113 Songs About Psychology
FlourishAnyway believes there is a playlist for just about any situation and is on a mission to unite and entertain the world through song.
If you are a psychologist like I am or simply love the field and study of psychology, then this playlist is for you. Make a psychology playlist of songs about psychological concepts.
Tim Sheerman-Chase via Flickr, CC-BY-SA 2.0, modified by FlourishAnyway
Mixing Music and Psychology: What Could Be Better?
I have loved the field of psychology—the study of mind and behavior—since I was a precocious 8-year-old with my own subscription to Psychology Today. Eventually, I became a psychologist myself so I could live the dream.
Psychology abounds in the music we listen to, the media that surrounds us, and our everyday lives. As you listen to popular songs, challenge yourself by noting its references to topics in psychology. Or if you teach the subject like I did in graduate school, consider using music to
- introduce concepts before class or transition between topics
- illustrate concepts and
- build an awareness of psychological constructs all around us.
To get you started, here's a playlist of pop, rock, and country songs. Truly, the only thing more enjoyable than psychology is adding music to it!
"Don't be a novelist -- be a statistician. Much more scope for the imagination." - Darrell Huff, American writer
DariuszSankowski via Pixabay, Free Domain
Yep, Psychology Uses the Scientific Method
Hell yeah, psychology is real science so stop calling it "soft" or a "pseudoscience". We use the scientific method with experiments and data collection, statistics and meta-analyses. We measure, analyze, and summarize relationships among intangibles like human emotions and attitudes rather than simple things you can pick up or measure with a ruler. Now if that's not difficult, then what is?
Start things off on this playlist with some songs that give a nod to research methods.
1. "Respect" by Aretha Franklin (1967)
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Find out what it means to me.
For all those who chemists, physicians, and engineers who think psychology is just fluffy stuff, remind 'em with this song that hey, psychology is science too. Just because we're not using test tubes and microscopes doesn't mean we don't have research design and statistics nailed. Sing it, Aretha!
| Title & Year Released | Artist | Psychology Topic |
|---|---|---|
2. She Blinded Me With Science (1982) | Thomas Dolby | research methods |
3. Chances Are (1957) | Johnny Mathis | statistics |
4. Take a Chance on Me (1978) | ABBA | statistics |
5. "Love on the Brain" by Rihanna (2016)
This gal's limbic system is in overdrive. (The limbic system is a collection of brain structures important to sexual and endocrine function, behavior, the sense of smell, memory, and other key functions.)
In this sexy pop song, Rihanna is "fist fighting with fire," and she's got love on the brain. Even her choice of partners may be explicable with genetics, but where's the romance in that?
| Title & Year Released | Artist | Psychology Topic |
|---|---|---|
6. If You Could Read My Mind (1970) | Gordon Lightfoot | biopsychology |
7. You Were Always on My Mind (1980) | Willie Nelson | biopsychology |
8. Crash Course in Brain Surgery (1987) | Metallica | biopsychology |
9. Brain (2014) | Banks | biopsychology |
10. This Ain't No Thinkin' Thing (1997) | Trace Adkins | hemispheric lateralization |
11. This Is Your Brain (1997) | Joe Diffie | biopsychology |
12. If I Only Had a Brain (1939) | Ray Bolger | biopsychology |
Phrenology was a 18th and 19th century theory of personality that is now discredited. However, it contributed to modern science the idea that different parts of the brain are responsible for different processes (behaviors, thoughts, emotions).
(C) FlourishAnyway
13. "I Can See Clearly Now" by Johnny Nash (1972)
Think of this reggae-influenced pop song as a sensation and perception classic. Now that the rain has lifted, the narrator is really stoked that his eyes see clearly. It's now a bright and sunshiny day. He's even more excited that his pain has gone. Who wouldn't love that?
