6 Great Songs by Autistic Artists

Songs are a gateway to another person’s feelings and experiences, and what makes them so special is the way they can transform our thinking and understanding of one another. When it comes to autism, there’s a spectrum of experiences. Every person on the spectrum isn’t quite the same, thus don’t have the same experiences, which is what makes art created by autistic people so unique and captivating. Being a musician can be intense for anyone, and a person on the spectrum faces even more challenges depending on the severity of how social and communication skills are affected. Despite these challenges, there are some amazing autistic musicians putting themselves and their experiences out there for others to relate to. There are so many incredible musicians who are on the spectrum, so we’ve put together a list of songs to check out by autistic artists.  

"Riot On Sunset" - James Durbin 

If this list is going to include artists on the spectrum, then I have to include this American Idol alum. Durbin is not only on the spectrum, but he also has Tourette's, making him an inspiration when he competed in the show's tenth season and made it to the Top 4. The song's title and lyrics refer to the Sunset Strip curfew riots of 1966, also known as the "hippie riots." These were a series of counterculture-era clashes between young people and the police on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, California. Given how the autism rights movement has been getting stronger lately, this revolutionary song would be very appropriate for Autism Acceptance Day. 

“My Delirium” - Ladyhawke 

Ladyhawke is a New Zealand singer-songwriter on the spectrum. Her stage name comes from the Richard Donner movie of the same name. This track perfectly captures the anxiety of waiting for a call. The artist herself has said of the song, “I was missing my friends and family back home, and I was basically living to hear my phone ring in hope that it would be one of them calling. So, my delirium came out of me thinking I was going crazy from lack of sleep! Ladyhawke has credited her autism with her deep connection to music and her ability to create. 

“Heroes of Autism” - Jodi DiPiazza 

DiPiazza received acclaim before she was even 10 years old. She wrote and performed a song, “Heroes of Autism,” for Toys R Us to be used in conjunction with a fundraiser for Autism Speaks- a campaign that raised over $3 million- when she was only 9. She also appeared on multiple airings of the previously annual event, The Night of Too Many Stars on Comedy Central, where more than $4 million was raised for autism education. There aren’t many original songs found online from her, but she has such talent, I wanted to include her anyway. So, you can check out “Heroes of Autism” below. 

“Bird with a Broken Wing” - Owl City (Adam Young) 

Adam Young, who performs under the Owl City moniker, has spoken openly about his experiences with autism and the Asperger's traits he has. While his music can be loved by anyone, the upbeat, ethereal quality of his music, on top of his soothing lyrics, has resonated with a lot of people on the spectrum. Reddit user usedtobebadatmath sums it up perfectly, saying, “when i need to stim or go into overload and i need something to cancel it out owl city js a perfect go to for me.” As a fan myself, it’s hard to pick just one song to represent him as an artist. I ultimately decided to go with “Bird with a Broken Wing,” which many fans speculate is about the autistic experience.  

“Solitude” - Travis Meeks 

Travis Meeks, the lead singer of Days of the New, has been open about his own experiences with Asperger's syndrome. While none of the band’s songs explicitly discuss themes of being on the spectrum, the group does have many songs about detachment, a feeling many on the spectrum can relate to at times. “Solitude” has themes of loneliness and detachment woven into a 90s grunge sound that will crawl under your skin and make you want to listen. Check it out. 

“Who I Was Born to Be” - Susan Boyle 

Susan Boyle wowed the world with her operatic singing voice when she auditioned for Britain’s Got Talent in 2009. People were shocked that her appearance didn’t match her incredible singing voice (that’s the 2000s for you – they loved to judge based on appearance). After finishing as the runner-up in 2009, Boyle began a recording career. She later spoke about her diagnosis of Asperger's syndrome. While many of her studio albums contain covers/renditions of other classic songs, such as “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Misérables or “The Winner Takes It All” from ABBA, she does have an original song. “Who I Was Born to Be" was written by Boyle as the theme song of the 2010 anime film Welcome to the Space Show. The song can be interpreted a few ways, but the chorus, “And though I may not know the answers I can finally say I am free. And if the questions led me here, then I am who I was born to be” definitely feel like they’re pulled from her own experience of feeling like an outsider and learning to accept herself. You can listen to it below. 

These are just six of the many talented autistic artists out there. In the wake of apps like TikTok and YouTube, it’s easier than ever for people to put their music out there for the world to experience, including artists that may not “sell” the traditional way. All this to say, there are many more autistic artists out there to discover. Whether you’re looking for songs that explore neurodivergence or you just want to support an artist on the spectrum, we hope this list is a good jumping off point to even more discovery. Thank you for reading! Let us know which autistic artist you love in the comments!  

 Written by Kristen Petronio

Thanks to the following resources that helped me put this post together... https://vocal.media/beat/a-playlist-of-autism-anthems 

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5ekP6ID707mPJwEcAMF60E?si=3116db3dd2c841a4