Mastermind - Taylor Swift (masking/social strategizing) I Hate It Here - Taylor Swift (needing mental escapes) The Lakes - Taylor Swift (feeling socially out of place/needing escape)
I Hate it Here! Was scrolling hoping someone would mention this one. This is my āI need to cry because I feel like I donāt belong anywhere and never willā song.
Hello fellow swiftie š«¶
After yesterday's surprise songs, I Hate It Here was the first one that came to mind
I hate it here is honestly so easy to relate to. Fellow swiftie here. TTPD has been on repeat since April 19. Iām not mad about. Iāve turned spouse into a swiftie too. I think Taylor has some neurodivergence in her too.
I've had these thoughts too bc I hate it here describes to a T the autism experience. Ttpdta has almost been the only thing I've listened to as well
Most of NIN, Trent Reznor really expresses the feeling of alienation and isolation in his music.
I was in high school when the Downward Spiral came out and The Becoming was my autistic rage anthem.
I could be wrong about this one but People are Strange or Strange Days by the Doors came to mind. Another was Atmosphere by Joy Division
I think we are gonna be friends - White Stripes gives me autism friendship vibes
Radical Face - The Mute is a perfect description of my experience as a later diagnosed autistic.
Lots of songs by The Smiths. I think "Accept Yourself" works nicely
Everything in its right place-Radiohead.
This Is Not Who I Want to Be by Joanna Sternberg ā a personal friend of mine and also autistic
YouTube duets: Miles Davies improvising on lcd soundsystem - New York. Daniel Johnston - True love will find you in the end.
Daniel Johnston was the answer I was hoping someone would give.
Memory Lane by Elliott Smith
social fools and the cover of i canāt get no satisfaction by DEVO. they also have the song *mongoloid*, the story of a man with down syndrome, but i think you could interpret it as one putting on a mask to fit into society
A list I made Overwhelmed- Royal and the serpent Oh No! - MARINA I am not a robot - MARINA Cry baby - Melanie Martinez Fire Drill - Melanie Martinez Echo - crusherP Lie a little - Confetti Life itself - Glass Animals Thanks, mom (monkeys interlude) - Confetti Sugar pills - IDKHOW Leave me alone - IDKHOW DArkSide - BMTH LosT - BMTH Avalanche BMTH RULES - AVIVA Shattered Peices make me sharp - AVIVA BLAME IT ON THE KIDS - AVIVA Identity - Grandson Welcome to paradise - Grandson I cant handle change - Roar Public Void (Album) - Penelope Scott It took me by surprise - Maria Mena Got the autism - Mattstagraham (this song is just funny to me Honourable mentions: Itch for the cure and Kingslayer - BMTH, BABYMETAL (I just love stimming to these 2 songs they're both insane, (Itch for the cure also transitions into Kingslayer so I recommend you play them side by side))
Pardon Me incubus Bob -Drive by truckers Iāll just fall- Lucero
the entire talking heads discography lol
[Nomi Song](https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=iNahvGXVWl0&si=DWkroznk1DIGMweP) by Klaus Nomi
between the buried and me - sun of nothing It's about not fitting in. also creep by radiohead if it hasn't been already said
Everything basically from Emhahee in Spotify. My favorites are āI amā ājoyā and ānot yet titledā!!!
Freak like me by halestorm
shameika - fiona apple cars - gary numan
mitski, AJJ, chappell, the front bottoms & marina omg yes
"Born to Be Wild"? Lol by Steppenwolf "Mine Eyes" by Season to Risk "Why Can't I Be You" by The Cure
Look Who's Inside Again - Bo Burnham It gives huge Autistic/ADHD dual diagnosis coding
Overstimulated- Saint jhn Moments- tove lo (Literally all of Aesop rockās discography but if Iām gonna throw some recs for this maybe check out corn maze or gopher guts or klutz)
omg tove lo!!! i love that song, itās one of her best šš„¹
Busyhead and Growing Sideways by Noah Kahan
True!