| Title & Year Released | Artist | Psychology Topic |
|---|---|---|
14. Pain (2002) | Johnny Cash | pain |
15. Hot Hot Hot (1987) | Buster Poindexter and the Banshees | temperature |
16. Doctor My Eyes (1971) | Jackson Browne | vision |
17. Hurts So Good (1982) | John Cougar Mellencamp | pain |
18. Hear Me (2004) | Kelly Clarkson | hearing |
19. Love Hurts (1974) | Nazareth | pain |
20. Private Eyes (1981) | Hall & Oates | vision |
21. Listen (2006) | Beyoncé | hearing |
22. Just an Illusion (2006) | Imagination | illusions |
23. Perfect Illusion (2016) | Lady Gaga | illusions |
24. "Can't Feel My Face" by The Weeknd (2015)
Somebody pinch this guy because his face has gone numb. Better yet, let's just get him into rehab because he's so high he's addressing his cocaine as if it's a lover. Drugs can induce an altered state of consciousness but so can dreaming, hypnosis, meditation, illness, and other experiences.
25. "Dream" by Imagine Dragons (2015)
The narrator in this alternative rock song is feeling solemn. He contemplates alternate states of consciousness as he wonders whether we're really just living in a dream:
We all are living in a dream,
But life ain’t what it seems.
Oh, everything’s a mess
And all these sorrows I have seen
They lead me to believe
That everything’s a mess.
Looking for more songs about dreaming? You could make a playlist out of dreaming songs alone.
| Title & Year Released | Artist | Psychology Topic |
|---|---|---|
26. Dreamweaver (1975) | Gary Wright | dreaming |
27. Comfortably Numb (1980) | Pink Floyd | consciousness |
28. Puff the Magic Dragon (1963) | Peter, Paul & Mary | consciousness |
29. Voices (2000) | Disturbed | hallucinations |
30. All I Have to Do Is Dream (1970) | The Everly Brothers | dreaming |
31. "You Learn" by Alanis Morissette (1996)
There's a whole lot of learning going on in this gal's life. Actually, each of us is continually learning whether through classical conditioning, operant conditioning, or observation. The narrator of this rock song describes memorable albeit unconventional methods which have taught her what she knows today.
| Title & Year Released | Artist | Psychology Topic(s) |
|---|---|---|
31. Dinner Bell (1992) | They Might Be Giants | classical conditioning |
32. Need a Little TIme Off for Bad Behavior (2014) | Whiskey Myers | learning |
33. Brian Wilson (1992) | Barenaked Ladies | learning, mental illness & therapy |
34. Ring My Bell (1979) | Anita Ward | learning |
35. "(What a) Wonderful World" by Sam Cooke (1960)
The fellow in this classic pop song claims to know very little intellectually. He admits knowing next to nothing about
- history
- biology
- French
- geography
- trigonometry or
- algebra.
However, what he lacks in such knowledge, he more than makes up for in the arena of romance. Perhaps he's a proponent of the Theory of Multiple Intelligences?
| Song & Year Released | Artist | Psychology Topic |
|---|---|---|
36. I Will Remember You (1995) | Sarah McLachlan | memory |
37. The First Word in Memory Is Me (1985) | Janie Frickie | memory |
38. If Drinking Don't Kill Me Her Memory Will (1981) | George Jones | memory |
39. Mayor of Simpleton (1989) | XTC | intelligence |
40. Smarter Than You (1979) | The Undertones | intelligence |
41. (There's) Always Something There to Remind Me (1983) | Naked Eyes | memory |
42. "Happy" by Pharrell Williams (2013)
There's nothing complicated about the way Pharrell Williams feels in this chipper pop song. He just can't help but invite you to clap along with him.
The nature of emotions, however, isn't the same as it once was believed to be. For decades, the most prominent theory of emotion held that there are six basic emotions that exist cross-culturally, each "hard-wired" by evolution: anger, disgust, fear, happiness, sadness, and surprise.
More recently, however, new research has suggested that humans are even more basic than that. Because fear and surprise may be indistinguishable at basic levels and disgust and anger share a "danger" element, there may be only four basic emotions.
Either way, the happiness that Pharrell Williams is feeling is one of them. For songs about other emotions, check out the table below or the playlist of songs about feeling sad and crying.
