21 Best Songs About Haters

The best songs about haters tackle this sensitive topic from a range of perspectives, from the regretful bully to those on the receiving end of unwarranted hate.

This ubiquitous problem has inspired singer-songwriters and bands of all music genres, with hip-hop and contemporary pop among the most popular styles.

Continue reading to discover the best songs covering the topic of haters from some of the most iconic and well-loved artists and musicians of all time.

The 21 Best Songs About Haters

Haters inspire strong and passionate feelings from the people they target, which is reflected in the powerful lyrics of the songs on the topic.

This playlist includes tracks that reflect these heightened emotions from bands and singers who have earned their reputation as world-class within their chosen genres.

Without further ado, here’s our playlist of the 23 best songs about haters:

21. “Don’t You Just Hate Those People?” – Jennette McCurdy

“Don’t You Just Hate Those People?” by Jennette McCurdy was released on her first and only self-titled album in 2012.

“Don’t you just hate those people? Don’t they make you wanna scream?” she sings, continuing, “Listen to ’em baby talkin’, oh, ain’t that sweet?”

It’s a powerful piece of music that captures the feeling of envy from an emotional bully and the bitter feeling of resentment that sits at the core.

20. “Bad Day” – Daniel Powter

Alternative indie-pop singer-songwriter Daniel Powter’s great song about haters picked up a nomination for “Best Male Pop Vocal Performance” at the Grammy Awards.

In it, Powter sings about how the magic is lost when someone has a bad day, exploring this not-so-lighthearted topic with a depth of feeling.

It’s another song about haters that was featured on the artist’s self-titled album, hitting the charts in 2005. It became the best-known song of Powter’s career.

19. “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” – Kelly Clarkson

The Kelly Clarkson song “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” is often considered to be among the most powerful songs about surviving ever recorded.

It’s also a catchy tune that speaks to all the haters in the world and how dealing with them makes you a better person who can stand tall and hold your own.

Nominated for a Grammy Award for “Song of the Year,” “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” is not only Clarkson’s anti-bullying anthem but also a timeless classic.

18. “Buzzkill” – Luke Bryan

We’re heading into the country music genre for our next pick of great songs about haters to add to your playlist today.

“Buzzkill” by Luke Bryan features the powerful lyrics, “Cause you’re a buzzkill every time you come around, those beers might as well have been poured out.”

Featured on the album Spring Break… Here to Party, it’s a compelling piece of music from the most awarded singer-songwriter working in country music.

17. “H.A.T.E.U.” – Mariah Carey

One of the biggest stars in the history of the music industry, Mariah Carey has written and performed some of the best songs of all time over the course of her career.

“H.A.T.E.U.” is a lesser-known song from her discography, but a great example of her inimitable vocal style and impressive range.

The track was released in 2009 on the album Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel. It hit the charts with a vibrant and polished official music video.

16. “Bitch” – Meredith Brooks

Meredith Brooks released the heartbreaking song “Bitch,” an alternative rock song from the album Blurring the Edges, in 1997 at the height of her career.

“Yesterday I cried / you must have been relieved,” Brooks sings in this incredibly moving song, continuing, “To see the softer side, I can understand how you’d be so confused.”

The lead single from her debut album, “Bitch” was inspired by her feelings of frustration with life and the writings of influential psychoanalyst Carl Jung.

15. “F**k You” – Lily Allen

Lily Allen delivers a typically expletive-laden song about haters with her popular release “F**k You,” which was released and edited for radio in 2009.

There’s also an explicit version of the song, which includes the swear word featured in the song’s title, along with unexpected references to the superhero Batman.

Lily Allen has enjoyed a hugely successful music career with many chart hits, renowned for her musical experimentation and fearlessness.

14. “Haters” – TLC

Mega duo TLC is also no stranger to critical and commercial acclaim, having been nominated for several Grammy Awards and picking up four wins.

“Haters,” released in 2016, is another iconic song about haters that includes strong and tragic symbolism in the lyrics and a superb melody.

It’s widely considered to be an anthem for self-empowerment, perfect for bullying victims to listen to if they’re attempting to overcome adversity.

13. “She Hates Me” – Puddle Of Mudd

“She Hates Me” by Puddle of Mudd brings us back to the world of indie pop and soft rock and the response to dealing with a heartless ex-girlfriend.

“She was queen for about an hour/  after that, shit got sour,” the moving lyrics sing, continuing with, “She took all I ever had / no sign of guilt, not feeling bad, no.”

Puddle of Mudd released “She Hates Me” on the 2001 album Come Clean, which marked their debut into the mainstream music industry scene.

12. “Haters” – Hillary Duff

A pop song hit from 2004 by Hilary Duff exploring the theme of haters keeps things nice and simple with a title and melody to match.

“Haters” covers the subject with an underlying catchy beat with words that recount the typical emotional upset people feel when dealing with jealous and bitter people.

The song was released on her third studio album, which performed moderately in the charts and represented a continuing learning experience for the singer.

11. “Wish Wish” – DJ Khaled, Cardi B, 21 Savage

“Wish Wish” is a powerful hip-hop song by DJ Khaled, which featured lyrics and vocals by 21 Savage and pop icon Cardi B.

