Carl Jung’s 12 Character Archetypes as Songs
The character archetypes aren’t just for scientists — they can help you understand yourself and others better, and even help you find your new favorite song.
Written by Gracie Warhurst
Illustrated by Izabella Padilla
Psychologist Carl Jung theorized that 12 primary characters encapsulate the most commonly occurring personalities. In 1919, he named these characters the “archetypes,” setting into motion a formula to understand the human condition. Both psychologists and authors alike have used this formula to categorize people, recognize their motivations, and predict their behavior. But really anyone, including you, can gain insight from Jung’s theory. To help you self-reflect, or psychoanalyze your friends, here are songs that perfectly capture each of the 12 character archetypes.
THE INNOCENT — “SATURDAY SUN” BY VANCE JOY
The Innocent is child-like and impressionable. They can bring a lot of joy to a narrative with their sunny outlook, however, their positivity can easily lead to naivety. People who embody The Innocent usually break tension with their kindness, which perseveres even in difficult circumstances. “Saturday Sun” by Vance Joy encapsulates these traits in both its message and tone. The upbeat drums and major key guitar both create a care-free, happy sound. The lyrics, “Don't care what it costs / No ray of sunlight's ever lost / Ever lost,” pair well with the instrumentals and enforce these same feelings.
THE SAGE — “SOLDIER, POET, KING” BY THE OH HELLOS
For The Sage, intelligence and spirituality invigorate them. When someone has a question or needs direction, The Sage can advise and guide them. In popular media, Yoda and Gandalf are good representations of this archetype. Despite their seemingly endless pool of knowledge, Sages live most of their lives inwardly and can confine themselves with overthinking. Their storytelling nature inspires the song, “Soldier, Poet, King” by The Oh Hellos. In the song, Maggie Heath sings a folk tale about each figure in the title, similar to how a Sage would speak to another character. The whimsical, quirky melody and bouncing percussion create an ethereal effect, similar to how outsiders view a guiding figure.
THE EXPLORER — “WIND IN OUR SAIL” BY WEEZER
Trailblazers in every sense of the word, Explorers are driven by curiosity and ambition. This archetype best fits a person embarking on a self-serving adventure or pursuing new discoveries. They strive to color outside the lines and create their own rules. These traits make The Explorer a great candidate for a main character, however, their independent nature can also contribute to a feeling of isolation. Weezer describes a kind of expedition in “Wind in Our Sail.” The lyrics, “We got the wind in our sail / Like Darwin on the Beagle” are personal to Explorers such as Charles Darwin himself. Ever-changing major-minor progressions and call and response chorus are perfect accompaniment for a solo adventurer like the Explorer.
THE REBEL — “DEVIL LIKE ME” BY RAINBOW KITTEN SURPRISE
The Rebel is just that — someone who doesn’t conform to the set rules in a society. They strive for creating change and upholding their personal ideals. However, this doesn’t always lend itself to peace. Rebels can just as easily cause conflict as they can trigger progress. A person or character that fits the mold of The Rebel is usually seen in the middle of any event or climax. They’re the ones who set the rising action into motion. “Devil Like Me” by Rainbow Kitten Surprise puts words to the internal conflict of a Rebel. The lyrics, “You see the devil don't mean to be evil” shows how the character can cause harm while actually meaning to do good. The pulsing drums, like heartbeats of a person at the center of the storm, encapsulate a Rebel’s nerve. Falsetto paired with low humming matches this archetype’s ability to drown out the world.
THE MAGICIAN — “SUPER MASSIVE BLACK HOLE” BY MUSE
With the ability to manipulate the world around them, The Magician has the most power out of any of the archetypes. They can bring into existence the things that others deem impossible, only limited by their own imagination. One of the most famous Magicians in film is Dr. Strange. Like the Marvel character, a Magician’s power can also inadvertently cause negative consequences, like changing the fabric of the world, or harming people in the process. They must consciously consider the balance between the outcomes of their actions, which weighs on them heavily. Muse’s “Super Massive Black Hole” describes the potential a Magician has for big events, like the astronomical collision that causes a black hole. Their internal voice, grappling with their own potential, is echoed in the lines “Oh baby, don't you know I suffer?” The garage band guitar and punching drum beat express a Magician’s natural charisma and power.