43. "The Man I Want to Be" by Chris Young (2009)
The man in this country song has disappointed the woman he loves. In his weakest moment, he expresses his motivation to become a better person so that he can get his needs for affection and unconditional love met.
| Song & Year Released | Artist | Psychology Topic |
|---|---|---|
44. I Wanna Hold Your Hand (1964) | The Beatles | motivation |
45. You Can't Always Get What You Want (1969) | The Rolling Stones | motivation |
46. What a Girl Wants (1999) | Christina Aguilera | motivation |
47. I Wanna Be Rich (1989) | Calloway | motivation |
48 Any Way You Want It (1979) | Journey | motivation |
49. Sweet Emotion (1975) | Aerosmith | emotion |
50. I Gotta Feeling (2009) | The Black Eyed Peas | emotion |
51. Angry All the Time (2001) | Tim McGraw | emotion |
52. Feelings (1974) | Morris Albert | emotion |
53. More Than a Feeling (1976) | Boston | emotion |
54. Second That Emotion (1967) | Smokey Robinson | emotion |
55. Pressure (1981) | Queen | stress |
56. Pressure (1982) | Billy Joel | stress |
57. Stressed Out (2015) | Twenty One Pilots | stress |
58. "Ironic" by Alanis Morissette (1995)
Some might call the narrator in this rock tune a Negative Nellie while others might say that she is engaged in counterfactual thinking. That's the human tendency to think of possible alternatives to life events in retrospect -- in other words the "mighta beens."
| Song & Year Released | Artist | Psychology Topic |
|---|---|---|
59. Love the One You're With (1994) | Luther Vandross | cognitive dissonance |
60. Should I Stay or Should I Go? (1982) | The Clash | cognitive dissonance |
61. Blame It On the Rain (1989) | Milli Vanilli | attributions |
62. Blame (2014) | Calvin Harris (featuring John Newman) | attributions |
63. "Personality" by Lloyd Price (1959)
Forget about looks. This guy is in love with his lady friend's personality, the distinctive patterns of thinking, feeling, and behavior that make her special. He celebrates the charm, charisma, and essence of her individual differences, and he's so enthralled with her that he's willing to make a fool of himself to prove his love.
| Song & Year Released | Artist | Psychology Topic |
|---|---|---|
64. I Want Your Sex (1987) | George Michael | Freud |
65. I Touch Myself (1991) | Divinyls | Freud |
66. Shiny Happy People (1991) | R.E.M. | personality |
67. I Wanna Talk About Me (2001) | Toby Keith | personality |
68. "Kerosene" by Miranda Lambert (2005)
In this country ditty, Miranda Lambert's character is making some very bad choices. She's been cheated on by her lover and decides to enact revenge by lighting ablaze a trail of kerosene:
Now I don't hate the one who left
You can't hate someone who's dead.
He's out there holding on to someone, I'm holding up my smoking gun.
Something tells me she won't feel too sorry about the consequences of her action. If you're looking for other music to illustrate psychopathology, there are plenty of songs about being crazy as well as songs about substance abuse. Just for fun, play the armchair psychologist and try to figure out what's going on with the narrator in popular songs.
| Song & Year Released | Artist | Psychology Topic |
|---|---|---|
69. Crazy (1961) | Patsy Cline | psychopathology |
70.Schizophrenia (1987) | Sonic Youth | schizophrenia |
71. They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha Haaa! (1967) | Napoleon XIV | psychopathology |
72. Crazy Train (1980) | Ozzy Osbourne | psychopathology |
73. Obsession (1980) | Animotion | obsession |
74. Basket Case (1994) | Green Day | psychopathology |
75. You May Be Right (1980) | Billy Joel | psychopathology |
76. Somebody's Watching Me (1984) | Rockwell | paranoia |
77. Two Pina Coladas (1997) | Garth Brooks | alcohol use disorder |
78. Jumper (1998) | Third Eye Blind | suicide |
Psychopathology abounds in our world. You don't have to look far for evidence of it. Suicide prevention phone numbers are posted and call boxes are provided on the Benjamin Franklin Bridge in Philadelphia to provide a deterrent to would-be jumpers.
