Immortality might not be something we can achieve in this life. But many religions believe in an eternal afterlife of the soul. And just because we can’t technically become immortal beings doesn’t mean we can’t dream.
Jump ahead to these sections:
- Rock Songs About Immortality
- Metal Songs About Immortality
- Pop Songs About Immortality
- Hip-Hop Songs About Immortality
- Other Contemporary Songs About Immortality
If you’re interested in immortality, whether it’s in the fantastic sense or in a spiritual capacity, you might be interested in these songs about immortality. We’ve put together 30 of the most popular songs about living forever for your immortality playlist.
Rock Songs About Immortality
We’ll start with the most popular rock songs about immortality and living forever.
1. “Forever Young” by Bob Dylan
“Forever Young” might be a song urging the songwriter’s children to stay young in spirit, even as they grow up. But it could also be about living forever if you choose to take the tune literally. And you have a wide selection of artists who have covered the track over the years.
2. “Who Wants to Live Forever” by Queen
Queen reflects on the idea of living forever and whether anyone should truly want to do so. With lyrics like, “Who wants to live forever? Who? Who dares to love forever, oh, when love must die?” it really makes you think.
3. “Immortality” by Pearl Jam
Originally written by Pearl Jam vocalist Eddie Vedder, “Immortality” reached the 10th spot on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Tracks chart when it was released in 1995. Some listeners have speculated that the lyrics refer to the early death of fellow ‘90s rockstar, Kurt Cobain. However, Vedder denied that idea.
4. “Live Forever” by Oasis
Oasis tells us, “You and I are gonna live forever, gonna live forever, gonna live forever,” in the band’s aptly-titled tune.
5. “Highwayman” by The Highwaymen
The spiritual lyrics of “Highwayman” describe the endless, immortal journey of an eponymous highwayman and his reincarnations throughout time.
Metal Songs About Immortality
There may be an entire sub-genre called “death” metal, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t metal songs about dodging death entirely. Here are some of the best metal songs about immortality.
6. “After Forever” by Black Sabbath
Released in 1971, After Forever focuses on Christian themes of eternity and immortality, which might be surprising given the band’s name. But the lyric’s writer, band member Geezer Butler, was a proclaimed Catholic.
7. “Immortal” by Eve to Adam
In their take on immortality, Eve to Adam belts the lyrics, “I am immortal, I’ll never fade away. I’m a legacy that lives beyond, far beyond the grave.”
8. “The Thing That Should Not Be” by Metallica
Metallica’s “The Thing That Should Not Be” is about a dark creature that’s timeless, ageless, and will live forever in madness. It’s a unique take on immortality and what living so long might do to a creature’s mind, body, and spirit.
9. “Army of the Immortals” by Manowar
“Army of the Immortals” isn’t about just a single immortal being; it’s about an entire army. But it isn’t an army in the traditional sense. This song is a tribute to Manowar’s listeners and fans, whom they consider “immortals.”
10. “Immortal” by Adema
Adema’s take on immortality is a bit more straightforward, boasting, “You can’t kill me, I’m immortal.”
Pop Songs About Immortality
If you’re a fan of pop music and you’re interested in songs about immortality, give the songs below a listen.
11. “Immortality” by Celine Dion
Celine Dion reflects on what it would be like if we never had to say goodbye. She shares how she’ll keep the memory of “you and me” inside, which might be her idea of immortality.
12. “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever” by Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift and Zayn Malik recorded “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever” for the soundtrack of “Fifty Shades Darker.” But if you’re a fan of either of these pop powerhouses, it’s a great addition to your playlist about immortality.
13. “Immortal Flame” by Katy Perry
Katy Perry’s “Immortal Flame” might have been written for the mobile game, Final Fantasy Brave Exvius. But in it, she gives an apt depiction of why someone might want to live for eternity with lyrics like, “I could die in your arms tonight, but it would be a shame, ‘cause I want to live a thousand years and be your immortal flame.”
14. “Viva Forever” by Spice Girls
The Spice Girls offered this ode to living forever (viva means “live”) in 1997. The lyrics depict immortality as “Everlasting, like the sun, live forever, for the moment, ever searching for the one.”
