Sometimes music is the only thing brave enough to say what we’ve been through. This playlist brings together 11 songs across R&B, soul, pop, and
Sometimes music is the only thing brave enough to say what we’ve been through.
This playlist brings together 11 songs across R&B, soul, pop, and a touch of country and rock that speak honestly about domestic violence. These songs are raw. Some are heartbreaking. Some are bold. All of them carry stories that have helped Survivors feel seen, heard, and held.
1. “What About” – Janet Jackson (1997)
From The Velvet Rope, this emotionally charged track confronts abuse and betrayal. When Janet performed it live in 2017, she broke down on stage. That’s how real it is.
2. “Love Is Blind” – Eve (1999)
A story about Eve’s best friend being abused, told with fire and pain. The song ends with Eve imagining revenge. Based on true events.
3. “Rain On Me” – Ashanti (2003)
Ashanti plays the role of a woman trapped in a cycle of emotional and physical abuse. The video features Larenz Tate and was part of a larger domestic violence awareness campaign.
4. “How Come, How Long” – Babyface ft. Stevie Wonder (1997)
Written after the murder of Nicole Brown Simpson, this song is a plea for society to stop looking away from abuse.
5. “Family Portrait” – Pink (2001)
Written from a child’s point of view, Pink opens a window into what it’s like growing up in a broken and volatile home. The pain is plain. So is the longing for peace.
6. “Independence Day” – Martina McBride (1994)
A woman takes a final stand against her abusive husband. This country song crossed boundaries and became an anthem for many Survivors.
7. “Behind the Wall” – Tracy Chapman (1988)
No instruments. Just voice. Just truth. This acapella track describes hearing abuse next door and the failure of police to respond. Stark, simple, chilling.
8. “Concrete Angel” – Martina McBride (2002)
A heartbreaking tale of a young girl suffering in silence. The lyrics and video helped raise awareness about child abuse.
9. “Janie’s Got a Gun” – Aerosmith (1989)
Rock meets revenge. A young girl fights back after years of abuse. The video was controversial and powerful when it was released.
10. “Russian Roulette” – Rihanna (2009)
Dark, poetic, and emotionally intense, Rihanna dropped this not long after surviving abuse in her personal life. The song and video are full of symbolism and emotion.
11. “Alyssa Lies” – Jason Michael Carroll (2006)
Told from a father’s perspective, this song is about a child who notices her classmate is being abused. The ending hits hard.
This playlist isn’t for background noise. It’s for reflection. For truth-telling. For creating space to feel and to heal.
If you or someone you know is in danger, please reach out to a domestic violence hotline or support organization in your country. No one deserves to suffer in silence.
Losing Three Icons, Carrying Their Light: The Power of Musical Legacy – WESurviveAbuse
Surviving Abuse Daily: Musical Empowerment for Women – WESurviveAbuse|Surviving Abuse Daily: Musical Empowerment for Women | elink
She Traveled Deep Within: A Spiritual Portrait of Alice Coltrane – Survivor Affirmations
Afro Harpists: Pioneers in Spiritual Jazz and Healing (w/affirmations) – Survivor Affirmations
Playing by Heart: Alberta Hunter and the Power of Soul Wisdom – Survivor Affirmations
Stay Woke: When a Warning is Turned to a Punchline – WESurviveAbuse