Will Fenton
I’ve put together a collection of the best songs about life, each offering unique perspectives and insights into the human experience.
This article is your guide to the melodies that resonate with the ups and downs, joys and challenges of life.
Top songs about life
- Elton John – “Circle of Life”
- Frank Sinatra – “That’s life”
- Lukas Graham – “7 Years”
- Thomas Rhett – “Life Changes”
- Rascal Flatts – “Bless the Broken Road”
- Zac Brown – “Let It Go”
- Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes – “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life”
- Black – “Wonderful Life”
- Zara Larsson – “Lush Life”
- Ace Of Base – “Beautiful Life”
1. Elton John – “Circle of Life”
Top of our life songs list is this; With an instantly recognizable opening, despite the use of Zulu language in the opening vocals by Lebo M.
The “Circle of Life” by Elton John and Tim Rice was recorded by Carmen Twillie and Lebo as the title sequence for the 1994 Disney animated film “The Lion King”.
2. Frank Sinatra – “That’s Life”
Now for a true classic that never goes out of crooning fashion. There’s no shortage of covers of this life-themed song written by Dean Kelly for Frank Sinatra.
A life song about, picking yourself up and carrying on regardless, with lyrics that have a humorous edge, darkish in places. But, hey “That’s life”!
3. Lukas Graham – “7 Years”
There is no better song about life than this emotional piano-led walk down memory lane. Despite being young and a newcomer, Lukas Graham nailed the sentiment in this one and still managed to make it personal to his journey without alienating any of his listeners.
“Soon I’ll be 60 years old, my daddy got 61
Remember life and then your life becomes a better one”
4. Thomas Rhett – “Life Changes”
“Life changes and I wouldn’t change it for the world, the world, oh no”
Rhett, like Lucas Graham, sings from personal experiences. This song has a bit of a cheerier vibe to it, and remarks “ Ain’t it funny how life changes? Stating exactly what we are all thinking.
Looking back life changes are dramatic, but the changes often go unnoticed along the way in real-time.
5. Rascal Flatts – “Bless the Broken Road”
This next song about life made the cut because an important part of aging is accepting our mistakes.
Every decision has brought you to this point in time. No matter how bumpy the journey of life or the obstacles faced, you are only who you are because you weathered it.
6. Zac Brown – “Let It Go”
On a similar note, Zac Brown’s song about life is a solid reminder that we can’t control everything.
Although the singer misses the glory days gone by, he has no regrets looking back…life always goes on.
“Save your strength for things that you can change
Forgive the ones you can’t
You’ve got to let them go”
7. Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes – “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life”
How can anyone forget this hugely popular song about life?
Most will remember it from the iconic Dirty Dancing movie (the song where they finally nail the big lift).
The dreamy intro says it all…
“Now I’ve had the time of my life”
A song about how someone can walk into your life and change it completely. You can feel things you have never felt before and suddenly your entire outlook changes as well.
8. Black – “Wonderful Life”
This one is one of those positive songs on life that oozes gratitude. The words express all the little things the singer is thankful for in life.
“No need to run and hide
It’s a wonderful, wonderful life“
9. Zara Larsson – “Lush Life”
Another top song about living life ‘in’ the moment is this catchy chart-topper by Zara Larson, one of the more modern on our list it refreshingly circumscribes that youthful ‘YOLO’ attitude.
“I live my day as if it was the last
Live my day as if there was no past”
10. Ace Of Base – “Beautiful Life”
A mid-nineties treat from Ace of Base that’s all about seizing the day instead of putting things off and procrastinating.
Pumping synthesizer beats and simple catchy lyrics that help to make it the perfect celebratory best life song.
11. U2 – “Beautiful Day”
Similarly, “Beautiful Day” by U2 echo’s the sentiments of Beautiful Life. It too encourages you to go out and grab life, or you’ll go nowhere.
