Songs for The Challenger

This post is dedicated to Type 8's on the Enneagram. The usual disclaimer: educating myself about the enneagram and reading about my personality type has genuinely helped me be more conscious about making healthier choices as well as paying closer attention to how I interact with other people based off their type as well if I happen to know it. The enneagram is not how I dictate every single moment of my life, but it is a handy and interesting tool to use.

Enneagram Eights are usually referred to as Challengers or Protectors. A few key personality traits of theirs include being powerful, dominating, self-confident, decisive, willful, and confrontational. An Eight's basic fear is that of being either harmed or controlled by someone else, and their basic desire is that of protecting themselves and being in control of their own life. A happy, healthy Eight can be seen as magnanimous, generous and forgiving towards others who have wronged them and known to use their personal strengths to improve the lives of others, while a miserable, unhealthy Eight would rather virtually destroy anything and everything that doesn't conform to their will to prevent them from having to surrender to another party. They're motivated by staying in control of their situation and being seen as self-reliant. While they can be very resourceful and assertive, Eights can occasionally become ego-centric and intimidating due to a need to control their environment and the people in it which, according to the Enneagram Institute, can cause issues with their tempers and the ability to let themselves be vulnerable with others. An Eight with a Seven wing, or 8w7, is usually referred to as a Maverick or a Nonconformist and maintains the core feelings of an Eight while leaning on Seven traits like wanting freedom for others. An Eight with a Nine wing, or 8w9, is usually referred to as a Bear or a Diplomat and maintains that core Eightness while leaning on Nine traits like avoiding situations where they have less control. A healthy Eight can exhibit traits of a Type Two due to their Growth Path causing them to act more caring and open-hearted, while a super stressed Eight can exhibit traits of a Type Five due to their Stress Path causing them to act more fearful and secretive.

Here are some more pop culture examples of Type Eight that I've "typed" over the last year or two. DISCLAIMER #2: I obviously don't own/didn't create any of these characters and secondly, it's again impossible to truly type another person, especially when they aren't real, but this its a lot of fun and I've enjoyed doing it. These are just my personal opinion, so please don't @ me.

-Aelin Galathynius (8w9) & Manon Blackbeak (8w7) from Throne of Glass

-Viscount Anthony Bridgerton from Bridgerton

-Princess Azula from Avatar: The Last Airbender

-Bryce Quinlan (8w7) from Crescent City

-Cassian from A Court of Thorns and Roses

-Chuck Shurley (8w7) & Michael (8w9) from Supernatural

-Darth Vader, General Leia Organa, & Poe Dameron from Star Wars

-Daryl Philbin & Stanley Hudson from The Office

-Diego Hargreeves/Number Two/The Kraken from The Umbrella Academy

-Donna Meagle & Ron Swanson from Parks & Recreation

-Gina Linetti (8w9) & Rosa Diaz (8w7) from Brooklyn Nine-Nine

-Ginny Weasley (8w7) & Lord Voldemort (8w9) from Harry Potter

-Princess Jasmine (8w9) from Aladdin

-Jasper, Lapis Lazuli (8w9), & Yellow Diamond from Steven Universe

-Princess Merida (8w7) from Brave

-Monica Geller from Friends

-Roland Schitt from Schitt's Creek

-Ms. Sharon Norbury from Mean Girls

-Dr. Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory

-Shoresy & Tanis from Letterkenny

-Steve Rogers/Captain America from The Marvel Cinematic Universe

-Triss Merigold (8w7) from The Witcher

-Vi from Arcane: League of Legends

The following is a small sample of my Challenger playlist - as always, the full playlist can be found by following me on Apple Music @audioaesthetics. Let's get to it!

Strangers By Nature by Adele (written by A. Adkins, L. Goransson)

Featured on Adele's 2021 album 30, the lyrics of this song show an Eight working on healing herself of her past unhealthy habits. She recognizes her part in the deterioration of this relationship with the person she's talking to and understands that it's at the point where it can't be salvaged.

I'll be taking flowers to the cemetery of my heart/For all of my lovers in the present and in the dark/Every anniversary, I'll pay respects and say I'm sorry/For they never stood a chance as if they could/When no one knows what it's like to be us/I’ve never seen the sky this color before/It's like I'm noticing everythin' a little bit more/Now that all the dust has settled/I rebut all my rebuttals/No one knows what it's like to be us/Strangers by nature/Strangers by nature

bad guy by Billie Eilish (written by B. O'Connell, F. O'Connell)

Featured on Eilish's 2019 album WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?, this song is a great example of the domineering, self-confident, willful side of an Eight. She feels powerful when she feels she's completely in control over someone and, on the unhealthy side of things, takes pride in intimidating others that she feels are standing in her way.

