15 Angry Songs

If you are angry, you will want to kick, throw, scream, hit, and squeeze anything that you can have in your hands, but you may as well want to listen to some good angry songs.

Music is very good therapy- if you feel down, listen to sad songs; if you are pissed, listen to fu*k you songs; if you are angry, what you need are some good angry songs. Naturally, one would think you have to get a strong metal-rock song before that will work. However, there are many other songs that you can pump through your headset to feel much better. Let’s take a look at some of the best.

1. The Way I Am

• Artist(s): Eminem
• Year Released: 2000
• Songwriter(s): Marshall Mathers
• Genre(s): Hardcore hip hop

For anyone who has taken the time to listen to Eminem, most especially with his earlier songs including Cleaning Out My Closet, you will know that apart from being a genius as far as rap is concerned, he can also get very angry.

The Way I Am is one of his songs of rage, trying to let you know he is just the way he is. More so, It features a much darker and emotionally driven sound that expresses the negative side of the fame that he had gained. The song makes points such as his not being able to go out in public and live a normal life due to him being harassed by fans.

Lyrics:

And I am whatever you say I am
If I wasn’t, then why would I say I am?
In the paper, the news, every day I am
Radio won’t even play my jam
‘Cause I am whatever you say I am
If I wasn’t, then why would I say I am?
In the paper, the news, every day I am
I don’t know, it’s just the way I am

2. Here Comes Revenge – Metallica 

• Artist(s): Metallica
• Year Released: 2019
• Songwriter(s): James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich
• Genre(s): Metal, Rock

If you simply need a song that would inspire you to be karma and take matters into your own hands, this song is the best bet for you. The lyrics and beats of the song all scream anger and when angry, one of the first things that comes to mind is revenge, no?

Lyrics:

Little grave I’m grieving, I will mend you

Sweet revenge I’m dreaming, I will end you

I’ve been here since dawn of time

Countless hatreds built my shrine

I was born in anger;s flame

He was Abel, I was Cain

I am here

I’m hell unbound

Burn your kingdom to the ground

To the ground

3. Killing In The Name – Rage Against The Machine

• Artist(s): Rage Against the Machine
• Year Released: 1992
• Songwriter(s): Tim Commerford, Zack de la Rocha, Tom Morello and Brad Wilk
• Genre(s): Alternative metal, rap metal, rap rock, hard rock

An angry, profanity-filled polemic against the problems of American society, Killing In The Name. The lyrics were motivated by Rodney King’s experience with police brutality and the ensuing 1992 riots in Los Angeles. The word “f*ck” appears 16 times in this song.

Lyrics:

Those who died are justified, for wearing the badge, they’re the chosen whites
You justify those that died by wearing the badge, they’re the chosen whites
Those who died are justified, for wearing the badge, they’re the chosen whites
You justify those that died by wearing the badge, they’re the chosen whites

4. Break Stuff – Limp Bizkit

• Artist(s): Limp Bizkit
• Year Released: 2000
• Songwriter(s): Fred Durst, Wes Borland. John Otto and Sam Rivers
• Genre(s): Nu metal, rap metal

Limp Bizkit’s Break Stuff was predicated on rage, giving the middle finger (often literally) to anyone and anything that tried to bring them down. This song is a clear expression of that rage, with lead singer Fred Durst explaining his coping mechanism for dealing with a bad day.

The song was noted for a performance at Woodstock ’99 in which violent actions occurred. When the song played, Fred Durst encouraged the crowd to become rowdy. Fans tore plywood on the walls when the song played and numerous sexual assaults were reported to have occurred.

Also, During the band’s 2001 appearance at the Big Day Out festival in Sydney, Australia, teenager Jessica Michalik was crushed by the unruly crowd near the front of the stage before dying of her injuries.

Lyrics:

It’s all about the he says, she says bullshit
I think you better quit, let the shit slip
Or you’ll be leaving with a fat lip
It’s all about the he says, she says bullshit
I think you better quit, talking that shit

5. You Oughta Know – Alanis Morissette

• Artist(s): Alanis Morissette
• Year Released: 
• Songwriter(s):
• Genre(s): 

This song is said to be a diatribe of scorn, heartbreak, and vulnerability. The song also depicts anger, as a protection. Co-written by Morissette and Jagged Little Pill producer Glen Ballard, “You Oughta Know” is raw emotions from the opening verse.