“It’s a beautiful day
Don’t let it get away”
12. Green Day – “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)”
“Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road” begins Billy Joe Armstrong… an all too familiar part of life. Decisions are the stepping stones on life’s path.
A surprisingly jolly post-punk tune that reminds us the decision is ours to make and no matter what comes as a result, we ought to enjoy it.
“It’s something unpredictable
But in the end, it’s right
I hope you had the time of your life”
13. Travis Tritt – “It’s a Great Day to Be Alive”
Another good song about life is this thankful country hit from Travis Tritt that lays it all bare.
It explores the ups and downs of life from a grateful stance. It promotes waking up and taking on whatever the day has to bring.
“And it’s a great day to be alive. I know the sun’s still shining when I close my eyes.”
A great song about remembering to take a beat and make sure you are living life ‘in’ the moment.
14. Aerosmith – “Dream On”
Another real carpe diem type of song about life from rock ‘n rollers Aerosmith.
“Maybe tomorrow, the good Lord will take you away”
A live life song with an important reminder, that encourages you to pursue your dreams before it’s too late.
15. Journey – “Don’t Stop Believing”
This one, much like the Aerosmith tune we chose above has a great lifestyle message.
When it comes to living your best life songs that motivate you it doesn’t get much better than Journey’s no-quit attitude and epic guitar leads.
Nobody gets very far in life without believing in themselves.
16. Queen – “The Show Must Go On”
Written by Brian May and recorded by Freddie Mercury towards the end of his battle with AIDS.
“I’ll face it with a grin
I’m never giving in
On with the show”
What you are living for? Press on and make the most out of life “whatever happens” because “the show must go on”.
17. Stevie Nicks – “Edge of Seventeen”
Life is full of rites of passage and there is nothing more familiar than facing the loss of a loved one.
Every life inevitably ends with death and so it is interwoven with life itself.
Stevie Nicks musters the courage to share her grief, stating in interviews that the white-winged dove is meant to metaphorically represent the spirit leaving the body.
18. The Fray – “How to Save a Life”
As you’ve seen songs about life often center around death, the two are almost symbiotic.
This song was The Fray’s biggest success, the lyrics speak to people who have lost a loved one struggling with the loss, although that wasn’t the initial intention.
It was written about an experience working as a mentor at a camp for troubled teenagers.
“And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life”
19. Evanescence – “Bring me to life”
Sometimes on the rollercoaster of life, we hit lows. Sometimes we feel dead inside because we aren’t as impressed with stimulus as we should be. Life isn’t speaking to us.
This now nu-metal classic with the powerful vocals of Amy Lee will wake anyone up inside!
20. Foo Fighters – “All My Life”
Another nihilistic life song full of angst and waiting for something to change is “All my life” by the Foo Fighters, Grohl’s opening lyrics say it all;
“All my life, I’ve been searching for something
Something never comes, never leads to nothing
Nothing satisfies but I’m getting close
Closer to the prize at the end of the rope”
21. Manic Street Preachers – “A Design for Life”
Not all songs about life are super optimistic or motivational. Some are observational as is the case with Nicky Wire’s “A Design for Life” that is heavily influenced by the bands’ strong socialist convictions.
It highlights themes of class conflict, prejudice, and stereotyping of the working class.
22. Iggy Pop – “Lust for Life”
An infamous upbeat track was co-written by Iggy Pop and David Bowie that was featured in the 1996 British film Trainspotting.
The lyrics reference “The Ticket That Exploded” a William S. Burroughs novel and tell the tale of a modern guy living in a drug-fueled, fast-paced life.
“Been on a lust for life
‘Cause of a lust for life”
23. Alphaville – “Forever Young”
As singer Marian Gold reminds the listener “life is a short trip”.
The sentiment behind the chorus suggests a childish desire to cheat death and “be forever young” but also rhetorically asks “Do you really want to live forever?”
24. T.I. Ft. Rhianna – “Live Your Life”
A pop song about living your best life, in this case, a full-on flex of achievements. Rhiana inspires you to work for success and fame.