It’s a classic diss track in the style of the very best hip-hop that features rapid-fire lyrics about wealth, material possessions, and the envy felt by rivals.

Another catchy song that was released with a dynamic and well-produced official music video, “Wish Wish,” was released on Father of Asahd, DJ Khaled’s 2019 album.

10. “Fighter” – Christina Aguilera

As you might expect from the title, “Fighting” by Christina Aguilera is considered among the best songs about fighting, as well as a great song about haters.

“You were there by my side, always down for the ride, but your joy ride just came down in flames,” Christina Aguilera sings, “‘Cause your greed sold me out in shame.”

It’s an electro-pop smash hit that stands as a defiant challenge to school bullies from a singer with an iconic schoolgirl aesthetic in the vein of Britney Spears.

9. “Don’t Laugh At Me” – Mark Willis

“Don’t Laugh at Me” by Mark Willis is another fine country music song that was released in 1998, along with a moving official music video.

In it, the song tells the story of Willis growing up with a teenage mother and his feelings after bullies assaulted him at school and called him names.

Willis isn’t afraid to explore his own self-loathing in response to his experiences while at the same time affirming his belief in God as his savior.

8. “Check Yo Self” – Ice Cube

Another hugely popular rap song about haters is the Ice Cube hit release “Check Yo Self,” released on The Predator album in 1992.

Ice Cube teamed up with Das EFX for “Check Yo Self” and took the art form of rap in exciting new directions, sampling “The New Style” by the Beastie Boys.

A chart-topping track that cemented Ice Cube’s reputation as one of the hottest rappers of the 1990s, “Check Yo Self” references the film Boyz n the Hood in the official video.

7. “Gives You Hell” – The All-American Rejects

The All-American Rejects perfected their combination of teen-friendly rock and alternative indie music with their track “Gives You Hell.”

The song tells the story of a particular hater who resents everything the narrator has and responds with, “When you see my face, hope it gives you hell.”

First formed in 1999, The All-American Rejects have continued to release hit singles and albums since, as well as performing on popular tours around America.

6. “We Can’t Stop” – Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus released “We Can’t Stop” in 2013 on the album Bangerz, a lively summer song with infectious melodies and lyrics.

It’s as much a celebration of how young people like to party, no matter what their haters think, and the enduring pursuit of fun and games in the flower of youth.

“We Can’t Stop” was a big hit for Cyrus, one of her many popular songs to have reached the Billboard Hot 100 Chart over the course of her evolving career.

5. “Swish Swish” – Katy Perry Ft. Nicki Minaj

Like Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry, and Nicki Minaj are no strangers to chart-topping success, which bode well for their collaboration “Swish Swish.”

While the lyrics for this song might seem nonsensical, their delivery and combination with the instrumentation and percussion lend them vitality.

If you enjoyed “Swish Swish” by Katy Perry featuring Nicki Minaj, there’s an excellent remix released through Universal Music by Valentino Khan.

4. “The Real Slim Shady” – Eminem

“The Real Slim Shady” is arguably the best-known release by Eminem on the 2000 album The Marshall Mathers LP.

His biggest hit at that point in his music career, “The Real Slim Shady,” represented a confirmation of Eminem’s unique rapping style and eloquent lyricism.

It’s a superb companion song to his release with Pink, “Revenge,” a great song about jealousy that shares similar themes to “The Real Slim Shady.”

3. “Dem Haters” – Rihanna

For Rihanna, “Dem Haters” are people who should be ostracized from your friendship and family circle as soon as possible before they do any damage.

The song’s lyrics sing about how “They keep evil thoughts in their hearts, what you don’t know. You can’t let them knock your hustle, not letting them know how much you struggle.”

Rihanna collaborated with Dwane Husbands on “Dem Haters,” which was included on the track listing for her 2006 album A Girl Like Me.

2. “Born This Way” – Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga stands defiant against all the haters and addresses them directly in her song “Born This Way,” released in 2010.

“I’m beautiful in my way ’cause God makes no mistakes,” Lady Gaga sings, continuing, “I’m on the right track, baby, I was born this way, don’t hide yourself in regret.”

A classic pop song with a strong message that encourages listeners to avoid negative people, it’s another of the more popular anti-bullying anthems.

1. “Mean” – Taylor Swift

Last but by no means least, we’re highlighting one of the most popular songs from the discography of the iconic pop-country singer-songwriter Taylor Swift.

Like the best karaoke songs written by Taylor Swift, “Mean” is a masterclass in songwriting, written in response to scathing reviews she received from blogger Bob Leftsetz.

Taylor Swift takes on the hater’s perspective and the nasty name-calling and eviscerates it with a searing piece of music you won’t forget in a hurry.

Summary

That’s a wrap of this playlist of our top recommendations for the best tunes about haters from some of the biggest singer-songwriters in the music industry.

It’s a common theme that has been widely explored in rap, pop, and indie music, not to mention being covered by some of the icons of the country music scene.

Whether you’re a fan of mainstream music or prefer more niche indie bands, we hope you’ve found a track here that suits your taste.

What’s the best song about haters, in your opinion? Leave a comment below.