Lyrics:

And I’m here, to remind you
Of the mess you left when you went away
It’s not fair, to deny me
Of the cross I bear that you gave to me
You, you, you oughta know

SEE ALSO: Nigerian Musicians- 25 Greatest That Have Remained Relevant For Long

6. This is America

• Artist(s): Childish Gabino
• Year Released: 2018
• Songwriter(s): Donald Glover
• Genre(s): Hip hop, Afrobeats and trap

The lyrics and accompanying music video of This is America reflect the core of the Black Lives Matter movement, and confront issues of ongoing systemic racism, including prejudice, racial violence, the ghetto, and law enforcement in the United States, as well as the wider issues of mass shootings and gun violence in the United States.

Lyrics:

You just a black man in this world
You just a barcode, ayy
You just a black man in this world
Drivin’ expensive foreigns, ayy
You just a big dawg, yeah
I kenneled him in the backyard
No, probably ain’t life to a dog
For a big dog

7. Chop Suey!

• Artist(s): System Of a Down
• Year Released: 2001
• Songwriter(s): Daron Malakian, Serj Tankian
• Genre(s): Nu metal, alternative metal, progressive metal, thrash metal

In an interview, Daron Malakian explained, “The song is about how we are regarded differently depending on how we pass. Everyone deserves to die. Like, if I were now to die from drug abuse, they might say I deserved it because I abused dangerous drugs. Hence the line, ‘I cry when angels deserve to die’.

Lyrics:

I don’t think you trust
In my self-righteous suicide
I cry when angels deserve to die
In my self-righteous suicide
I cry when angels deserve to die

8. I Hate Myself For Loving You 

• Artist(s): Joan Jet & The Blackhearts
• Year Released: 1988
• Songwriter(s): Joan Jett, Desmond Child
• Genre(s): Hard rock

I Hate Myself for Loving You is a classic rock tune that tells the story of the struggle between the heart and the mind. On one hand, the protagonist knows that the person she loves is bad for her and that the relationship is toxic. On the other hand, she can’t help but feel drawn to him, and she hates herself for it. This internal conflict is something that many people can relate to, regardless of their gender.

Lyrics:

I hate myself for loving you
Can’t break free from the the things that you do
I wanna walk but I run back to you
That’s why I hate myself for loving you

9. F*ck Tha Police – N.W.A

• Artist(s): N.W.A
• Year Released: 1988
• Songwriter(s): Ice Cube, MC Ren, The D. O.C
• Genre(s): Political hip hop, Hardcore hip hop.

This song was recorded as a protest song against the police and their brutality. Hip-Hop group, N.W.A put into lyrics, their disapproval of all the profiling (especially racial) done by the police.

The song was from their 1988 album Straight Outta Compton and was ranked number 425 in 2004 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. 17 years later, Rolling Stone re-ranked the song at number 190 after updating the list.

Lyrics:

F*ck the police comin’ straight from the underground

A Young n*gga got it bad ’cause I’m brown 

And not the other color so police think

They have the authority to kill a minority

F*ck that shit, ’cause I ain’t the one

For a p*nk motherf*cker with a badge and a gun

To be beatin’ on, and thrown in jail

We can go toe-to-toe in the middle of a cell

10. Before He Cheats – Carrie Underwood

• Artist(s): Carrie Underwood
• Year Released: 2006
• Songwriter(s): Josh Kear and Chris Tompkins
• Genre(s): Country, Country Rock

This song was recorded and released by Carrie Underwood just a year after becoming well-known the world over for winning American Idols’s 4th season in 2005.

Before He Cheats was actually written by Josh Kear and Chris Tompkins for another artist and it is about a woman who executes a revenge plan on her partner, even before he cheats.

The lyrics to the song were quite descriptive as if the woman had already caught her man cheating but that wasn’t even the case.

