In today’s world, it’s easy to be caught up in the thrill of social media. Whether you’re looking for more online followers or feeling the rush of having a post receive a lot of likes, social media sites can often control so much of what we do. But have you ever thought about how social media can make you feel — in negative and positive ways?
If you’re looking for a way to process these tricky feelings, the 20 songs about social media below are here to help. These songs express emotions such as loneliness, jealousy, and fear when it comes to interacting on social media. As a result, these songs capture both the highs and lows of online life!
1. “Jealousy, Jealousy” by Olivia Rodrigo
“Jealousy, Jealousy” by Olivia Rodrigo is a great song that talks about both social media and mental health. In this pop song, Rodrigo explains how she feels jealous of all of the seemingly perfect people on her social media feed. She compares herself to them and feels unworthy, as a result.
“Jealousy, Jealousy” challenges the competition and unrealistic beauty standards that society imposes on young women through social media.
Rodrigo knows that she shouldn’t compare herself to these people. However, that’s a lot easier said than done. She sings the lyrics, “Their win is not my loss / I know it’s true, but / I can’t help gettin’ caught up in it all.”
2. “Drinkin’ Too Much” by Sam Hunt
“Drinkin’ Too Much” by Sam Hunt also discusses social media influence. This 2017 song was written as an apology to his ex. As a result, Hunt discusses his flaws and what he did wrong, including his struggles with alcohol and social media.
In the first verse of the song, Hunt sings about how his ex gained a lot of unwanted attention online because of their connection to him. He explains, “And I’m sorry people know your name now / And strangers hit you up on social media.”
3. “Irregular Heartbeat” by 50 Cent
50 Cent’s 2014 song “Irregular Heartbeat” is one of the best rap songs that discuss social media. This song is seemingly targeted against people who try to go up against 50 Cent in different ways. He calls them out and says that they aren’t strong enough to go against him.
Through this meaning, he mentions how these types of people will always act big and tough online — but they aren’t strong enough to say these things to his face. He raps, “Social media is giving cowards an outlet / See him in person, say something, I doubt that.”
4. “Wannabe” by Logic
Logic’s 2019 song “Wannabe”, which appears on his album Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, details Logic’s difficulty with fame and how he still strives to be famous, even though he understands some of the flaws and difficulties of fame.
He also discusses social media. Logic states that social media feels like a “contest” that many people don’t win at. He explains by saying, “If I ain’t winnin’ then I am depressed / And I feel less than, I get stressed then.”
5. “Erase Your Social” by Lil Uzi Vert
Lil Uzi Vert’s “Erase Your Social” follows the rapper as he details some issues he’s had with friends, as well as with social media. He explains that many people slept on him in the past, not thinking he’d become anything.
However, now that he’s famous, so many people want his social media information to hit him up. He discusses Snapchat, Twitter, and Instagram as he talks about these people wanting to now be friends with him.
6. “Dear Society” by Madison Beer
Madison Beer has said in the past that her 2019 song “Dear Society” is explicitly about social media and how society (through social media) can harm many people’s views of themselves, as well as others.
Throughout the song, she discusses how society has made her into something she doesn’t want to be. She also talks about social media addiction. At the beginning of the song, she discusses this addiction, singing the lyrics, “Sleepless nights and cigarettes / My daily dose of internet / And all the things I shoulda quit, but never did.”
7. “selfie#theinternetisforever” by Brad Paisley
In the 2017 song “selfie#theinternetisforever”, Brad Paisley makes fun of people who are obsessed with their phones, social media, and taking pictures of themselves. Throughout the song, Paisley discusses moments when people shouldn’t be taking selfies… yet that’s exactly what they’re doing.
Now, Paisley says that not all selfies are bad. For example, if you meet Ringo Starr or go to the Grand Canyon, he encourages people to take photos! However, if you’re at your grandmother’s funeral, you should really try to avoid taking a selfie.
8. “The Man Who Married a Robot/Love Theme” by The 1975
The 1975’s 2018 song “The Man Who Married a Robot/Love Theme”, which appears on the band’s album A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships, tells a story about a man online who falls in love with the internet. The song consists of a poem read by Siri, a robot voice.
Throughout this song, we learn about this man online, what his social media username is, and how lonely he feels all the time — until he falls in love with the internet, that is.
9. “Selfies” by Nina Nesbitt
“Selfies” by Nina Nesbitt, released in 2014, follows Nesbitt as she discusses why she posts selfies on social media. At the beginning of the song, she explains that she’s trying to get back at an ex and get attention from him.
However, as the song progresses, her explanations can be seen as why many people post selfies in the first place. She sings, “I guess I’m reaching out to be assured / All I wanted was to be adored.”