White shirt, now red, my bloody nose/Sleepin', you're on your tippy toes/Creepin' around like no one knows/Think you're so criminal/Bruises on both my knees for you/Don't say thank you or please, I do/What I want when I'm wanting to/My soul, so cynical/So you’re a tough guy, like it really rough guy/Just can’t get enough guy, chest always so puffed guy/I’m that bad type, make your mama sad type/Make your girlfriend mad tight, might seduce your dad type/I’m the bad guy, duh

Who You Say I Am by Hillsong Worship (written by B. Fielding, R. Morgan)

Featured on Hillsong's 2018 live album There Is More with vocals from worship leaders Brooke Ligertwood and Reuben Morgan, this song is a good example of an Eight's primary Fruit of the Spirit, gentleness (shout out again to @mirabellecreations on Instagram for inspiring me with your graphic). With how direct Eights tend to be, gentleness is not always something that comes naturally to them, but when they master it it's really something to behold. When an Eight learns to relinquish control to God, they are free to share all of the love and gentleness that they have inside.

Who am I that the highest King would welcome me/I was lost but He brought me in, oh His love for me/Oh, His love for me/Who the Son sets free, oh, is free indeed/I’m a child of God, yes I am

Colossians 3:12 NLT Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

That Distant Shore by Jennifer Paz (written by A. Tran, G. Henry, J. Liu, S. Velema)

Lapis Lazuli is one of my favorite Steven Universe characters and is a really great example of a Type 8 as a character trope. Having spent way longer than anyone should have to as a prisoner in various capacities, Lapis wants nothing more than to be free to be herself and make her own choices, going so far as to push those who love her alway when she feels too confined but also fighting fiercely for her new home and family when they are threatened. Lapis doesn't get to sing much on the show, which is a shame because Jennifer Paz has a great voice, but her only solo song is That Distant Shore, featured in S5E17 Can't Go Back.

It all became so lovely, those bluest skies above me/Those funny feelings I had never felt before I met you/I thought I’d stay a while, I tried to learn to smile/So many colors I had never even known/Maybe I’ll find myself sitting on that distant shore/Maybe I’m not alone

One Man Show by Jonas Brothers (written by J. Jonas, K. Jonas, N. Jonas)

Featured on their 2008 album A Little Bit Longer, this JoBro song is another good example of an Eight leaving a situation that they felt was out of their control. After being in a relationship with someone they felt didn't let them be themselves, the guy finally feels free and knows he'll be just fine taking care of himself.

I feel like I'm gonna go insane/Cause I keep hearin' your voice call my name/In an empty room, girl, you're the one I see/Let me tell you girl, we're history/I’m a one man show, I don't need no one/I’ll be fine alone, oh yeah/You can call me but I won't pick up my phone/'Cause I'm a one man show, oh yeah/I don't need you, girl

Into the Open Air by Julie Fowlis (written by A. Mandel)

Merida is a good representative of an Eight who leans on her Seven wing throughout her story in Brave. Feeling as though her mother is only interested in controlling every aspect of her life, she longs for the freedom to do as she pleases and clashes constantly with Queen Elinor (who I think is either a One or also an Eight, I haven't fully decided). Into the Open Air is the song that plays when mother and daughter have a fun scene in the river as Merida teaches Elinor to fish, and shows Merida's walls she's built up to protect herself from her mother's influence starting to break down.

This love, it is a distant star/Guiding us home wherever we are/This love, it is a burning sun/Shinning light on the things that we've done/I try to speak to you every day/But each word we spoke, the wind blew away/Could these walls come crumbling down/I want to feel my feet on the ground/And deep behind this prison we share/Step into the open air

angel by Kacey Musgraves (written by I. Fitchuk, D. Tashian, K. Musgraves)

Featured on Musgraves' 2021 album star-crossed, this sad song wrapped in a sweet melody is a good example of an Eight who wishes she could change herself to be less...well, Eightish I suppose. While healthy Eights can have the qualities she sings about when they emulate a Two on their Growth Path, it will always be difficult for them to give up control to others and be more selfless than self-confident.

If I was an angel, I wouldn’t have to try/So hard to save you or show you how to fly/If I was an angel, I wouldn't get so mad/It'd be easy to be grateful for everything I have/You'd only get the best of me/I’d pull you out of the darkness/Keep you out of the rain/Everything would be better/I’d never have to change/I’d never have to change

Miss Independent by Kelly Clarkson (written by C. Aguilera, K. Clarkson, M. Morris, R. Lawrence)

Featured on Clarkson's 2003 album Thankful, this may be the Eightest song on this whole post. Independence, self-sufficiency, self-preservation, and more - basically every single thing the narrator calls herself is textbook Challenger, but unlike some of the songs on this list Miss Independent gets a happy ending, which Eights are just as entitled to as any other type.