Lyrics:

Right now, he’s probably slow dancin’ with a bleach-blonde tramp 

And she’s probably gettin’ frisky

Right now, he’s probably buyin’ her some fruity little drink

‘Cause she can’t shoot whiskey

Right now, he’s probably up behind her with a pool stick

Showin’ her how to shoot a combo

And he don’t know

READ ALSO: NotjustOk: How To Download And Listen To Free Nigerian Songs; Videos

11. Look Back In Anger – David Bowie

• Artist(s): David Bowie
• Year Released: 1979
• Songwriter(s): David Bowie and Brian Eno
• Genre(s): Hardcore Rock, Art Rock

This song by David Bowie mirrors what the artist felt at the time of its composition. For many people, the song means different things and it can be perceived in different ways.

Over the years since its release, Look Back In Anger has remained ambiguous, and even though the video gave a bit clearer perspective, we’ll leave the moral lesson to you to figure out when you listen and watch the song.

Lyrics:

You know who I am, he said

The Speaker was an angel

He coughed and shook his crumpled wings

Closed his eyes and moved his lips

It’s time we should be going

Waiting so long, I’ve been waiting so, waiting so

Look back in anger, driven by the night

Till you come

Waiting so long, I’ve been waiting so, waiting so

Look back in anger, driven by the night

Till you come

12. Get Out of My House – Kate Bush

• Artist(s): Kate Bush
• Year Released: 1982
• Songwriter(s): Kate Bush
• Genre(s): Rock, Art Rock, Alternative Rock, Experimental Music

Look at it this way, the ‘House’ Kate is warning this person to get out of, isn’t a building per se. It is actually her heart, her life, and her in totality.

In the grand scheme of things, one has to learn how to protect themselves from people especially those who are no good. In order to achieve this, you begin to lock people out and shut the doors and windows as well as other entrances to your life.

Just be done with everything.

Lyrics:

I am the concierge chez-moi, honey

Won’t let ya in for love, nor money

(“Let me in!”)

My home, my joy

I’m barred and bolted and I 

(Won’t let you in)

(Get out of my house!)

13. Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)- Styx

• Artist(s): Styx
• Year Released: 1978
• Songwriter(s): Tommy Shaw
• Genre(s): Progressive Rock

This song was inspired by a member of the Styx band and was written by another member, lead singer, Tommy Shaw. It was initially written about Dennis DeYoung who would always get angry when their band encountered a setback.

However, later in life, Tommy began to realize that he also could be seen in the lyrics.

When you start the song, please be patient and listen through the instrumentals. The lyrics of the song don’t start till 1:38.

Lyrics:

You see the world through your cynical eyes

You’re a troubled young man I can tell

You’ve got it all in the palm of your hand

But your hand’s wet with sweat and your head needs a rest

14. Angry Again – Megadeth

• Artist(s): Megadeth
• Year Released: 1993
• Songwriter(s): Dave Mustaine
• Genre(s): Heavy Metal

Like the name suggests, ‘Angry Again’ tells the story of Dave Mustaine who was angry at his band, promoters, and a lot of people while half asleep, listening to Should I Stay or Should I Go, and writing the lyrics to the song.

It was actually written just after Dave got out of rehab and it was for the movie, Last Action Hero which was unfortunately not as successful as the soundtrack.

Lyrics

Engaged in crime I grasp my throat

Enraged my mind starts to smoke

Enforce a mental overload

Angry again, angry again, angry

The searing of the sinew

My body fights for air

The ripping of the tissue

My lungs begin to tear

Gravity’s got my bones

It pulls my flesh away

The steam finally dissipates

I make out my sweaty face

15. Seventy Times 7 – Brand New

• Artist(s): 
• Year Released: 
• Songwriter(s):
• Genre(s): 

The lyrics to this song seem to be about another musician however, its true inspiration is one that has left many questions over the years.

The song, known for being raw and angry was part of Brand New’s debut album and it is in reference to the biblical verse where Jesus instructs his disciples to forgive as many as seventy times seven times.

Lyrics

Back in school they never taught us what we needed to know

Like how to deal with despair, or someone breaking your heart

For twelve years I’ve held it all together but a night like this is begging to pull me apart

I played it quiet, left you deep in conversation

I felt uncool and hung out around the kitchen

I remember I kept thinking that I know you never would

and now I know I want to k*ll you like only a best friend could