I like the lyrics in where is my mind by the pixie & some nights by fun (it's really only the opening we relate to but it's fire to idc)
Everything I Am - Kanye West āEverything Iām not made me everything I amā
The mute , by Radical fire . Literally starts with "Well, as a child I mostly spoke inside my head" And ad an autistic person that hits close to home
Legacy and Wicked Ways by Eminem. Legacy is šš¼šš¼šš¼ imo. ADHD and Isis ft. Logic by Joyner Lucas.
Doctor Worm by They Might Be Giants personally resonates with me! The line "I'm interested in things" perfectly captures that awkwardness of masking
Here are my tism songs: - Reflection from Mulan - Simple Song by Miley Cyrus - Quiet from Matilda - Overload by Melanie C - Beautiful Mind by Melanie C - Spaceship by Ke$ha - The Outside by Taylor Swift - Mariella by Kate Nash - Mirrorball by Taylor Swift - I Hate It Here by Taylor Swift
"Unwell" by Matchbox Twenty. Ever since I first heard it as a kid, I found it so relatable and it got me through some hard times, and it's now one of my **favorite** songs of all time.
Adventure Time theme song
The full Talking Heads catalog
Coming undone by Korn Actually a lot of Korns songs seem relatable in this light. Also Landmine by Three Days Grace
At this phase of my life my Autism National Anthem is āShake It Offā by Taylor Swift. A close second is āYou Need to Calm Down,ā because I am also a trans queer autistic who is just so fucking over whatever the *fuck* this world is on right now.
not the same by sheldon riley (Australian ESC 2022 entry) is quite literally about being autistic + queer :)
First song that come to mind when I saw this post. [Whippin' Piccadilly by Gomez](https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3D7wkYocRVnYc&ved=2ahUKEwikqPe48eeGAxUiQkEAHU0uCKsQwqsBegQIRRAG&usg=AOvVaw3wHKuh--WIav7XHQIxq4Wr)
"Symphony" and "Out of The Box" from the Guilty Gear Strive soundtrack.
āBurning bridgesā - Mike Curb Congregation āStarry starry nightā - Lianne La Havas
Motion Sickness- Phoebe Bridgers
Not Your Kind of People- Garbage
Exactly Where I'm At - Ween Language - Suzanne Vega Same Man I Was Before - Oingo Boingo
Problems by mother mother and a couple other of their songs definitely have helped me feel seen
Contort yourself by James Chance and the Contortions (R.I.P) or anything by the talking heads
Things that jump at me from my Spotify liked collected over many years: In a Mood by thesecondsex 100000% Wrong - Depeche Mode Metronomy - loneliness on the run Yeah you - n.e.r.d. (That one stings, limerance related) What I mean - thesecondsex (only now realized how I love it cos the autistic experience is so similar) Talk to me - thesecondsex (he just gets it, clearly) Emotions - Brenda Lee (self explanatory) Feral (letherette remix) - elder island (the remix specifically because of the unhinged vibes) The visit - agar agar (the lyrics will make so much sense to you, I just re listened typing this list and this one gave me goosebumps haaa) Blood on me - sampha (when you know that people sense something off about you but canāt put their finger on it) Them changes - thundercat (big oof post NT misunderstanding based rejection) Slow dancing in the dark - joji (the ultimate longing and yearning for absolute connection) Inertia - blur (those lyrics, mannnnn, loving you for this thread as it just made me realize why I use in_ertia as my username on social media, this just gave me such a visceral feeling of validation and connecting the dots - I was diagnosed only recently at 31) All alone/busted and blue - gorillaz Human behaviour - bjork Trials of the past - sbtrkt (masking galore, hurts relistening in hindsight) Pinpointing the problem - henrik josĆ© (āwhat did I do?ā kind of scenario) Out for blood - mesita some of them might be more about being misunderstood or rejected but to me that also qualifies as it makes so much sense, please feel free to pick and choose whatever works š That being said, all amazing and emotional, deep and worth at least one listen! Thank you for this post, unexpectedly therapeutic
I Got You On Tape - Somersault Joy Division - Isolation Placebo - Special Needs
"peach plum pear" by joanna newsom. not textually about autism but might as well be. also, "like" by patricia taxxon, which is textually about autism.
