No more listening to “Boys only want love if it’s torture,” because nowadays music isn’t just about heartbreak, but it’s about love and acceptance of yourself. How come all the songs about happiness disappeared? Why do artists only make songs that have messages about missing someone?

Thankfully, music artists are getting the hint, and taking the plunge into writing about something that really matters: yourself. Everybody has imperfections that make them  feel insecure about themselves, things that make them question their true beauty. Music leaves such an impact on our lives, that we are lucky to have songs teaching us to embrace our insecurities because that’s what makes us each unique and perfect.

Alessia Cara, 20 year old singer/songwriter released a song earlier this year entitled “Scars to your Beautiful,” its message; love yourself. She sings “you should know you’re beautiful just the way you are. And you don’t have to change a thing, the world could change its heart…” meaning that you shouldn’t change yourself to please others. Others should learn to be pleased by you, whether that’s personality or physical appearance. She mocks Covergirls for their “perfection,” stating “Covergirls don’t cry until their face is made”. Not everyone can look a certain way, we are all different. Why have a world full of Covergirls when you can have something better; a world full of natural beauties. Cara’s point she tries to get across is that you shouldn’t do anything for other people, you should do what makes you happy, and do it for yourself.

Demi Lovato has a similar message with her songs off of her new album Confident which is all about being comfortable with yourself as the singer/songwriter went through an emotional time herself. Lovato struggled with her body weight from a young age, suffering with an eating disorder known as binge eating, and bipolar disorder. As she grew up in front of the lights and cameras, Lovato felt more ostracized and felt the need to look a certain way to please her audience. She spent 2011 in a rehabilitation facility where she learned to accept her beautiful self. That’s what her latest album is all about; it’s about gaining confidence and to be fearless. She sings “What’s wrong with being confident?” because some haters will point out her imperfections to denunciate her appearance, but Lovato embraces those imperfections to boost her confidence, setting an example for her fans.

New artist Hailee Steinfeld wrote “Love Myself” for her EP Haiz to show her listeners that above all people, it’s important to think highly of yourself. She belts “I’m gonna love myself, and I don’t need anyone else! I love me,” showing the importance of accepting yourself. This song went platinum, marking a huge milestone for the new singer/songwriter. The reason for her platinum song isn’t just for the catchy tune, but for the lyrics she beautifully wrote. “Love Myself” has people everywhere dancing and singing along to self acceptance.

Where would we be today without influences by music? Muses for songs are changing, from boyfriends, to friends, to yourself. The first person to ever make you happy is yourself, and no one understands that better than these artists and many more who followed the trend of loving yourself.