Songs About Identity, Acceptance, and Personal Growth
published February 27, 2025
by Catharine Hannay, founder of MindfulTeachers.org
Continuing with the popular series of Song Playlists for Teachers, here are a variety of perspectives on embracing our identities, gaining wisdom and supporting each other.
Please read the lyrics and watch the full video before deciding what’s appropriate to share with your students/clients/trainees. (I’ve included brief descriptions to help you choose, but with a diverse international audience teaching young children through adults, I can’t guarantee that everything will be appropriate for your particular context.)
Asian Youth/Culture Crossover, Alien Kulture
‘Asian Youth lyrics’; ‘Culture Crossover’ lyrics; audio
Two punk songs about feeling caught between their elders and the world of their peers.
All American Queen, Ben Platt
lyrics; video of performance (with lyrics)
Pop/folk song about all-American boy who takes another boy to the prom.
Demure, Vanisha Gould
audio (lyrics not available)
Jazz song (ironically) advising women to stay small and always keep smiling.
I Like the Things About Me, Mavis Staples
lyrics; audio; video of live performance
Gospel/soul/blues song about self-acceptance, by a performer who was born in 1939.
That I Would Be Good, Alanis Morisette
lyrics; audio; cover by Mariana Rios
Pop/folk song about wanting to be loved and accepted without having to prove anything
To Be a Man, Dax
lyrics; video (featuring Darius Rucker)
Country song about the challenges of trying to be a decent man without being able to express how he’s feeling.
What I Cannot Change, LeeAnnRimes
lyrics; audio; performance with the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles.
Country song about accepting ourselves as we are while changing what we can.
Young and Crazy, Frankie Ballard
lyrics; audio; video of live performance
Country song asking how he can ever be older and wiser if he never makes any youthful mistakes.
Yuve Yuve Yu, The Hu
“Hunnu rock” (Mongolian folk metal) song about feeling proud of their heritage and not understanding why young people tend to ignore the traditions and wisdom of their ancestors. (song is in Mongolian with English subtitles—click on ‘CC’ for captions)
Related Posts
There are many more song playlists and resources for teaching compassion, self-acceptance and resilience here at MindfulTeachers.org
How Growth Mindset Complements Mindfulness: Q+A with Mary Cay Ricci
Self-Awareness and Self-Acceptance: Quotations for Reflection and Discussion