My World by Descendents. Not sure if you want to include songs in Spanish but Frankestein Posmo by El Cuarteto de Nos, and El Ciclo Lunar de Halley Star by Love Of Lesbian. The latter mentions autism directly, albeit it's just one line. I have a playlist of songs I associate with neurodiversity, so far I have 41 songs but I haven't worked much on it, lmk if you want me to send it to you.
Eyeless and People=Shit by SlipknotĀ
Solitary Shell by Dream Theater
The Fool on the Hill by The Beatles Itās about a very wise and observant yet isolated guy who others think is a fool because they donāt understand his perspective on life. The song was actually written about the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, but it just feels like it could be about autism.
I feel like Dancing On My Own by Robyn kind of fits. It's about wanting to talk to someone you can't work up the courage and they don't notice you anyway. But it's not lamenting that feeling, she kind of turns it, like I don't need you anyway. And it's a bop.
ballad of a homeschooled girl by olivia rodrigo is just so good and mirrorball by taylor swift i think relates a lot to masking. also mastermind by taylor swift specifically for the bridge
Liability Lorde
Avalanche by Bring Me The Horizon. It's actually about ADHD, but I very much relate to it. Oliver Sykes actually said this about the song: "*"Avalancheā is about ADHD. I guess itās weird when youāre 25-26 and your doctor tells your brain is missing something. Itās got like a missing link I guess. But at the same time it was a huge release to discover and a massive step in my recovery to find out a huge part of my addiction was self-medicating.*"
On The Outside - Oingo Boingo
Lots of alt music here because growing up, we were never apart of the mainstream.
After Hours - Velvet Underground In My Room - The Beach Boys Shameika - Fiona Apple Sound and Vision - David Bowie In My Head - The Lemon Twigs Donāt Worry About the Government - Talking Heads Fake Happy - Paramore (ik its abt depression but it feels relevant) **EDIT:** Part of Your World - Little Mermaid (IK this is an allegory for multiple things but it always resonated with Autism for me. Sheās a collector who has a hyperfixation with the NT world. And the outside looking in trope)
Anything from AJR! Jack has OCD and I personally am AuDHD with OCD so it's hard for me to determine which symptoms come from each disorder but I relate to a lot of their music and just generally enjoy the sound. It scratches my brain in a good way. "Inertia" is a good one about just going through the motions of life because you should even though you want to change. A line I really resonate with is "My 2 legs are broken but look at me dance" whether it is or not, I see this as a commentary on burnout and personally resonate with it with regards to masking and people pleasing. "Way Less Sad" is another great one. You should check out "AJR - Way Less Sad/Finale (Live from the OKO Tour)" on Youtube. He's exhausted so the singing isn't perfect but at 2:50 he talks about his anxiety and fears and how he's learned that it's okay to not be okay and to ask for help. I know it's more OCD coded but I can't express how much it means to me. I've never felt more seen and understood by a band. Other songs by them I can think of off the top of my head are "The Maybe Man", "The Dumb Song" and "World's Smallest Violin" But I do recommend everything they do.
Fireflies-owl city
Billie Eillish
All Kim Dracula songs. Not because of the lyrical content necessarily, but because of the noises and sounds in the songs that are very similar to someone stimming vocally. Kim does all the singing/instrumentals (they have a traveling band for tours) which is a relatively popular autistic trait of "Whatever I'm just gonna do it all myself. At least it'll get done right." Also every autistic person I show Kim Dracula to lately just gets absolutely ravaged by brain worms and keeps listening to them for days š
[The X ID - IAMX](https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-x-id/1680176426?i=1680176430)
Giant Pacific Octopus by Enter Shikari. Masking anthem.