(C) FlourishAnyway
76. "Cat's in the Cradle" by Harry Chapin (1974)
From infancy through childhood and adulthood, this classic pop song describes a disjointed and distant relationship between a son and his father. Feeling role conflict, the father consistently prioritized work over family during the son's youth. Sadly, the young man learned to emulate the pattern of relational detachment in his own life.
There are lots of thoughtful songs about aging and growing older that are useful to reflect upon.
| Song & Year Released | Artist | Psychology Topic |
|---|---|---|
77. Daughters (2003) | John Mayer | child development |
78. The Greatest Man I Never Knew (1992) | Reba McEntire | attachment styles |
79. Somebody's Hero (2005) | Jamie O'Neal | parenting styles |
80. For You (2001) | Staind | parenting styles |
81. Mama Tried (1968) | Merle Haggard | parenting styles |
82. "Who I Am" by Jessica Andrews (2000)
Who are you? We each have a personal identity as well as social and collective identities which help define how we construct ourselves. In this heartwarming country song, the narrator defines many of the roles that she fulfills in life and describes important characteristics of her self-identity:
I am Rosemary's granddaughter
The spitting image of my father
And when the day is done
My momma's still my biggest fan
Sometimes I'm clueless and I'm clumsy
But I've got friends who love me
And they know just where I stand
It's all a part of me
And that's who I am.
83. "It's Different for Girls" by Dierks Bently (featuring Elle King) (2016)
Ah, gender roles. When heartbreak happens, women cry while men sleep around and get angry. That's the point of this country song: men and women tend to handle break-ups differently. So what do you think?
| Song & Year Released | Artist | Psychology Topic |
|---|---|---|
84. Milgram's 37 (We Do What We're Told) (1986) | Peter Gabriel | obedience |
85. A Man Ain't Supposed to Cry (2001) | Public Announcement | gender roles |
86. Authority Song (1983) | John Cougar Mellencamp | obedience |
87. Lola (1970) | The Kinks | gender identity |
88. B*tch (Nothing In Between) (1997) | Meredith Brooks | self-identity/gender roles |
89. Androgyny (2001) | Garbage | gender identity |
90. That's What Friends Are For (1985) | Dionne Warwick | social support |
91. Short People (1977) | Randy Newman | stereotyping |
92. Dude (Looks Like a Lady) (1987) | Aerosmith | gender identity |
93. It's Not Easy Being Green (1970) | Kermit the Frog | prejudice |
94. She Keeps Me Warm (2014) | Mary Lambert | gender identity |
95. What's the Matter Here? (1987) | 10,000 Maniacs | bystander intervention |
96. She's No Lady (1987) | Lyle Lovett | marriage/roles |
97. Black or White (1991) | Michael Jackson | intergroup conflict |
98. Loser (1994) | Beck | self-esteem |
99. Stuck Like Glue (2010) | Sugarland | interpersonal attraction |
100. Sit Still, Look Pretty (2016) | Daya | conformity |
"Sometimes a cigar is only a cigar." - Sigmund Freud, Austrian neurologist and founder of psychoanalysis
Max Halberstadt via Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain, modified by FlourishAnyway
Even More Songs About Psychology, Suggested by Readers
| Song & Year Released | Artist | Psychology Topic |
|---|---|---|
101. Counting Flowers on the Wall (1965) | The Statler Brothers | abnormal psychology/institutionalization |
102. What's Up (1993) | 4 Non Blondes | abnormal psychology |
103. Dream (2008) | Priscilla Ahn | developmental psychology |
104. Human Behavior (1993) | Bjork | human behavior |
105. Habits (Stay High) (2014) | Tove Lo | substance use disorder |
106. Borders (2016) | M.I.A. | community psychology |
107. Focus (2016) | Ariana Grande | clinical psychology |
108. Big White Room (2011) | Jessie J. | abnormal psychology/institutionalization |
109. Heathens (2016) | Twentyone Pilots | abnormal psychology/institutionalization |
110. Fly Low (2016) | Datsik | biopsychology |
111. Thunder (2017) | Imagine Dragons | group behavior |
112. Echo (2016) | Pep & Rash (featuring Polina) | abnormal psychology |
113. Dark River (2016) | Sebastian Ingrosso | abnormal psychology |
Locations that Share Names with Famous Psychologists
© 2017 FlourishAnyway
Comments
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on April 11, 2020:
Peggy - Psychologists often have a dry or offbeat sense of humor. I like that she named her dog Siggy. Thanks for stopping by!
Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on April 11, 2020:
I am laughing at that quote by Sigmund Freud: "Sometimes a cigar is only a cigar." We had a good friend who was a psychologist, and she named her dog "Siggy." Ha! I knew many of these songs, but there was an even longer list of ones that I did not know. It must take you some time to create these lists of songs. Yes, you do deserve Respect! (Smile)
Robert Sacchi on June 20, 2019:
You're welcome. These lists trigger a lot of memories.
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on June 20, 2019:
Bob - That "Angie Baby" is really quite a wicked song! I put both on the playlist "songs about being crazy in love or just plain crazy." I used Tanya Tucker's "Delta Dawn" just because I'm partial to her. Thanks for the suggestions!
Robert Sacchi on June 19, 2019:
Consider "Delta Dawn" & "Angie Baby" by Hellen Reddy.
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on March 15, 2019:
Dalehas 2 - Glad you enjoy psychology like I do. Thanks for taking a moment to leave a comment.
Dalehas 2 on March 15, 2019:
Wonderful list filled with great songs & relevant information. Thank you for great research. Now to search YouTube for the songs I don't know ...
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on May 04, 2018:
Shea Gaier - Whoa, Nellie! What a list! Many thanks for these wonderful suggestions! It's going to take me a bit of time to add them, but be patient and know that I appreciate you! Have a superb weekend!
Shea Gaier on May 03, 2018:
I love all your suggestions but I will add some more. What's up by 4 non blondes (Abnormal psychology), Dream by Priscilla Ahn (Developmental Psychology), Human Behavior by Bjork (Learning and Behavior change), Man Research by Gorillaz (Research methods) Habits by Tove Lo (Health Psychology), Borders by M.I.A. ( Community Psychology), Focus by Ariana Grande (Clinical and Counseling Psychology), Big White Room by Jessie J. (Abnormal Psychology), White houses by Vanessa Carlton (Social Psychology), Smells like teen spirit by Nirvana (Developmental psychology), Citizen of the Planet by Alanis Morissette (Multicultural/ Social Psychology), Habit by Rain Man (Biopsych), Heathens by Twentyone Pilots (Abnormal Psych), Analysis of Variance by Forgotten (Research methods), Fly Low by Datsik (Biopsych), Deep End by Lexy Panterra (Abnormal Psych), Thunder by Imagine Dragons (Social Psychology), Echo by Pep and rash (Abnormal Psych), Minds without fear by Imogen Heap (Abnormal Psych), Lifeline by Imogen Heap (Abnormal Psychology), and Dark River by Sebastian Ingrosso
Robert Sacchi on March 05, 2018:
You're welcome. I'll give that list a look.
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on March 05, 2018:
Bob, Thanks for the song suggestion. I just added Lita Ford's version on the following playlist about Domestic Violence: https://hubpages.com/playlists/Songs-About-Domesti...
Robert Sacchi on March 04, 2018:
This article is both fun and informative about psychology. I was wondering if you were going to include They're Coming to Take Me Away, you did #71. Any reason you left out "Only Women Bleed" by Alice Cooper? I also enjoyed the trip down memory lane with the songs. Thank you,
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on March 03, 2018:
Natalie - I'm glad you enjoyed it. I see that you're also a psych Ph.D. Looking forward to reading your articles.
Natalie Frank from Chicago, IL on March 02, 2018:
I have never seen anyone do an article like this! Music can really change mood or augment what we are already feeling. Thanks for an interesting and fun article!
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on December 19, 2017:
Dianna - Thank you for the kind compliment. I love the subject and just had to find a way to find a way to intersect psychology and music. Have a wonderful holiday week.
