10 Underrated Rock And Pop Songs About Obsession

# 10 – No Other Way To Love You – Maria McKee

“No Other Way To Love You” is a compelling track from Maria McKee’s sixth solo album, Late December, released on April 24, 2007. This album marked another chapter in McKee’s already illustrious career, showcasing her unique fusion of rock, folk, and soul with a bold edge that she had honed since her days fronting Lone Justice. Produced by McKee herself, alongside Jim Akin, the album reflects both personal introspection and passionate, raw emotion, and “No Other Way To Love You” stands as one of the most intense tracks on the record.

# 9 – Hey, I’m Gonna Be Your Girl – The Donnas

“Hey, I’m Gonna Be Your Girl” by The Donnas is a short yet punchy track from their self-titled debut album, released in 1997. This song is an energetic burst of raw rock and pop-punk attitude, clocking in at just under two minutes. It opens the album with a strong statement of youthful infatuation and obsession, setting the tone for a band known for its unapologetic embrace of both fun and intensity. Produced by Darin Rafaelli, the album was recorded as part of the emerging punk revival scene of the late 1990s, exemplifying the band’s knack for blending garage rock with pop sensibilities.

The song’s lyrical content revolves around obsession, a recurring theme in many rock songs, but here it is portrayed with a playful yet relentless energy. The narrator’s fixation on a “pretty boy” is immediate and overwhelming, driving her to the point of madness (“You’re just making me go insane”). The chorus, “Hey, I’m gonna be your girl,” is both a declaration and a command, embodying the raw, youthful confidence that became a trademark of The Donnas’ early work. The entire track pulses with a kind of reckless infatuation, making it an ideal candidate for a list focused on songs about obsession. Unlike darker interpretations of obsession, the song balances light-heartedness with the overwhelming desire to claim the object of affection, giving it a distinct tone compared to more menacing obsession-themed tracks.

# 8 – His Goodlooking Girlfriend – The Undertones

“His Goodlooking Girlfriend” by The Undertones, from their 1981 album Positive Touch, captures a unique narrative of envy, obsession, and superficiality within social circles. Recorded in Wisseloord Studios in the Netherlands between January and February 1981, the album was produced by Roger Bechirian and marked a shift in the band’s sound towards more intricate arrangements and lyrical depth. Released in May 1981, Positive Touch reached number 17 on the UK Albums Chart, signaling a departure from their earlier, more straightforward punk rock roots into a more mature and polished sound.

The song itself explores the theme of obsession through the lens of popularity, relationships, and social pressures. The lyrics describe a man who has suddenly become popular because of his attractive girlfriend, Marie. His newfound status, however, is entirely due to his association with her, and everyone’s focus is on her rather than him. “Everybody wants to know his good looking girlfriend” serves as a repeated refrain, underscoring the central idea that his social standing is tied not to his personality but to his partner’s appearance. The song masterfully captures the subtle insecurities that arise in relationships where one partner feels overshadowed by the other.

Read More: Top 10 Undertones Songs

# 7 – Special To Me – Jessica Harper

“Special to Me” by Jessica Harper is a pivotal song from the 1974 rock musical Phantom of the Paradise, directed by Brian De Palma and scored by Paul Williams. The film, a rock-horror cult classic, centers around themes of obsession, ambition, and betrayal, and the song perfectly encapsulates these emotions. In Phantom of the Paradise, Harper plays Phoenix, the innocent, talented singer who becomes the object of both admiration and manipulation by the lead characters. “Special to Me” is sung by Phoenix in one of her key moments, where she expresses the emotional conflict she feels toward fame, ambition, and love.

Recorded in 1974, the soundtrack features the distinctive rock-pop fusion style typical of the time, with Williams’ sophisticated songwriting blending rock instrumentation with Broadway-style melodies. “Special to Me” serves as a ballad that contrasts Phoenix’s innocence against the darker forces at play, particularly the manipulative character Swan, who uses her for his own ambitions. The song showcases Harper’s delicate vocal delivery, underlined by poignant lyrics about the dangers of losing oneself to obsession. Harper’s performance here is understated yet powerful, creating a haunting, emotional moment in the film.

Read More: Top 10 Paul Williams Songs

# 6 – In Need – Sheryl Crow

“In Need” by Sheryl Crow, released as the B-side to her 1996 single “Everyday is a Winding Road,” is a haunting ballad that explores themes of longing, emotional vulnerability, and unfulfilled desire. Though it never made it onto one of her studio albums, the song carries the same emotional depth and rawness that characterizes much of Crow’s work, making it a hidden gem within her discography. The track provides a deeply intimate look at Crow’s lyrical style, highlighting the tension between wanting connection and fearing the potential consequences of love.

Recorded during the sessions for her Sheryl Crow album, which was released in 1996, “In Need” was produced by Crow herself alongside her frequent collaborator, Bill Bottrell. The song’s production, though understated, emphasizes the emotional weight of the lyrics. Crow’s distinct voice carries the listener through the delicate balance of need and hesitation that lies at the heart of the song.

# 4 – You Can’t Quit Me Baby – Queens of the Stone Age

“You Can’t Quit Me Baby” is a dark and brooding track from Queens of the Stone Age’s 1998 debut album Queens of the Stone Age. Released on September 22, 1998, the album was primarily recorded by founding member Josh Homme, who also handled vocals, guitar, bass, and production duties, alongside Alfredo Hernández on drums. The album was produced by Homme and Joe Barresi at Monkey Studios in California. Queens of the Stone Age marked a departure from Homme’s previous work with the desert rock band Kyuss, pushing toward a more experimental rock sound that integrated elements of stoner rock, metal, and krautrock.