Miss Independent, Miss Self-Sufficient/Miss Keep Your Distance/Miss Unafraid, Miss Out of My Way/Miss Don't Let a Man Interfere, no/Miss On Her Own, Miss Almost Grown/Miss Never Let a Man Help Her Off Her Throne/So, by keeping her heart protected, she'd never ever feel rejected/Little Miss Apprehensive said, "Ooh, she fell in love"/What is the feelin' takin' over, thinkin' no one could open my door/Surprise, it's time to feel what's real/What happened to Miss Independent, no more the need to be defensive/Goodbye, old you, when love is true

A Whole New World by Brad Kane & Lea Salonga (written by A. Menken, T. Rice)

Jasmine is our other Disney Princess representative for a Type Eight, though she leans more on her Nine wing throughout Aladdin than Merida does. Jasmine feels so confined by the responsibilities of her station as Princess of Agrabah that she initially runs away in order to find her freedom, but when Jafar ultimately takes over the kingdom she's able to step up and fight for herself and her loved ones and plays a key role in saving the day. A Whole New World shows her longing for freedom and to just get away from her responsibilities for a while to figure out who she really wants to be.

A whole new world/A dazzling place I never knew/But when I’m way up here, it’s crystal clear/That now I’m in a whole new world with you/Unbelievable sights/Indescribable feelings/Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling/Through an endless diamond sky

favorite crime by Olivia Rodrigo (written by D. Nigro, O. Rodrigo)

Featured on Rodrigo's 2021 album SOUR, I actually intended this song to go on the Enthusiast (Type 7) post but mistakenly talked about good 4 u instead, which I originally intended for this post. Therefore, here we go, favorite crime which is much more of a Seven song than an Eight in my personal opinion.

Know that I loved you so bad, I let you treat me like that/I was your willing accomplice, honey/And I watched as you fled the scene, doe-eyed as you buried me/One heart broke, four hands bloody/Those things I did/Just so I could call you mine/The things you did/Well, I hope I was your favorite crime

What's the Use of Feeling (Blue) by Patti LuPone & DeeDee Magno Hall (Witten by R. Sugar, A. Tran, S. Velema)

Yellow Diamond is one of the Big Bands of Steven Universe and is probably the most obvious illustration of an Eight out of all the characters. As Homeworld's military leader, she's not used to anyone contradicting or arguing with her and does not react well to insubordination, even feeling vindication at the eventual destruction of Earth so she doesn't have to think about the planet her little sister (maybe? the relationship dynamic of the Diamonds is confusing to me) died anymore. What's the Use of Feeling (Blue) is from S4E15 That Will Be All, is sung by the vocal legend Patti LuPone with backing vocals from DeeDee Magno Hall as both Yellow Pearl and Blue Pearl, and is my husband's least favorite song in the entire run of the show.

Why would you want to be here/What do you ever see here/That doesn't make you feel worse than you do, and tell me/What's the use of feeling, Blue/Why would you want to employ her subjects that destroyed her/Why keep up her silly zoo, oh, tell me/What's the use of feeling, Blue/An army has a use, they can go and fight a war/A Sapphire has a use, she can tell you what it's for/An Agate terrifies, a Lapis terraforms/Where's their Diamond when they need them, Blue, you've got to be a leader, Blue/Yes, of course we still love her/And we're always thinking of her/But now there's nothing we can do, so tell me/What's the use of feeling, what's the use of feeling/What's the use of feeling, Blue

Eight by Sleeping At Last (written by R. O'Neal)

Featured on Sleeping At Last's 2019 album Atlas: Enneagram, Ryan O'Neal brings us another beautifully poetic interpretation of what goes on in a Challenger's mind. He speaks as someone who's always acted as a defender, feels he grew up too quickly, and doesn't believe he can let anyone see the real him for fear of rejection.

I remember the minute/It was like a switch was flipped/I was just a kid who grew up strong enough/To pick this armor up and suddenly, it fit/God, that was so long ago, long ago, long ago/I was little, I was weak, and perfectly naive/And I grew up too quick/Now you won’t see all that I have to lose/And all I’ve lost in the fight to protect it/I won’t let you in, I swore never again/I can’t afford, no, I refuse to be rejected

august by Taylor Swift (written by J. Antonoff, T. Swift)

Featured on Swift's 2020 album folklore, this song is one part of a trio of songs written to tell the story of a love triangle between two young women and one young man. Sung from the perspective of "the other woman," the narrator laments over losing the guy even though she knows he wasn't hers to take and has a hard time remembering the good times they shared because all she can focus on is her personal loss.

Salt air and the rust on your door/I never needed anything more/Whispers of "Are you sure/Never have I ever before”/But I can see us lost in the memory, August slipped away into a moment in time/‘Cause it was never mine/And I can see us twisted in bedsheets, August sipped away like a bottle of wine/‘Cause you were never mine

Whether you know you're an Eight, know you're not an Eight, don't care what number you are, or have no idea what I've been talking about, I hope you found some great new music in this post. Happy listening, and see ya'll next week!