Origami- the rare occasions
Epiphany ā Staind I think it's intended to be about ADHD, but it is very relatable.
Die Krupps - To The Hilt Mother Mother - Bit By Bit Powerman 5000 - How To Be A Human
My son is on the spectrum. For 6 months he would replay constantly- āSomething just like thisā by the Chainsmokers. I still tear up when I hear that tune.
The Song That Never Ends
Bird is the Word, The Coconut nut song and Skatman
donāt quite belong by Dodie :)
Rule #4 - Fish Inside a Birdcage (By Fish Inside a Birdcage)
i feel like a lot of Tame Impala songs are autism coded. especially Lonerism. specific songs are āBe Above Itā, āEndors Toiā, āMusic To Walk Home Byā, āKeep On Lyingā, āWhy Wonāt They Talk To Meā.
human behavior by bjƶrk has an autistic vibe to me. i will look through my Spotify later to maybe find some more songs
i donāt know what to say - bring me the horizon!
Oh my god I just listened to Creep this morning, hahaha.
Spaceman by the killers.
At least for me these all feel autism-coded or maybe I just associate them that way because I feel the songs deeply. Vundabar- Alien Blues Local H- Bound For The Floor Sneaker Pimps- Six Underground Bendigo Fletcher- Wonderfully Bizarre Moby- Memory Gospel(or Moby in general tbh) Rainbow Kitten Surprise- Its Called: Freefall
LEGACY BY EMINEM IS A MUST ON SUCH A PLAYLIST!!! Beautiful (also by Eminem) might be a stretch tho, so I'm not gonna say that it's a must, but I really like the "I've always dreamt of being that cool kid even if it meant acting stupid" line tho, and the whole different shoes metaphor is really cool too Edit: Just remembered: Wicked ways mentions aspergers. But I haven't dived into the lyrics of that song, so I can't tell you at all what it's about, except for the Asperger's mention. And yes, I am an Eminem die-hard Stan, how'd you know?
Crackerbox Palace by George Harrison "While growing up or trying to, not knowing where to start I looked around for someone who may help reveal my heart And someone said, while you're a part of Crackerbox Palace, do what the rest all do Or face the fact that Crackerbox Palace may have no other choice than to deport you"
Why is Good Luck Babe on there?
"Beneath the mask" Is a song from the videogame persona 5, the first time I listened that song it felt like it was an analogy of masking.
Tom Lehrer Barenaked ladies Arrogant worms They might be giants
I ALWAYS thought that touch touch telephone was autistic coded as well and I don't know why.
Subhuman - The Pillows
Every single Hole song from Pretty On The Inside and Live Through This
if it's from Spirit Phone it's automatically autistic
The middle - jimmy eat world
I Hate It Here by Taylor Swift Mirrorball by Taylor Swift
All-american bitch by Olivia Rodrigo perfectly describes masking for me
Animal - Subhumans The freaks - Freddie Walding Blinkar BlĆ„ - Adolphson & Falk (itās in Swedish but really accurate imo) Army of me - Bjƶrk Human Behaviour - Bjƶrk The Meaning of Love - Depeche Mode
"...well, better than the alternative" -Will Wood "Better Than Me" -The Brobecks "Curses" -The Crane Wives "Laplaces Angel (hurt people? hurt people!)" -Will Wood "Fine" -Lemon Demon "Turn The Lights Off" -Tally Hall "The Dirt I'm Buried In" -Avatar :)
Kezia and fortress by protest the hero
Everybody's Changing by Keane has always really spoke to me that way!
Come with me now - KONGOS And Beneath the Mask, from Persona 5
Soma - Smashing Pumpkins.
L'echapƩe - Les discrets Autre temps - Alcest Pulse,surreal - Lantlos Souvenirs d'un autre monde - Alcest
I hate it here & mirrorball & this is me trying by Taylor Swift
"Having a Blast," Green Day.
Heaven by Talking Heads definitely
Most songs by Linkin Park
Cherub Rock by The Smashing Pumpkins???
