Being stuck and feeling trapped, physically or mentally, can be really tough and exhausting to deal with. Sometimes, all you need is a therapeutic playlist of songs you can relate to.
We hope that this list of 21 Best Songs About Being Stuck and Feeling Trapped may help you feel at ease and know that you’re not alone.
Table of Contents
- 21. Locked Away by R. City feat. Adam Levine
- 20. Trapped by Bruce Springsteen
- 19. Break Free by Ariana Grande feat. Zedd
- 18. Fade to Black by Metallica
- 17. Sound of Silence by Simon & Garfunkel
- 16. Stuck by Limp Bizkit
- 15. Landslide by Fleetwood Mac
- 14. The Scientist by Coldplay
- 13. Heart-Shaped Box by Nirvana
- 12. Tangled Up in Blue by Bob Dylan
- 11. Dollhouse by Melanie Martinez
- 10. Mad World by Gary Jules
- 9. Trapped Under Ice by Metallica
- 8. Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd
- 7. Escape by Enrique Iglesias
- 6. Tunnel Vision by Kodak Black
- 5. I’m Not Okay (I Promise) by My Chemical Romance
- 4. Trapped by Tupac Shakur
- 3. Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of by U2
- 2. Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Green Day
- 1. Stuck in the Middle with You by Stealers Wheel
21. Locked Away by R. City feat. Adam Levine
“Locked Away” is by the American musical duo R. City, starring Adam Levine of Maroon 5. It was released in 2015 as the lead single from R. City’s debut studio album, What Dreams Are Made Of.
While “Locked Away” is mainly a love song, it does refer to being stuck and feeling trapped.
The lyrics describe a situation in which the person feels trapped and uncertain about his future, wondering if his partner would still love him if he couldn’t be strong in the face of challenges.
20. Trapped by Bruce Springsteen
“Trapped” is a song by Bruce Springsteen that was released in 1986 on his album “Live/1975-85”. Jimmy Cliff wrote the song, which became a hit for him in the 1970s.
The lyrics in Bruce Springsteen’s cover version reflect the feeling of being trapped and unable to escape a situation.
The protagonist of the song is stuck in a dead-end job and feels powerless to change his situation.
19. Break Free by Ariana Grande feat. Zedd
“Break Free” is a song by Ariana Grande that features DJ and producer Zedd. The song was released in 2014 as part of the album “My Everything,” and it is a dance-pop and EDM song with strong vocals and upbeat instrumentation.
The theme of feeling trapped or stuck in a relationship is also present in the song, as Grande sings about a partner who attempts to control and manipulate her.
18. Fade to Black by Metallica
“Fade to Black” is a song by American heavy metal band Metallica. It was released in 1984 as part of their second studio album, “Ride the Lightning.” The song is classified as a ballad, with a slower tempo and more melodic guitar work than some of Metallica’s other songs.
The song’s message of feeling trapped and hopeless has resonated with listeners of all ages, and its enduring popularity is a testament to its emotional depth and musical prowess.
17. Sound of Silence by Simon & Garfunkel
“Sound of Silence” is a song by American folk rock duo Simon & Garfunkel. It was released in 1965 as part of their debut studio album, “Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.”
The lyrics of “Sound of Silence” explore the theme of alienation and the search for meaning in a chaotic and confusing world.
16. Stuck by Limp Bizkit
“Stuck” is a song by the American nu-metal band Limp Bizkit, released in 2003 on their album “Results May Vary”. The song is about feeling trapped and unable to escape a situation, whether it be a bad relationship or a general feeling of being stuck in life.
15. Landslide by Fleetwood Mac
“Landslide” is a song by the British-American rock band Fleetwood Mac, released in 1975 on their self-titled album “Fleetwood Mac”.
The metaphor of a landslide represents the sudden and overwhelming changes that can happen in life, and the need to be able to adapt and navigate through them.
14. The Scientist by Coldplay
Coldplay’s “The Scientist” is a song from their second studio album “A Rush of Blood to the Head,” released in 2002. The song is a piano ballad about the heartbreak and regret of a failed relationship.
The sense of longing and desperation in the song can also relate to the feeling of being stuck and feeling trapped in other areas of life, such as a dead-end job or a personal situation that seems impossible to change.
13. Heart-Shaped Box by Nirvana
“Heart-Shaped Box” is a song by the American rock band Nirvana, released in 1993 on their third and final studio album “In Utero”.
The song is a powerful and haunting song that captures the feelings of alienation and isolation that can come with the pursuit of love and connection.