15. “Immortals” by Fall Out Boy
Fall Out Boy might not understand what it means to be “immortal,” with the lyrics, “‘Cause we could be immortals, immortals, just not for long, for long.” But they recorded this tune for the 2014 Disney movie, “Big Here 6,” so that’s OK.
Hip-Hop Songs About Immortality
If you’re going to live forever, you might as well dance to some hip-hop beats along the way. Here are some of the best hip-hop songs about immortality.
16. “Immortal” by Kid Cudi
Kid Cudi starts “Immortal” by declaring, “I am the smartest man alive!” He goes on to describe how he feels immortal, living his life, “as if I got powers.”
17. “Forever Begins” by Common
Common describes the hardships of growing up in a modern-day ghetto and other painful situations. Then, he adds in notes referring to Christian immortality and immortality on Earth with lyrics like, “Common good is forever, God’s memory is forever.”
18. “Young Forever” by Jay-Z and Mr. Hudson
Jay-Z and Mr. Hudson offer an updated take on the classic, “Forever Young.” But instead of leaving the question of “Do you really want to live forever?” open-ended, as usual, the rapper answers, “Yes.”
19. “Immortal ft. The Game” by Trippie Redd
Trippie Redd and The Game might really think they can live forever, or maybe they have a different take on what it means to be “immortal.” Lines like “They don't know what it's like in this life to live forever” make you wonder.
20. “Immortal” by Apathy
Apathy starts off strong with, “I am immortal, I have inside me blood of kings,” and continues to elaborate on that idea.
Other Contemporary Songs About Immortality
Here are even more contemporary songs about immortality, from a range of genres, to complete your immortality playlist.
21. “My Immortal” by Evanescence
Released in 2003 at the height of edgy-emotional pop-rock ballads, “My Immortal” is one of Evanescence’s best-known hits. It’s essentially about a haunting spirit that lives with you forever.
22. “The Cowboy Lives Forever” by The Dixie Chicks
“The Cowboy Lives Forever” isn’t about human immortality. Instead, it’s about the immortal idea of “the Cowboy,” in faded blue jeans, wide-brimmed hats, and leather.
23. “Gone” by Switchfoot
Switchfoot’s “Gone” is an inspirational track urging us all to live today like our last day. At the same time, it tells us, “Try to prove me wrong and pretend like you’re immortal.”
24. “Angel Band” by The Monkees
“Angel Band” is an American gospel song, recorded and covered by many bands and artists. One of the most surprising renditions is that offered by the late-60s pop-rock band, The Monkees. “Angel Band” features the words, “O come Angel Band, come and around me stand, O bear me away on your snow wings to my immortal home, O bear me away on your snow wings to my immortal home,” speaking about spiritual immortality.
25. “Immortal Pleasures” by Ace Frehley
Ace Frehley’s 2014 metal ballad tells us, “I've got my guitar, so catch me if you can. Immortal Pleasures, Immortal plans, an Immortal life, fulfilled my demands.”
26. “Immortal” by We the Kings
Indie band We the Kings gives us this 2018 song about living together, forever.
27. “Live Forever” by Hollywood Undead
Hollywood Undead released “Live Forever” in 2015 as part of their “Day of the Dead” album. In it, the lead singer tells us, “It’s every breath that I treasure” and “Tonight I’ll live forever,” describing a temporary feeling of immortality.
28. “Who Wants to Live Forever” by The Tenors
In 2015, The Tenors covered Queen’s “Who Wants to Live Forever,” joining them in questioning whether immortality is really so desirable after all.
29. “If We Were Vampires” by Jason Isbell
Everyone knows vampires live forever. But in “If We Were Vampires,” Jason Isbell mourns the fact that humans aren’t so lucky. He describes how hard it is to know that, as a couple, you can’t live together forever.
30. “I’m Immortal” by Trash Can Sinatras
Scottish Indie band The Trash Can Sinatras gave us their take on immortality in 1993.
31. “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever” by Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi tells it exactly like it is with, “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever,” describing how it might be better to just enjoy life for the short time you have it.
Music About Immortality
Human beings aren’t immortal, and we all have to face death eventually. In coming to terms with that fate, listening to songs about death, or even songs about heaven and the afterlife can help. But songs about immortality can also add value to a “mortality”-themed playlist.
They help us envision what life might be like if it lasted forever, and to imagine what might happen after death. All of the songs about immortality we included above do all of that, and they’re fun to listen to, too.