THE HERO — '“YOUNG FOREVER” BY JAY Z FT. MR HUDSON
This archetype comes in many different forms: the superhero, the unlikely hero, the underdog. In each version, this character values courage and integrity, using them to stand up for others. They usually face some challenge directly or in defense of someone else, like most of the books and movies we grew up with. Harry Potter and Katniss Everdeen are extremely popular examples of The Hero archetype. Jay Z’s rendition of Alphaville’s 1984 song, “Young Forever,” is the perfect soundtrack for a Hero because they strive to always be where the action is. For when they fear inadequacy, the lyrics “Let us die young or let us live forever / We don't have the power, but we never say never” motivate them to keep going. The preservation of the 80’s track with modern remixed vocals makes this song the perfect representation of Heroes past and future.
THE LOVER — “UNDER COVERS” BY LERICHE
The Lover values connection above all else. The simplest things bring them contentment, as long as they are sharing them with another person. This is because they find strength in partnership and fear isolation. Lovers bring a sense of passion and sentiment to a narrative, and although they can lean towards being a people pleaser, they’re the perfect foil to any conflict or difficult situation. “Under Covers” by LeRiche focuses on a Lover’s tendency towards sensuality. The lyrics “We’ll laugh about love and how we felt for one another / And I love the way we make up under covers” describes their ideal partnership.
THE JESTER — “STOLEN DANCE” BY MILKY CHANCE
Playful and bright, The Jester tends towards humor to put a smile on other peoples’ faces. Nonetheless, Jesters are more than their jokes. Similar to The Lover in desiring connection, they want to entertain and uplift everyone they meet. They aren’t just focused on one person but strive to be the life of the party whenever they’re in a group setting. Sometimes their effort of seeking happiness is used to cover up an internal sadness, but bringing joy to others also brings them fulfillment. For this reason, “Stolen Dance” by Milky Chance is The Jester’s most played song. The upbeat tune paired with the sometimes melancholy lyrics (“I want you by my side / So that I never feel alone again”) represents the paradox of this character.
THE EVERYMAN — “LADY MAY” BY TYLER CHILDERS
Although they can be filler characters, The Everyman desires being of help to others and proving their hardworking nature. They don’t want to do anything to disturb the order of things, and they would never try to invoke change. The Everyman finds their purpose in fitting in with others, being consistent and dependable. Examples of an Everyman are Bilbo Baggins or Dr. John Watson. Both of these characters serve as a contrast to their main character counterpart. Tyler Childers’ “Lady May” is the perfect description of an Everyman’s desires. Childers sings “When my workin' day is over / We'll go swim our cares away,” showing the simplicity that this character desires. The comforting folk twang and grounded guitar represent the steadiness of this archetype.
THE CAREGIVER — “BLOOM” BY THE PAPER KITES
Often parents or mentors, The Caregiver will be a protector to anyone who needs them. They tend to take on this role in a circle of friends or family, providing them with compassion and emotional support. Their generous nature makes them selfless, and they can act as a healer for other characters. Despite their pure qualities, The Caregiver can easily be exploited or taken advantage of. “Bloom” by The Paper Kites poses the question, “Can I be close to you?” This is one of The Caregiver’s main motivations, to be close and helpful to the people around them. The soft, layered vocals and light guitar melody reflects the Caregiver’s conscientious nature.
THE RULER — “LUST FOR LIFE” BY LANA DEL REY FT. THE WEEKEND
The Ruler’s primary motivations are control and power. Their deep understanding of human nature and relationships allows them to gain power and retain it. They can easily be a villainous character because of this — two popular Ruler characters are Darth Vader and President Snow. Despite the reputation of those two, Rulers can also provide structure to a narrative depending on whether their leadership is democratic or tyrannical. This archetype’s strengths inspire their song, “Lust for Life” by Lana Del Rey. The lyrics, “'Cause we're the masters of our own fate / We're the captains of our own souls” echo The Ruler’s self-authority.Their desire to be in control comes through in Rey’s earnest vocals on top of a driving drumbeat.
THE CREATOR — “HARDER, BETTER, FASTER, STRONGER” BY DAFT PUNK
The creator can take on many forms, but as long as they’re making things, whether that be art or machines, they fit this archetype. They’re inherently creative and inventive, finding functional or artistic solutions to the problems of the world. Tony Stark and even real-life Leonardo Da Vinci fit this character type to a tee. The Creator’s downfall is their perfectionism and the pressure they put on themselves. However, if they can overcome their internal obstacles, they can use their skills for a positive impact. “Harder, Better, Fast, Stronger” by Daft Punk is the perfect background song for a Creator to shut themselves away in order to work. It represents their motivations to always outdo themselves and their imaginative intensity.
The one thing that all the archetypes have in common is the dualities within them. They each have a conflict central to their character and motivations, which is what makes the archetypes an accurate guide to humans. Music is a tool which can help express these complexities, and acknowledge the war within each of us.