Bipolar Lyrics: Regardless of your preferred musical genre, musicians have a unique ability to connect with our innermost selves.

As with any other mental health experience, this is true for the turbulence of bipolar disorder.

What is Bipolar Disorder?

For this reason, we asked members of our bipolar disorder and mental health community for the songs that best reflect their experiences with the illness. Although some of their selections address the bipolar experience and mental health directly, many do not.

The ability of music to communicate with us in ways that the original musicians may not have intended is its power. We hope that the following tracks will help you connect, whether you have bipolar disorder or know someone who does.

This Is What Our Community Had to Say:

1. The Dresden Dolls’ “Girl Anachronism”

“It perfectly portrays my bipolar II disorder, what it’s like to live with it, and how people view you, from the lyrics to the frantic beat of the music.” — Heather F.

2. Korn’s “Falling Away From Me”

“During my depressive episodes, it appears that I am able to articulate all of my emotions, thoughts, and deeds, which allows me to express my current condition. “It helps my spouse understand what’s going on with me and my head right now,” Samantha W. said.

3. Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here”

“The song is about the absence of another band member because of drug use and mental illness. The lack of my own emotional and mental well-being is what causes me to experience this. I lose control of my life when I don’t have the right prescription.

I prioritize my well-being behind other aspects of my life and sabotage the positive ones. I can see what I’m doing, but I can’t stop myself because I’m always one step ahead in my mind, thinking that this next thing I do will pull me out of debt, depression, mania, or self-hatred.

No, it doesn’t. ‘We’re just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl, year after year,’ the lyrics read. I wear myself out, wear myself down, waste away, and lose sight of my mental well-being as I go around and around.

4. Linkin Park’s “Papercut”

“Depending on how it feels when it comes to the surface, I will fall into one end of the spectrum or the other, because I always feel like there is a darker side that lies beneath my skin.” This aspect is perfectly described by the word “papercut.” Following my first suicide attempt, I was diagnosed at the age of 16, and I’ve always thought of “Hybrid Theory” as my own personal soundtrack. — Hope G.

5. “Manic” by Coleman Hell

The statement, “When I feel crazy, I hide it and fall apart in private,” truly resonates with me, even if it is about having bipolar disorder. People told me that I didn’t seem bipolar when I began to share my diagnosis with them, and some even didn’t believe me, claiming they would have known if I were ‘that crazy.’

I suppose it just proves how well I can pretend that everything is alright. When I don’t have everything together, it makes me feel like I can stop trying to pretend that I do. — Emily M.

6. The Panic! At The Disco song “This Is Gospel”

“I believe it depicts my struggle with my demons and my battle with taking and adhering to my prescription. Kaitlin H.: “I’m happy to state that I’ve been consistently taking my medicine for the past three years, eight months, and one week. It’s my favorite song.”

7. The song “Primadonna Girl” by Marina and the Diamonds

“I relate to it since the song would remind me of my invincibility and ability to seduce, but despite feeling invincible for a certain period of time, I would then find myself drowning in utter sadness and misery.” — Veniz P.

8. “Half” by PVRIS

“The whole song discusses what it’s like to be live on both ends of the spectrum—experiencing mania and depression—and how it feels to be out of control,” Katie S. says.

9. Scissor Sisters’ “I Don’t Feel Like Dancin'”

“I adore the Scissor Sisters’ song ‘I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’.’ It reminds me of my hypomania. Just as I have no option but to dance when the music starts, I feel it, but I don’t want it, and I have little choice.

10. Pierce The Veil’s “A Match Into Water”

“I really identify with the song’s line, ‘The chemicals will bring me home again.’ Chemical imbalances cause my condition. I feel so out of place and unfamiliar with everything and everyone when my mood drops. Therefore, the chemicals in my brain will physically bring me back home. Moreover, I’ve dealt with self-harm for years, and the song is about that.

11. From Wicked, “Defying Gravity”

When I’m in a manic state, it completely captures the euphoria I’m experiencing, particularly when she sings, “Too late for second-guessing, too late to go back to sleep,” and “Kiss me goodbye, I’m defying gravity. And you can’t bring me down.” I have a tendency to be very impulsive and throw myself headfirst into everything.

I never sleep; I’ll go for days and feel absolutely invincible. I feel like nothing or no one can bring me down from the high. Meghan G. stated, “I genuinely feel like I can overcome gravity—that I am unstoppable and I am flying.”

12. Glen Campbell’s “Try a Little Kindness”

“Acts of kindness have prevented me from harm while I’ve been in a suicidal frame of mind and have given me the courage to seek the assistance I’ve required. Similarly, I have been able to assist a few friends who have been in need of help. — Glen C.