10. “#SELFIE” by The Chainsmokers
The Chainsmokers’ 2014 song “#SELFIE” also discusses people taking photos of themselves and posting them on social media! The entire song follows a woman out at a club for the night, discussing her lifestyle, her presence online, and when she’s going to take a selfie.
11. “Internet” by Post Malone
“Internet” by Post Malone discusses the anger and distrust that the singer-rapper has towards social media. Malone talks about flirting with women on the internet, yet also how you can’t trust the internet. He hints that women he’s been interested in, in the past, have gone online to talk about him — something he doesn’t care for, as he wants privacy.
12. “Baby, I’m Jealous” by Bebe Rexha
“Baby, I’m Jealous” by Bebe Rexha, featuring Doja Cat, talks about relationship struggles that occur because of social media, specifically Instagram. Rexha explains that she began to feel angry and insecure when she learned that her boyfriend was liking other women’s photos online.
As a result of seeing this, she feels very jealous. She sings, “Baby, I’m jealous / Of the pictures that you like.”
13. “In My Feelings” by Drake
Drake’s 2018 song “In My Feelings” follows the singer-rapper as he sings to a girl he is falling in love with. Drake questions whether or not this woman loves him back throughout the entire song. Now, social media doesn’t play a huge role in this song — but the ending voiceover from the TV show Atlanta could hint that the entire song does revolve around social media.
At the end of the song, we hear someone say, “I don’t even care, I need a photo with Drake / Because my Instagram is weak.” This could just be a way to end the song. However, it could also hint that the entire song above dealt with a woman Drake was falling for — even though she just wanted to be able to say she met or knew Drake on her social media.
14. “If You’re Too Shy (Let Me Know)” by The 1975
The 1975’s “If You’re Too Shy (Let Me Know)” is yet another song from the band that talks about the internet and social media. Throughout this song, the band discusses how they have fallen in love with a woman online. The only time they see her is when she’s online, as this is a fully online relationship.
15. “New Man” by Ed Sheeran
“New Man” by Ed Sheeran, released in 2017, also discusses social media and its relation to romantic relationships. Sheeran sings about his ex-girlfriend who has seemingly moved on already with a “New Man” — a man that Sheeran doesn’t necessarily believe is right for her.
Sheeran explains that he hopes his ex is happy with this man he doesn’t approve of. However, he can’t help but still go online to her social media profiles to see what she’s up to.
He sings the lyrics, “Still lookin’ at your Instagram and I’ll be creepin’ a lil’ / I’ll be tryin’ not to double tap, from way back / ‘Cause I know that’s where the trouble’s at.”
16. “Scare Away the Dark” by Passenger
Passenger’s 2014 song “Scare Away the Dark” pushes people to live their lives to the fullest — even if that means they spend less time online. The band sings that we should all try to live a little bit better, out in the world. Instead, the band notices that many people stay inside and don’t really live their lives.
They sing, “Well, we wish we were happier, thinner and fitter / We wish we weren’t losers and liars and quitters / We want something more not just nasty and bitter / We want something real not just hash tags and Twitter.”
17. “So Far Away” by Charli XCX
“So Far Away” by Charli XCX details the end of a romantic relationship. Charli XCX explains that this relationship has ended terribly, which has made her very upset. She thinks back on their relationship — including how they first met online through social media.
She sings the lyrics, “Before the moment we met, we were chatting on the internet / Getting kinda close through the posts that we were looking at.”
18. “New Friend Request” by Gym Class Heroes
Let’s take it back to the good old days of Myspace. “New Friend Request” by Gym Class Heroes, released in 2006, opens with the lines, “I remember when I first laid eyes on you / My man Tom introduced us but I was too shy to say hi / When I finally built up enough nerve to drop a line / You made it clear you wasn’t just a MySpace mistress.”
The rest of the song follows the singer as he explains that this woman doesn’t accept his friend request — even though he really wants her to. He waits days and weeks for this to happen, even though she continues to ignore him online.
19. “Simple” by Florida Georgia Line
Florida Georgia Line’s “Simple” follows a romantic relationship that is healthy and still going strong. The singer explains that before he met his partner, he lived a much different life and scrolled through Instagram, worrying all the time.
The band sings, “We used to live on Instagram / Worry ’bout who all gives a damn / ‘Bout where we’ve been and where we ended up.”
20. “Life Changes” by Thomas Rhett
And now, for the last song on our list! “Life Changes” by Thomas Rhett, first released in 2017, also discusses social media. The song details Rhett’s life and how so much has changed in the past few years for him, especially when it comes to his music career and his success.
He also talks about marrying his girlfriend and her social media status. He sings, “And now she got her own set of fans / She got a blue check mark by her Instagram.”