12. Tangled Up in Blue by Bob Dylan
“Tangled Up in Blue” is a song written by Bob Dylan and released in 1975 on his album “Blood on the Tracks.”
The lyrics of “Tangled Up in Blue” explore themes of love, loss, and memory, and are frequently viewed as autobiographical.
11. Dollhouse by Melanie Martinez
“Dollhouse” is a song by American singer Melanie Martinez, released in 2014 on her debut EP “Dollhouse”. The song is known for its eerie, childlike melodies and haunting lyrics, and has been described as a commentary on the facade of the perfect family.
It is highly relevant to the theme of being trapped and feeling stuck, as it describes a family that is trapped within a facade of perfection, hiding their true dysfunctional and abusive nature.
10. Mad World by Gary Jules
“Mad World” was written by Roland Orzabal and first performed by his band Tears for Fears in 1982. Later, American singer Gary Jules covered it for the soundtrack of the 2001 film “Donnie Darko.”
The song’s chorus, “Mad world, mad world”, reinforces the idea of a chaotic and overwhelming world that can feel impossible to navigate.
9. Trapped Under Ice by Metallica
“Trapped Under Ice” is a song by American heavy metal band Metallica, from their 1984 album “Ride the Lightning”. The song is characterized by its fast-paced, thrash metal sound, with aggressive riffs, pounding drums, and a powerful vocal performance by lead singer James Hetfield.
The song’s lyrics can also be interpreted as a metaphor for feeling trapped in a difficult situation or mindset, unable to escape or make progress.
8. Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd’s song “Comfortably Numb” is taken from their 1979 album “The Wall.” The song is distinguished by its haunting melody, atmospheric soundscapes, and David Gilmour’s iconic guitar solo.
“Comfortably Numb” lyrics address feelings of disconnection and detachment. The feeling of being trapped and unable to escape.
7. Escape by Enrique Iglesias
“Escape” is a song by Spanish singer Enrique Iglesias, released in 2001 as the lead single from his fifth studio album, also titled “Escape.” The song is a mid-tempo pop track with a Latin rhythm, and it talks about the desire to escape from a monotonous life and find true love.
The lyrics describe the feeling of being stuck in a routine, going through the motions of everyday life, and dreaming of a way out.
6. Tunnel Vision by Kodak Black
“Tunnel Vision” is a song by American rapper Kodak Black that was released as a single from his album “Painting Pictures” in 2017. The song is regarded as trap music and a hip hop subgenre.
Tunnel Vision is a powerful commentary on the current condition of the world, addressing to the feeling of being stuck and trapped in a society that often appears to be working against us.
5. I’m Not Okay (I Promise) by My Chemical Romance
“I’m Not Okay (I Promise)” is a song by American rock band My Chemical Romance, released in 2004 on their album “Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge”. The song was written by the band members and is in the genre of emo/pop punk.
The song is about the struggle of feeling trapped and overwhelmed with emotions, to the point where the singer is contemplating suicide.
4. Trapped by Tupac Shakur
Tupac Shakur’s “Trapped” is a song from his debut album “2Pacalypse Now,” released in 1991. The song falls to the West Coast hip hop genre.
Tupac raps about the struggles of growing up in a tough neighborhood and the challenges of trying to make it out in “Trapped,” which touches on themes of being trapped in a cycle of poverty and violence.
3. Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of by U2
“Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of” is a song by Irish rock band U2 from their album “All That You Can’t Leave Behind,” released in 2000. The song was written in memory of INXS front man Michael Hutchence, who committed suicide in 1997.
The meaning of the song revolves around being stuck in a difficult situation, particularly with regard to mental health struggles.
2. Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Green Day
Green Day’s song “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” is a punk rock song. It was released as a single from their album “American Idiot” in 2004. The song’s title and lyrics also conjure up pictures of a broken and abandoned city, adding to the general feeling of despair and hopelessness.
1. Stuck in the Middle with You by Stealers Wheel
“Stuck in the Middle with You” is a song by Scottish folk rock band Stealers Wheel from their self-titled debut album released in 1972. The lyrics of the song describe the feeling of being stuck in the middle of a challenging situation or decision, with opposing viewpoints and unclear paths. The exciting chorus and upbeat melody contradicts with the somewhat unsettling lyrics, creating a sense of tension and discomfort.
We hope that you found the perfect song that relates to what you’re feeling right now. Being stuck and feeling trapped is just a part of life, but know that you’ll get through it!