In music, as in life, there are often contrasting elements at play. Day and night, hot and cold, happy and sad – these dualities make up the fabric of our existence. And what better way to explore these concepts than through the medium of song?
Throughout history, musicians have written tunes about the opposing forces that shape our world. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best songs about opposites. These tunes run the gamut from classic to modern, serious to playful, and everything in between.
So whether you’re looking for a song to help you make sense of the world’s complexities, or just want to enjoy some good music, this list is for you.
Contents
- 1. “Poison and Wine” by Civil War
- 2. “Clumsy” by All Time Low
- 3. “But Beautiful” by Billie Holiday
- 4. “Colors” by Halsey
- 5. “You’re the Devil in Disguise” by Elvis Presley and The Jordanaires
- 6. “Tennis Court” by Lorde
- 7. “Hormones” by Tracey Thorn
- 8. “(If You’re Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To” by Weezer
- 9. “Nursery Rhyme of Innocence and Experience” by Natalie Merchant
- 10. “English Girls” by The Maine
- 11. “Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd
- 12. “Opposites Attract” by Paula Abdul
- 13. “Sk8er Boi” by Avril Lavigne
- 14. “Yeah Yeah” by Cheryl Cole
- 15. “Fat Man” by Jethro Tull
- 16. “A Perfect Match” by A*Teens
- 17. “The Whole of the Moon” by Waterboys
- 18. “Imploding the Mirage” by The Killers
- 19. “Shades of Gray” by Monkees
- 20. “Trouble” by Iggy Azalea
- Final Thoughts
1. “Poison and Wine” by Civil War
First on the list is “Poison and Wine” by The Civil Wars. This haunting ballad perfectly captures the feeling of being torn between two opposite forces.
The lyrics tell the story of a relationship that’s both toxic and intoxicating, making it impossible to stay away. It was released in 2009 as part of the Live at Eddie’s Attic album.
2. “Clumsy” by All Time Low
The next song is about being clumsy and feeling like you’re not good enough. In the song, the speaker is trying to impress someone but keeps making mistakes.
Even though they know they’re not perfect, they still try their best. It was released in 2020 as part of the Wake Up, Sunshine album.
3. “But Beautiful” by Billie Holiday
Billie Holiday’s “But Beautiful” is a song about two people who are in love even though they’re not supposed to be.
The lyrics talk about how love is funny but beautiful. It’s one of his most remarkable tracks which has been covered by several artists over the years.
4. “Colors” by Halsey
“Colors” is a song about not being afraid to be yourself. The lyrics encourage listeners to be proud of who they are, no matter what others might think.
It’s a message that everyone can relate to, and it’s one of the reasons why the song is so popular. It was released in 2015 as part of the Badlands album.
5. “You’re the Devil in Disguise” by Elvis Presley and The Jordanaires
Next on the list is “You’re the Devil in Disguise” by Elvis Presley and The Jordanaires. This song is about a man who is in love with a woman who is evil. He knows that she’s not good for him, but he can’t help how he feels.
It was released in 1963 and reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100. You can find it on the Elvis’ Gold Records Volume 4 album.
6. “Tennis Court” by Lorde
Lorde’s “Tennis Court” is a song about being yourself and not caring what others think. The lyrics talk about how you don’t need approval from anyone else, and you should just be yourself.
It’s a powerful message that resonates with a lot of people. The song was released in 2013 as part of the Pure Heroine album.
7. “Hormones” by Tracey Thorn
The next song is called “Hormones” by Tracey Thorn. It’s a song about the ups and downs of relationships.
The lyrics talk about how love is complicated and sometimes it feels like you’re on a roller coaster. It was released in 2010 as part of the Love and Its Opposite album. You can stream it on all music platforms out there.
8. “(If You’re Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To” by Weezer
Next on the list is “(If You’re Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To” by Weezer. The song is about being in love with someone who doesn’t love you back.
It’s a frustrating feeling, but the speaker still wants the person to know how they feel. It was released in 2009 as part of the Raditude album.
9. “Nursery Rhyme of Innocence and Experience” by Natalie Merchant
“Nursery Rhyme of Innocence and Experience” is a song about the loss of innocence. The lyrics talk about how children are often taught to be afraid of the dark, but it’s only because they don’t understand it. It’s a sad but beautiful song that was released in 2010 as part of the Leave Your Sleep album.
10. “English Girls” by The Maine
Next on the list is a song by The Maine called “English Girls”. This is a catchy tune about a group of boys hooking up with English girls while on vacation.
The singer talks about how cultures can be so different, but in the end, we’re all just looking for someone to love. It was released in 2015 for their American Candy album.
11. “Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here” is a classic rock song that was released in 1975. It’s a ballad about missing someone who is no longer there.
The lyrics are full of emotion and really capture the feeling of longing for someone. You can find it on the album of the same title which can be streamed on all major music platforms.
12. “Opposites Attract” by Paula Abdul
The next song is by Paula Abdul and it’s called “Opposites Attract”. This upbeat track is all about how people who are complete opposites can still find love together.
It’s a fun song with a great message, and it was released in 1988. You can find it on her album Forever Your Girl which is also available on all major music platforms.
13. “Sk8er Boi” by Avril Lavigne
You probably know Avril Lavigne’s “Sk8er Boi” from the early 2000s. It’s a catchy song about a girl who falls for a bad boy skater.
The lyrics talk about how people can be quick to judge others, but in the end, we all just want to feel something for someone. It was released in 2002 as part of her Let Go album.
14. “Yeah Yeah” by Cheryl Cole
Another song from the early 2000s, “Yeah Yeah” by Cheryl Cole is about having opposite personalities yet still attract. The lyrics talk about how she’s in love with him and wants to spend the rest of her life with him.
It was released in 2010 as part of her Messy Little Raindrops album. If you want to listen to a song about love against all odds, this is the one for you.
15. “Fat Man” by Jethro Tull
Jethro Tull is an English rock band formed in 1967. They are considered to be one of the pioneers of progressive rock.
The song “Fat Man” is from their album Stand Up, which was released in 1969. It now has over 100k views on Youtube and can also be streamed on other music platforms out there.
16. “A Perfect Match” by A*Teens
Next on the list is “A Perfect Match” by A*Teens. This song is from their album New Arrival, released in 2003.
The group was created by the Swedish production company, which is also responsible for creating other successful bands and artists. The song is about two people who are far different from each other yet somehow end up falling in love.
17. “The Whole of the Moon” by Waterboys
“The Whole of the Moon” is a song by Waterboys, released in 1985. It is one of their most popular and well-known songs. The song is about yearning for something far from reach. It has been covered by many artists over the years.
18. “Imploding the Mirage” by The Killers
The next song on the list is “Imploding the Mirage” by The Killers. This song is from their album of the same name, which was released in 2020.
It is a synth-pop song with a positive message about fighting for what you believe in. It can be streamed on all music platforms.
19. “Shades of Gray” by Monkees
“Shades of Gray” is a song by Monkees, released in 1967. The song is about the different shades of gray that people see in life. This now has over a million views on Youtube, making it one of their most popular tracks of all time.
20. “Trouble” by Iggy Azalea
Finishing up our list of songs about opposites is “Trouble” by Iggy Azalea. This song is about realizing that he’s not what you think he is and that you’re better off without him.
It features the singer Jennifer Hudson and it now has over 100 million views on Youtube. It was released in 2014 as part of the Reclassified album.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re looking for something lighthearted or more serious, there’s bound to be a song out there that fits the bill. These songs about opposites are just a small sampling of what’s available; so get out there and explore the many possibilities! Who knows, you might just find your new favorite song in the process. Thanks for reading!