Can Music Change How You Feel About Your Body?

The playlist you choose might do more than just set the mood — it could transform how you see yourself in the mirror. For many listeners, music serves as a powerful ally in developing self-acceptance and body confidence.

Through an extensive analysis of body-positive Spotify playlists and insights from 1,000 Americans, we've uncovered how music shapes our relationship with our bodies. Check out the songs, artists, and genres that are helping listeners to embrace themselves more fully.

Key Takeaways

• The top songs on body-positive playlists are "Confident" by Demi Lovato and "Scars To Your Beautiful" by Alessia Cara.
• 56% of metal fans have a positive body image.
• The artists helping people feel the most confident are Lizzo, Taylor Swift, and Beyoncé.
• Over 1 in 10 people say EDM makes them feel the most confident.

Top Songs Fueling Body Positivity

Some tracks have become staples for boosting body positivity. At No. 1, "Confident" by Demi Lovato inspires listeners to embrace their inner strength, while Alessia Cara's "Scars to Your Beautiful" reminds us that beauty comes in all forms. Completing the top three, Nelly Furtado's "Maneater" brings an empowering edge, celebrating confidence while challenging societal expectations.

Artists Who Empower Self-Love and Confidence

These diverse voices and genres contribute to playlists that uplift listeners and encourage personal acceptance from multiple perspectives.

Taylor Swift was the most frequently featured artist in body-positive playlists. Known for her storytelling lyrics, Swift's music offers messages of personal empowerment, emotional growth, and self-love. Ariana Grande followed closely in second, offering upbeat anthems that promote self-confidence and resilience. Billie Eilish, Drake, and Lana Del Rey also made frequent appearances.

Focusing on artists by genre, Deftones was the top metal artist on body-positive playlists. Their emotionally raw lyrics and distinctive sound offer a powerful sense of personal expression. Metal's embrace of struggle, individuality, and defiance adds depth to these playlists, showing that self-acceptance can take many forms.

The Music That Boosts Confidence

Our survey findings reveal the genres and artists that most inspire confidence and body positivity among listeners.

Reggae fans have the most body positivity, with 70% rating their body image highly. Metal fans also showed high levels of body image satisfaction (56%).

When it comes to individual artists who inspire confidence, Lizzo, Taylor Swift, and Beyoncé lead the way, thanks to their empowering messages.

Americans also ranked pop, rock, and hip-hop/rap as the top three genres that make them feel the most self-assured. Additionally, over 1 in 10 said EDM gives them the biggest confidence boost, likely due to the genre's upbeat and energizing vibe.

The Soundtrack to Self-Acceptance

With the right playlist, music can be a powerful tool for self-acceptance. From upbeat pop to introspective metal, listeners are finding body positivity in a wide range of sounds, showing that the right tunes can lift us up, boost our confidence, and remind us to celebrate ourselves.

Methodology

Using Spotify's API, we analyzed 360,997 songs across 1,849 body-positive playlists. The keywords used to identify these playlists were "body image" (451), "body positivity" (412), "confidence" (553), and "self-love" (433). We also surveyed 1,000 Americans to uncover how music affects body image and confidence.

About Levity

At Levity, we combine the power of clinically proven medications like Wegovy and Compounded Semaglutide with personalized lifestyle support to help you achieve long-term weight loss. Our team of US-based clinicians and registered dietitians provide expert guidance and compassionate care, ensuring you feel confident and supported throughout your journey.

Fair Use Statement

You may share this content noncommercially with proper attribution to the original source, helping others explore how music influences body image and self-esteem.