Friedrich Nietzsche seems to be just about every other musician’s favorite philosopher. His famous line, “What doesn’t kill me makes me stronger,” shows up in rap, R&B, rock, pop, and loads of heavy metal. Although Justin Bieber is pushing the envelope with his new single, “God Is Dead! God Remains Dead. And We Have Killed Him.”
Here is a music video that shows just how common Nietzsche’s famous phrase is in contemporary music:
Song Credits for those who want an official breakdown:
- Romeo – Promise
- Carlene Carter – Stronger
- Shontelle – Say Hello to Goodbye
- Kelly Clarkson – What Doesn’t Kill You
- Colin James – Stronger
- Asia – Days Like These
- Automatic Loveletter – Story of My Life
- Everyone Dies in Utah – Don’t Just Do Something Stand There
- Finger Eleven – Whatever Doesn’t Kill Me
- Brother Cane – Where Was I to Know
- The Wannadies – December Days
- Maxim – Backward Bullet
- Buckshot LeFonque – Another Day
- Kanye West – Stronger
- Chamillionaire – Rain
- Jay-Z – American Gangster
- 2Pac – Only God Can Judge Me
- Theory of a Deadman – Quiver
- Adema – What Doesn’t Kill Us
- Papa Roach – Kick in the Teeth
- Plain White Ts – Happy Someday
- Pain – Tear It Up
- Kiss – Betrayed
- Sonic Boom Six – What Doesn’t Kill You
- Hoodoo Gurus – Always Something
- Slipknot – Pulse of the Maggots
- Ektomorf – What Doesn’t Kill Me
- Anthrax – Fueled
- Megadeth – Skin O’ My Teeth
- Biohazard – Gravity
- Gandalf – The Cradle
- Metallica – Broken, Beat and Scarred
- Paulini – Scarless
Seriously, while it is sensible to assume songwriters might allude to famous philosophers and the like every once in awhile, that’s a bit more Nietzsche than is comfortable.
– Brian