“You’re a shinin’ star in fancy clothes and fancy cars”
25. Jason Mraz – “Living in the Moment”
Living in the moment is a great song about living life with no regrets. It has a happy tune and conscientious lyrics.
It is one of the most mindful songs about living a good life on our list.
26. Kanye West – “Stronger”
Kanye’s 2007 ode to owning your mistakes and battling your way through life head-on.
The lyrics allude to Friedrich Nietzsche’s Twilight of the Idols or, How to Philosophize with a Hammer written in 1888.
Kanye states that things “That don’t kill me, can only make me stronger”
27. Bon Jovi – “It’s My Life”
Sometimes, a song about life is more lifestyle-centric. It might be a bit more of a protest. A statement to the listener, this is my life and this is how I am living it.
This one, much like the one below expresses exactly that sentiment and the lyrics couldn’t be clearer!
“It’s my life
It’s now or never
But I ain’t gonna live forever
I just want to live while I’m alive”
28. No Doubt – “It’s My Life”
Like Bon Jovi above, Miss Stefani also wants to make sure everyone knows who is in control of her life too.
“Oh, It’s my life
Don’t you forget
It’s my life
It never ends”
29. Billy Joel – “My Life”
Another don’t tell me what to do with my life song…
Billy Joel sings about life over an upbeat jumpy track that was used as the theme song for the ABC television series “Bosom Buddies” in the early 80s.
“Go ahead with your own life leave me alone”
30. Des’ree – “Life”
If you’ve found yourself here trying to find a particular earworm of a song about life. Then this late nineties throwback might be the one that’s stuck on your mind.
The chorus is simple:
“Life Oh Life, Oh Life, Oh Life”
The verse lyrics also stuck in minds as the rhyming was rather desperate and unimaginative which gave many of us a giggle;
“I don’t want to see a ghost,
It’s a sight that I fear most
I’d rather have a piece of toast”
Er, yeah…
31. The Beatles – “In My Life”
When it comes to popular songs about life we would be remiss if we didn’t include this classic Beatles tune.
It is a song centered around reminiscing through memories that is also a loose love song.
It points out the changes that have taken place, some more memorable than others but nothing so memorable as the person in question.
32. Amy Macdonald – “This Is The Life”
A popular song, that highlights the dangers of maybe not making the best decisions in life.
The lyrics help to depict a vivid picture of being a binge-drinking youth that many could relate to.
“And you’re singing the songs thinking this is the life
And you wake up in the morning and your head feels twice the size”
33. Dolly Parton – “In the Meantime”
Sometimes also called “Better Day”, “In the Meantime” is a powerful song about living a long life that reassures us that there is always time to make amends.
It is a song about trying to lead a good life, caring enough about the planet and others to make a difference.
34. Mitchell Tenpenny- “Bucket List”
Death is coming for everyone, many of us have goals we would like to achieve, things we want to experience before this life is over.
Mitchel Tenpenny takes us through his resolutions in this country song about living life to the fullest.
“I’mma love a little more, dream a little deeper”
35. Avicii – “The Nights”
We are loving and leaving you with a dance-floor filling power anthem from the late Avicii, that will motivate the most hard-core procrastinator into living a better life.
“He said: “One day you’ll leave this world behind, so live a life you will remember.”
My father told me when I was just a child, “These are the nights that never die.”
A modern song that will undoubtedly become a classic I’m living my best life song one day.
Final Thoughts
Songs with life in the lyrics vary when it comes to the emotions they express because life is an emotional rollercoaster.
Some of the best songs about life are live life to the fullest songs. Believe in yourself songs are some of the most beautiful songs about life.
But even sad songs about life often leave you with a moral or lesson, they are songs that make you think about life, promoting personal growth.
Our list of songs about living life has something for everyone, motivation or otherwise.
With the life songs we have scooped together you should all have your theme songs for life picked for your next montage-worthy moment.
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