You're humming it. You've probably been humming it for three days straight without actually knowing where it came from or who is behind the mic. It happens. Music is weird like that now, especially when a song blows up on TikTok or a Netflix trailer before it even hits the radio. If you’re trying to figure out who sings the dark side, the answer isn't just one person—it depends entirely on which "Dark Side" is currently stuck in your head.
Music history is littered with songs sharing the same name. It’s annoying for SEO, sure, but it’s great for variety. Most people asking this right now are looking for one of three very specific artists: Alan Walker, Kelly Clarkson, or Muse. They couldn't sound more different if they tried.
The Mystery of Alan Walker’s Dark Side
Let's talk about the big one. If the song you're thinking of sounds like a high-production EDM anthem with a haunting, ethereal female vocal, you’re listening to Alan Walker. But here’s the kicker: Alan Walker doesn't actually sing it. He’s the producer.
The actual voice you hear—the one hitting those crisp, airy notes—belongs to Au/Ra.
Au/Ra, or Jamie Lou Stenzel, is a German-Antiguan singer-songwriter who basically owns the "dark alt-pop" niche. When "Darkside" dropped in 2018, it wasn't just another club track. It was a mood. The lyrics focus on embracing the shadows and finding a sense of belonging in the "underworld" of our own psyche. It’s moody. It’s catchy. It’s also incredibly well-produced.
Tomine Harket also gets a lot of credit here because she performed on the live versions and featured in some of Walker’s earlier World of Walker lore. But on the definitive studio track? That's all Au/Ra. She has this specific way of phrasing words that makes the "darkness" feel like a warm blanket rather than something scary. If you haven't checked out her solo work like "Panic Room," you're missing out on the blueprint for why that Alan Walker track worked so well in the first place.
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Kelly Clarkson and the Power Ballad Era
Maybe your vibe is less "neon lights" and more "stadium anthem." If the song feels like it could be the climax of a 2012 romantic drama, you're definitely thinking of Kelly Clarkson.
Kelly’s "Dark Side" was the fourth single from her Stronger album. It’s a classic Greg Kurstin production. For those who don't follow liner notes, Kurstin is the guy who worked with Adele on "Hello." You can hear that influence—the building tension, the explosive chorus, and the raw vulnerability.
When Kelly sings, "Everybody’s got a dark side / Do you love me? / Can you love mine?" she’s tapping into a very specific human insecurity. It’s about the fear that if people really knew us—the messy parts, the anger, the baggage—they’d leave. It was a moderate hit, peaking at number 11 on the Billboard Adult Pop Songs chart. Interestingly, the music video was filmed in Los Angeles and featured a bunch of different people dealing with their own "hidden" struggles, from unemployment to body image issues. It’s a literal interpretation, but it worked because Kelly’s voice is so undeniably honest.
Muse and the Synthesizer Obsession
Then there’s Muse. If the "Dark Side" you’re looking for sounds like a futuristic 80s movie soundtrack, you’ve found Matt Bellamy and the boys.
Released in 2018 as part of the Simulation Theory album, this track is a total departure from their earlier, guitar-heavy space rock. Matt Bellamy sings this one with a heavy dose of vocoder and synth-pop flair. It’s sleek. It’s very Stranger Things.
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The lyrics are classic Muse: themes of alienation, escaping a dystopian reality, and psychological struggle. Bellamy has talked about how the song represents the "internal" battle of the mind. It’s less about a relationship and more about the existential dread of being trapped in your own head. If you’re a fan of synthwave, this is probably the version that’s been living rent-free in your brain.
Other Contenders You Might Be Thinking Of
Look, "Dark Side" is a popular title. If none of the above fit, you might be digging a bit deeper into the crates:
- Bring Me The Horizon: They have a track called "Darkside" from their POST HUMAN: NeX GEn era. It’s heavy, it’s loud, and Oli Sykes brings that signature mix of screaming and melodic hooks. It’s the go-to for the modern emo-revival crowd.
- Blind Channel: If you follow Eurovision, you might remember these Finnish rockers. Their song "Dark Side" was the 2021 entry for Finland. It’s "violent pop"—think Linkin Park vibes with a lot of energy and middle fingers raised to the sky.
- The Last Dinner Party: While not titled exactly "Dark Side," their hit "Nothing Matters" is often searched with these keywords because of the dark, gothic-glam aesthetic they project.
- Linkin Park: People often misattribute "Lying from You" or "Burn It Down" to this title because of the lyrical content.
Why We Are Obsessed With The "Dark Side"
There is a reason so many artists name their songs this. Honestly, "the dark side" is the ultimate trope. It’s Carl Jung’s "Shadow" archetype set to a 4/4 beat. We like hearing about people’s flaws because it makes us feel less alone in our own.
In the case of Au/Ra and Alan Walker, the appeal is the escape. For Kelly Clarkson, it’s the validation. For Muse, it’s the atmosphere.
Actually, if you’re trying to find a specific version from a movie or a TV show, you should check the credits of 13 Reasons Why or various superhero trailers. "Dark Side" songs are the bread and butter of editors trying to make a protagonist look edgy during a montage.
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How to Tell Which One You're Hearing
Still confused? Just look at the genre.
- Is there a heavy beat and a "drop"? It's Alan Walker (feat. Au/Ra).
- Is it a soulful woman belt-singing about being loved? It's Kelly Clarkson.
- Does it sound like a robot from 1984 is having a midlife crisis? It's Muse.
- Is someone screaming "SILENCE!" over heavy guitars? It's Bring Me The Horizon.
The Cultural Impact of the Name
"Dark Side" isn't just a song title; it's a branding tool. When an artist releases a track with this name, they are signaling a shift. For Kelly Clarkson, it was a move toward more "mature" and darker pop themes after her American Idol days. For Alan Walker, it solidified his "World of Walker" cinematic universe—a series of music videos that tell a continuous story about a post-apocalyptic society.
Even Pink Floyd, the grandfathers of this vibe, didn't have a song called "Dark Side," but The Dark Side of the Moon is the shadow that hangs over all these modern tracks. Every artist mentioned above is, in some way, paying homage to that legacy of exploring the hidden parts of the human experience.
Your Next Steps for Finding That Song
If you still can't find the exact version you're looking for, try these steps. First, go to Spotify or YouTube and type "Dark Side" followed by the year you think you first heard it. If it was recently, it’s almost certainly either the Bring Me The Horizon track or a remix of the Alan Walker version.
Second, check the lyrics. If you remember the words "Keep me through the night," you’re in Alan Walker territory. If you remember "I live in a world where I can't be found," that's Muse.
Finally, if you’re a creator looking to use these tracks, be careful with licensing. These aren't royalty-free. You’ll need to clear the rights through the respective labels (Sony, Warner, etc.) unless you're using them under fair use for commentary.
Music is subjective, but the facts aren't. Now that you know who sings the dark side, go add the right one to your playlist. You’ve got options—from EDM to rock to powerhouse pop. Pick the one that matches your current mood and let it play.