Lyrically, “You Can’t Quit Me Baby” reflects the obsessive and toxic nature of a one-sided relationship. The song’s narrator seems driven by a manic desire to be noticed, unable to let go of their fixation on their partner, even when it leads to self-destructive behavior. Lines like “Followed you home, crawled in your window” and “Slashed and I cut, I bled in the sink” convey a sense of desperation and intrusion. The song builds with a slow, hypnotic tempo, drawing listeners into the narrator’s spiraling emotional state. The repeated refrain of “You’re solid gold, I’ll see you in hell” reflects the dangerous allure and possessiveness the narrator feels toward the object of their obsession. The juxtaposition of admiration and darkness underscores the song’s thematic focus on the more sinister side of infatuation.

# 3 – Living Next Door to Alice – Smokie

“Living Next Door to Alice” by Smokie is one of the band’s most enduring hits, released in 1976 as part of their rise to international success. Written by Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman, the song tells the story of unrequited love, where the protagonist reflects on his 24-year-long friendship with his neighbor, Alice, and his unspoken romantic feelings for her. The melancholic moment comes when Alice leaves, and the narrator realizes he’s missed his chance to express his love. Musically, the song fits within the soft rock and pop rock genre and became a significant hit worldwide, charting in multiple countries, including reaching number five in the UK Singles Chart and number one in several other nations such as Austria, Germany, and Ireland. It became a standout moment for Smokie in the mid-1970s, highlighting their knack for crafting emotionally resonant, catchy pop rock songs.

The song’s theme of unfulfilled love and obsession makes it a prime example of emotional fixation, fitting seamlessly into a list of songs about obsession. Its repetitive chorus, “For twenty-four years, I’ve been living next door to Alice,” emphasizes the protagonist’s inability to move on from Alice even as she departs from his life. The final verse introduces Sally, a friend who had also been waiting for 24 years, revealing that the protagonist was so consumed with Alice that he overlooked someone who truly cared for him. This twist at the end adds another layer of emotional depth, highlighting the sometimes-blinding nature of obsession.

Read More: Top 10 Smokie Songs

# 2 – Your House – Alanis Morissette

“Your House” is the hidden track on Alanis Morissette’s iconic Jagged Little Pill album, released on June 13, 1995. The track showcases a raw, acoustic delivery that diverges from the album’s electrified rock-pop style. Unlike the other tracks on Jagged Little Pill, which are heavily produced, “Your House” stands out for its stripped-down sound and a hauntingly intimate vocal performance by Morissette. Produced by Glen Ballard, who was responsible for the album’s polished hits, this hidden track was recorded during the same sessions at Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles. The song is an acoustic a cappella track, which gives it a uniquely vulnerable feel, amplifying the obsessive narrative woven through its lyrics.

Lyrically, “Your House” tells a story of unreciprocated love bordering on obsession. The protagonist enters her lover’s house uninvited, walking through the halls, exploring personal spaces, and even playing their music. The invasion of privacy escalates as she puts on their clothes, dances in the shower, and lies in their bed. Morissette’s vocal delivery conveys a mixture of desperation, obsession, and regret, as the protagonist becomes increasingly aware of her overstepping boundaries. The song builds to a devastating emotional climax when the protagonist discovers a love letter addressed to someone else, not her. The song’s closing moments, where she pleads for forgiveness for crying in the shower and bed, underline the intense vulnerability and emotional rawness that Morissette captures.

# 1 – I Want You – Elvis Costello

“I Want You” by Elvis Costello, from his 1986 album Blood & Chocolate, is a haunting exploration of obsession, jealousy, and the intense emotional turmoil of romantic betrayal. The song’s lyrics, delivered with raw vulnerability, delve deep into the narrator’s obsessive desire for someone who has been unfaithful. This emotional intensity is reflected in both the lyrics and the music, making “I Want You” one of the most emotionally charged tracks in Costello’s catalog.

Recorded in early 1986 with his backing band, The Attractions, the song features a minimalist musical arrangement that highlights the dark, almost claustrophobic atmosphere. Costello’s deliberate choice to keep the melody sparse, paired with his dissonant guitar solo and the repetition of “I want you” throughout the song, creates a hypnotic yet unsettling effect. The recording took place at Westside Studios in London under the production of Nick Lowe, a longtime collaborator of Costello’s who helped craft the eerie, dirge-like sound of the track. This song, like many on Blood & Chocolate, taps into a more aggressive, unpolished sound compared to Costello’s earlier work.

Lyrically, “I Want You” addresses the torment of infidelity. The narrator’s obsession is palpable, with lines like “It’s the way your shoulders shake and what they’re shaking for” and “Did you call his name out as he held you down?” expressing both anger and anguish. Costello repeatedly declares “I want you” after recounting these painful details, reinforcing the narrator’s inability to let go of his desire despite the betrayal. The song’s slow build, with Costello’s vocals becoming more anguished and raw, mirrors the emotional descent of the character as he grapples with his feelings of inadequacy and rage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pp8RjKOID1I

Updated September 13, 2025