30 Songs About Jealousy, from Jolene to Jealous Guy

What is the most famous song about jealousy?

"Jolene" by Dolly Parton is the most famous song about jealousy, a woman pleading with a beautiful rival not to take her man. "Jealous Guy" by John Lennon is the classic song of regret about jealous behavior, and "Mr. Brightside" by The Killers is the modern anthem of jealousy that crowds still scream along to.

Classic songs about jealousy

1. "Jealous Heart", Tex Ritter: a 1940s country hit later sung by Connie Francis.
2. "Your Cheatin' Heart", Hank Williams: the classic song about a faithless lover.
3. "Run for Your Life", The Beatles: an early, possessive song John Lennon later regretted writing.
4. "I Heard It Through the Grapevine", Marvin Gaye: suspicion spreading through rumors.
5. "Suspicious Minds", Elvis Presley: a relationship trapped by distrust.
6. "Jealous Guy", John Lennon: an honest apology for jealous behavior.
7. "Jolene", Dolly Parton: begging a rival to leave her man alone.
8. "The Jealous Kind", Joe Cocker: a soulful confession of insecurity.

Rock songs about jealous love

9. "Jealousy", Queen: a gentle ballad from the album Jazz.
10. "Every Breath You Take", The Police: a love song that is really about obsession.
11. "Jealous Again", The Black Crowes: a swaggering debut single.
12. "Possession", Sarah McLachlan: a haunting song inspired by obsessive fan letters.
13. "You Oughta Know", Alanis Morissette: raw anger at an ex who moved on.
14. "Mr. Brightside", The Killers: the ultimate song about imagining the worst.

Pop and R&B songs about jealousy

15. "Jealousy", Pet Shop Boys: a dramatic synth-pop ballad.
16. "Jealousy", Natalie Merchant: a sharp song from her solo debut.
17. "Jealous", Beyoncé: an R&B song about the jealousy inside a long relationship.
18. "Jealous", Nick Jonas: a 2014 hit about feeling protective of a partner.
19. "Jealous", Labrinth: a piano ballad about watching an ex move on.
20. "Picture to Burn", Taylor Swift: a fiery early country-pop hit.
21. "Better Than Revenge", Taylor Swift: a pop-punk song about a rival.

Country songs about jealousy

22. "Before He Cheats", Carrie Underwood: jealousy turned into revenge on a pickup truck.
23. "Fist City", Loretta Lynn: a fierce warning to a woman flirting with her husband.

Modern songs about envy and comparison

24. "drivers license", Olivia Rodrigo: heartbreak and jealousy of an ex's new girlfriend.
25. "jealousy, jealousy", Olivia Rodrigo: comparing yourself to perfect lives online.
26. "Envy Me", Calboy: a rap song about other people's jealousy.
27. "Jealous (I Ain't with It)", Chromeo: a funky, tongue-in-cheek confession.
28. "Kill Bill", SZA: a darkly funny song about an ex's new girlfriend.
29. "good 4 u", Olivia Rodrigo: sarcastic anger at an ex who moved on fast.
30. "Happier", Marshmello and Bastille: letting go so someone else can be happy.

Jealousy or envy: what is the difference?

The two words are often used the same way, but they describe different feelings. Jealousy is the fear of losing something you have, usually a person, to someone else, which is why it shows up in so many love songs. Envy is wanting something someone else has, like their success, looks or life, which is the feeling behind modern songs about social media and comparison. Many of the best songs mix the two.

Why is jealousy called the green-eyed monster?

The phrase comes from William Shakespeare's play Othello, written around 1603, in which the villain Iago warns of jealousy as a "green-eyed monster". Othello's jealousy, stirred up by lies, leads to tragedy, and the image has been part of the language ever since. Songwriters still borrow it, and green remains the color of jealousy in English.

The story behind Jolene

Dolly Parton has said "Jolene" was inspired by a bank teller who flirted with her husband, Carl Dean, early in their marriage, combined with the name of a little girl who asked for her autograph. Released in 1973, it became one of her signature songs and has been covered by artists from The White Stripes to Miley Cyrus, and Parton has often told the story with a laugh in interviews.

The story behind Jealous Guy

John Lennon first wrote the melody in 1968 as "Child of Nature" during the Beatles' stay in India, then rewrote it as "Jealous Guy" for his 1971 album Imagine. He later described it as an honest admission of his own jealousy and possessiveness. Roxy Music's 1981 cover, recorded as a tribute after his death, went to number one in the UK.

Two sides of the same feeling

Some songs about jealousy are confessions, sung by the person who feels it: "Jealous Guy", "The Jealous Kind" and "Mr. Brightside" admit the insecurity and the spiral of imagined scenes. Others are sung about a jealous partner, like "Suspicious Minds", where distrust traps both people in a relationship that cannot move forward. Listening to both sides is a reminder that jealousy hurts the person who feels it as much as the person it is aimed at.

Jealousy between friends

Jealousy is not only romantic. Friends can feel it about success, popularity or a new friendship that seems to leave them behind. "jealousy, jealousy" captures the quiet comparison of scrolling through other people's lives, and "Better Than Revenge" turns rivalry into a pop-punk shout. Songs like these can open an honest conversation about feeling left out.

The jealousy behind Rumours

One of the most famous examples of jealousy in music history played out inside Fleetwood Mac. While making the 1977 album Rumours, two couples in the band were breaking up, and their feelings poured into songs like "Go Your Own Way" and "Dreams". The tension became part of the album's legend, and Rumours became one of the best-selling albums of all time.

Jealous anthems for karaoke

Few songs are as fun to belt out as a jealous anthem. "Jolene", "Mr. Brightside", "Before He Cheats" and "You Oughta Know" are karaoke favorites, and "Jealous Guy" is a softer pick for someone with a gentle voice.

A jealousy breakup playlist

After a breakup, songs about jealousy can help you name what you feel. Start with "drivers license" and "Mr. Brightside", add "You Oughta Know" for the anger and "Jealous" by Labrinth for the sadness, and finish with songs about moving on. See our songs about exes and songs about betrayal for more.

Songs for moving past jealousy

Jealousy usually grows from insecurity, so songs that build confidence are a good antidote. Pair this list with our songs about confidence and self-love, and if the jealousy is about someone who never loved you back, our songs about unrequited love.

Healthy ways to handle jealousy in a relationship

A little jealousy is normal, but it helps to talk about it rather than act on it. Name the feeling calmly, ask what would help you feel secure and listen to your partner's side. Many couples find that small habits, like checking in during a busy week or sharing plans openly, ease jealous worries. If jealousy turns into control, threats or fear, that is a sign to seek support from a counselor or a trusted friend.

A song about the love you trust

A personalized song can turn the opposite of jealousy into music: a song about trust, loyalty and how secure you feel with the person you love, with both your names in the chorus. It makes a meaningful anniversary or "just because" gift.

How to create a personalized song

1. Choose a style from 14 genres: pop, R&B, acoustic and more.
2. Add their name.
3. Share three moments that show how much you trust each other.
4. Review the lyrics and edit or regenerate them for free before any music is made.
5. Listen to 4 free 45-second previews and choose your favorite.

The full 3 to 4 minute song costs $35.99, or $40.99 for Premium with four full versions and editable lyrics. You get the MP3, a gift page and the lyrics as a PDF.

Tell them how secure you feel with them: create a song and hear four previews for free.