Dianna Mendez on December 18, 2017:
I played "I can see clearly now" for the effect on this article. You really took this challenge on psychology songs to the top!
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on December 05, 2017:
Heidi - Thank you for stopping by. I remember Mister Rogers well and all of his imaginary friends. Stay warm in Chicago!
Heidi Thorne from Chicago Area on December 05, 2017:
I thought I had commented on this, but maybe my memory isn't working. Kind of ironic for a playlist on the brain. :)
Anyhow... I thought of the "Blinded Me With Science" track right away when I saw the title in the email alert. And when it comes to psychology, I weirdly think of Mister Rogers Neighborhood songs that help kids deal with their feelings.
Thanks for always bringing a smile to my day!
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on December 05, 2017:
Nell - I'm glad you enjoy this. I loved assembling it! Glad you are singing along.
Nell Rose from England on December 05, 2017:
It never fails to amaze me how you manage to find such appropriate songs for your lists! lol! this is great as always, and you have got me singing away again.
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on December 04, 2017:
Suhail - Thank you for the nice compliment. In graduate school, I used to teach Intro to Psychology as well as Small Group Behavior Dynamics. Even back then (in the mid to late 1990s, I tried to incorporate multimedia to illustrate concepts and keep students' short attention spans. Have a great week!
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on December 04, 2017:
Tamara - Thanks so much for your kind comment. I work very hard on each song list. Have a wonderful week!
Suhail Zubaid aka Clark Kent from Mississauga, ON on December 03, 2017:
Incredible work here, Flourish! I am amazed at your knowledge on both music, songs, and then on this difficult complex topic of psychology. This is simply priceless!
Tamara Yancosky from Uninhabited Regions on December 03, 2017:
I was rereading this post and just wanted to add that you really do such a th, maps, tables, and excellent information in the Call-Out Boxes. They have everything! Thank
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on December 02, 2017:
Genna - What a nice comment. I appreciate your kindness. I really worked hard on this one. Have a fabulous holiday weekend.
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on December 02, 2017:
Tamara - Thanks for stopping by. It's funny how many songs are connected to this topic. Puff is certainly a memorable song. Have a great weekend!
Genna East from Massachusetts, USA on December 02, 2017:
When I read the title, I thought -- how can one find 100 songs about psychology...but you did it, and beautifully. I never cease to be amazed with your creativity and the many themes of your selections. Thank you, again, for the music.
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on December 02, 2017:
Rasma - Thanks for your kind comment. Have a fabulous weekend this holiday season.
Gypsy Rose Lee from Daytona Beach, Florida on December 02, 2017:
WOW well done. Lots of songs I haven't even heard of. A most fascinating look at music from psychological viewpoint. Thanks for sharing.
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on December 02, 2017:
Peg - Thank you for your kind comment. Those classics are some of my old stand-bys. Have a great weekend!
Tamara Yancosky from Uninhabited Regions on December 01, 2017:
Excellent! I would never have thought of Songs about Psychology! How unique.
“Puff The Magic Dragon”; awwwe, this song always made me feel so sad when he walked away back into his cave :-( I imagined a great big clumsy-like sweet dragon, green in color.
Peg Cole from North Dallas, Texas on December 01, 2017:
I love this great collection of Psychological songs. Listening as I type to "I Can See Clearly Now," one of my all time favorites. Also loved the Aretha number and The Stones and Gordon Lightfoot. Face it, I love all these songs. Wonderful.
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on December 01, 2017:
Nikki - I appreciate the kind comment. Have a wonderful weekend!
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on December 01, 2017:
Linda - My favorite subjects - music and psychology. Glad you enjoyed! Have a terrific weekend!
Nikki Khan from London on December 01, 2017:
Wow,,,what a detail...Interesting and you did a great job.Very impressive dear.
Linda Crampton from British Columbia, Canada on November 30, 2017:
What an interesting theme for a playlist article! Thanks for sharing the music and the facts, Flourish.
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on November 30, 2017:
Mary - Psychology is all about thoughts, feelings, and behaviors -- why we have them, what creates them, etc. Naturally, it's super connected to so much in our lives.