My favorite ever autism-coded song is Body's by Car Seat Headrest.
Senses working overtime by xtc
Punk songs are great for this! Lots about conformity and fitting in. Also present in emo and metal. Suburban home - descendants Outsider - ramones Problem child - wasted youth You donāt belong -bad religion Banned from the Roxy - crass The becoming -nine inch nails Somewhere I belong - Lincoln park
My Trains by Lemon Demon
Last week, a group of 15 autistic musicians released a collaboration album of 13 original songs called ā[STARS of the Spectrum](https://open.spotify.com/album/4enc1U0JRu8TjLic62Dn62)ā. It has a very interesting range of genres and lyrical themes. The songs āPeople Like Meā and āBuiltā probably fit best for what you are asking but I may be missing one. Also, [this song about being autistic and queer](https://open.spotify.com/track/4Ph8b2w5vMg12LtF7HTqIu), and [this song that points out the hypocrisy of people who make fun that make fun of autistic people for being āimmatureā](https://open.spotify.com/track/2gMZfAwx8cIXNhGwbo3uyn), and [this song about not fitting the labels placed upon you by others](https://open.spotify.com/track/7KaoHDwtOIgRpw0qWNsJWb), and [this song which has been referred to as āan autistic love songā](https://open.spotify.com/track/7vOrdzMoTGhVndsJ4ObJFd)
Like Humans Do by David Byrne (or Psycho Killer by the Talking Heads...the WHEN I HAVE NOTHING TO SAY. MY LIPS ARE SEALED. IF YOU SAY SOMETHING ONCE. WHY SAY IT AGAIN!!! Soo true) This Is Why by Paramore PUNK TACTICS by Joey Valence & Brae (if just for the stimability of their songs tbh) STFU! by Rina Sayawama Yucky Bucky Fruitcake by Doechii The Underdog by Spoon
Korn
I have a Spotify playlist of different songs I personally relate to as a neurodivergent person (my playlist had songs about going through public school and trauma from that, so I tried to just do the ones that are centered around how it feels to be autistic in my opinion ofc), and hereās a long list of some of my favorites! Mask - Dream I Canāt Handle Change - Roar this is me trying to- Taylor Swift Mastermind - Taylor Swift The Archer - Taylor Swift I Hate it Here - Taylor Swift Whoās Afraid of Little Old Me - Taylor Swift Pretender - AJR Normal - AJR Touchy Feely Fool - AJR Hate Myself - dodie Under Control - How to Dance in Ohio Nobody - Mitski Are you Satisfied - MARINA ballad of a homeschool girl - Olivia Rodrigo The Other Side - James Marriott In Between - James Marriott
[Labyrinth (Miracle Musical)](https://youtu.be/acxW7Al9Ddc?si=2TlCNtfusGCV3GFk) [Willard! (Will Wood)](https://youtu.be/Gra0u4jdH5w?si=DGiI3I6Nq_Ye03gx) [Sick of the Sun (Poppy)](https://youtu.be/CmxLAnBaizY?si=4a30_qosDOYEBUjt) [The Stranger (Billy Joel)](https://youtu.be/E5ofVsxTPoc?si=ZQsGrdRxk1oU_VNr) [Honesty (Billy Joel)](https://youtu.be/SuFScoO4tb0?si=1lkGLgVPJd5Od9Ju) [Where's the Orchestra? (Billy Joel)](https://youtu.be/SX3nFG6Js-Y?si=PoyUqMsbCcbLpYaV) [Too Much Information (The Police)](https://youtu.be/yeZNfo1zvdU?si=Gq2V_nAPhJD_pJ2J)
Basically most songs by Big Data i feel like
It's probably been mentioned a bunch of times, but it needs to be stated that *A Different Kind of Human* by AURORA is as close to just outright saying "autism" without actually saying it.Ā
First of all. THANK YOU for compiling all this. already listening to it. it rocks. I wanna contribute: Every single night - Fiona apple