Category: Songs to Inspire

Little River Band released this song in 1977 and is their only number one hit. There is strength in numbers when it comes to covert narcissist survivors. There is nothing wrong with reaching out for help when we need it on our road to recovery. Similarly, it is often good to let fellow survivors know…

It’s important to recognize that in any recovery from narcissistic abuse that some days will be more difficult than others. We need to remind ourselves that the person we loved, and are now grieving, is not the person they really were. The road to recovery is about progress, not perfection. As the song states, “it’s…

John Deacon wrote Who Needs You as part of Queen’s “News of the World” world album. The band never formally released the basis for the song, but most agree that John is writing about his relationship with his wife. As a covert narcissist survivor, this song rings true and brings forth the push-pull relationship of…

The hit by the “All American Rejects” revolves around two alter egos of lead singer and bassist Tyson Ritter – one as a traditional family man and the other as a lay-about garage band singer  – as neighbors infuriating  and pulling pranks on each other due to their different lifestyles and behaviors, while scenes of the…

Jackson Browne wrote “Running on Empty” while driving to the recording studio for his album The Pretender, inspired by his habit of not filling up his gas tank because the studio was so close, leading to a “running on empty” lifestyle metaphor.  As part of my recovery from a narcissistic relationship, I invested time visiting waterfalls…

“Don’t Stop” was written by Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac in response to her separation and subsequent divorce from the band’s bassist, John McVie, and became a song about moving on and finding hope. 

Amy Lee, the lead singer of Evanescence, wrote “Call Me When You’re Sober” about a painful breakup and the need to stand up for herself. The song is about the difficulties of ending a relationship and the courage to move on.  The song has become an anthem for many narcissistic abuse survivors and speaks to the courage…

Patty Griffin wrote “Useless Desires” to tell the story of a young woman who looks back on her hometown before moving away. The song appears on her album Impossible Dream.  For me, this song rings true as somebody who is looking back at my relationship with my covert narcissist. In particular, it looks back and reminds me…

There is no specific meaning to me behind this song, except for it being a fun song. This is one of my favorites to play as part of our annual tour. What is the annual tour? It’s an annual get together with close friends where we eat well and play a serious amount of Rock…

REO Speedwagon’s “Roll with the Changes” was written by Kevin Cronin about his experience moving from Chicago to Los Angeles to rejoin the band. The song is about the journey of moving and adapting to change.  It is my reminder that there is not only life after having your world turned upside down from a narcissist, but…