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on November 30, 2017:
Jo - Thank you!
Mary Wickison from Brazil on November 30, 2017:
When I saw the title, I thought you had lost the plot! Clearly, I was wrong.
With music, I always thought most songs were about love but that's not it. It is about missing out, not feeling worthy, or a deep emotional battle. They all are about psychology, and I never knew it.
Thanks for opening my eyes.
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on November 30, 2017:
Dora - I hope I didn't go too deep. Tried to keep it to Psych 101, but you know. I prefer some branches of psychology tremendously more than others, and it probably shows. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on November 30, 2017:
Catherine - I totally agree with you. Everything seems to be connected to psychology. Don't you just love the subject and find it so useful?
Heidi Thorne from Chicago Area on November 30, 2017:
Even before I clicked the link to view the article, I thought of "Blinded Me With Science" tune. Yeah, stuck in the 80s (thanks for the Animotion throwback, too).
I'd add a lot of songs from Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. Most of his songs talk about dealing with thoughts and feelings in positive ways.
Another thought-provoking (pun intended) playlist! Thanks for sharing with us!
Jo Miller from Tennessee on November 30, 2017:
You did it again. Quite a list.
Dora Weithers from The Caribbean on November 30, 2017:
You got a little deep here, Missy. Enjoyed the brainy perspective you put on these lyrics. Good job!
Catherine Giordano from Orlando Florida on November 30, 2017:
You did a brilliant job with this. When I saw the title, I was skeptical. How many songs could there be about psychology? Well, you showed me. When you think about it everything is about psychology, how we think, feel, perceive, and relate. I love how you broke it down into sections. P.S. I have a BA in psychology and I have always loved the subject. I keep up with the work in the field.
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on November 30, 2017:
Linda - The Statler Brothers were from Staunton, VA, home of one of the state mental facilities where one of them stayed for a bit. In that light, doesn't the song seem so realistic? I've added it as #101. Thank you!
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on November 30, 2017:
Bill - The field is a lot wider than many think. Glad you enjoyed the list.
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on November 30, 2017:
Kari - Glad you enjoyed this. Thanks for stopping by!
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on November 30, 2017:
Devika - Thank you for visiting. Music and other non-lecture activities makes teaching psychology more engaging for students and gets them to understand that psychology is all around them.
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on November 30, 2017:
Frank - As a psychologist, I can see that nearly the whole world is connected to the topic. You know.
Kari Poulsen from Ohio on November 30, 2017:
That's a great list. I was wondering in the beginning, "what songs could there be?" But you showed me. Thanks. :)
Linda Lum from Washington State, USA on November 30, 2017:
Wow, just wow! I never ever thought of these songs in this way. Could we add perhaps a couple more (or maybe I missed them). The Temptations "Just My Imagination". And the Statler Brothers "Counting Flowers on the Wall."
Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on November 30, 2017:
I had a hard time with this one. The title was throwing me off...I thought of "Crazy" and "Possession," but now I read your list and do a forehead smack! Duh!
Devika Primić from Dubrovnik, Croatia on November 30, 2017:
I never gave much thought to these songs as you have here. You have created an interesting hub of the mind.
Frank Atanacio from Shelton on November 30, 2017:
Looking at the title I was wondering how you were going to pull this one off.. yeah.. I get it.. RESPECT.. I can see clearly now.. yeah it fits..LOL thanks for sharing
FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on November 30, 2017:
Annie - Thanks for weighing in. I've wanted to do this list for a long time, as so many songs touch on psychological concepts. Have a great week!
Anna Haun from USA on November 29, 2017:
Great article, very interesting, never thought of music like that before. Before I lost him (became ill & passed away) he dedicated the song "Always On My Mind" & of course "Whiskey Drinking Woman", but another favorite is "If Drinking Don't Kill Me Her (His) Memory Will", and then "Whiskey Lullaby", that is my song. What about "A Picture Of Me Without You"? Psychology is a topic that gets my attention, as I like to profile people, watch observe them, then give them my impression and most often I'm right. Can tell a lot about people when you pay attention, their behavior, the way they act.
Annie
