We know the feeling.
Hitting rock bottom, where moving on appears impossible.
Such moments can be overwhelming.
But giving up too quickly is even more detrimental because you will never know how close you are to success if you don’t embrace the pain.
Success itself is an adventurous journey, with hope and perseverance your best weapons for conquering your fears.
That’s why some of the most successful artists in history have painful stories to tell.
And in this guide, we’ve compiled a list of the 60 best songs about strength to lift your mood at your lowest moments.
1. “Here Comes The Sun” by The Beatles
Everybody can do with a little motivation in life.
‘Here Comes The Sun’ is thus one of the best songs about hope, giving you the power to keep pushing even when the future looks bleak.
The song is regarded as one of George Harrison’s best-ever pieces, conveying a powerful message of optimism despite today’s struggles.
2. “Hero” by Mariah Carey
When things get rough, you become your biggest source of strength.
And in this upbeat song by Mariah Carey, the clear message is that you don’t need to look further than within yourself to get the much-needed motivation.
It is a classic song about hope and perseverance, giving you the strength to overcome life’s biggest obstacles by believing in yourself.
3. “Courage” by Celine Dion
Celine Dion knows it.
Perhaps we know it too.
That courage is the secret weapon for overcoming life’s struggles.
In the track, The Queen of Pop tells herself to be courageous in the face of adversity.
And you can only feel inspired by the moving lyrics.
4. “Firework” by Katy Perry
Firework is probably the best metaphor to represent inner belief.
And in her 2010 dance-pop song, Katy Perry is merely encouraging us to keep going despite life’s hardships.
We’ve all had those difficult moments in life where everything seemed impossible.
So, this song will give you the strength to push on by trusting in your abilities.
5. “Thunder” by Imagine Dragons
Three out of five individuals are probably motivated by their tough background growing up.
And that’s the theme in this powerful electro-pop song by Imagine Dragons.
‘Thunder’ is a beautiful song recounting Dan Reynolds’ struggle before finding a breakthrough.
He recalls attending a crappy school and getting kicked out of college as the two motivational factors behind his success.
And we bet many people can relate to his story.
6. “Defying Gravity” by Idina Menzel
Sometimes, you have to defy society’s expectations when pursuing your goals.
And that’s Idina Menzel’s message in her 2003 pop song.
7. “Life Is worth living” by Justin Bieber
They say hope is the anchor of the soul.
And that’s precisely the message in Justin Bieber’s 2015 electronic dance.
Bieber gives hope to anyone to never give up on life, no matter how bad it appears.
We all make mistakes sometimes.
But this doesn’t mean we should lose ourselves in the process of searching for the meaning of life.
8. “Carry On” by Fun
Fun’s ‘Carry On’ is another song about persevering under challenging moments.
You could be going through hell or a rough patch in life right now.
But the most important thing is to keep going even when it gets tough.
9. “Rise” by Katy Perry
You may remember it as NBC’s official anthem at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
But we know it as one of the most inspiring songs about rising up.
It is a mid-tempo song about rising above life’s adversities when writing your story.
The narrator is motivated to make it in life no matter how hard it gets.
10. “Up!” by Shania Twain
‘Up!’ is Shania Twain’s attempt to lift everyone’s mood.
It is an upbeat country song to cheer you up when you feel lonely or overwhelmed by emotions.
11. “Roar” by Katy Perry
Roaring is a show of confidence.
And this Katy Perry’s song is about finding your feet again when you hit rock bottom.
In life, you will be tested.
And the only question is how fast you are willing to get back on your feet and keep going.
That’s the singer’s message in this powerful song that has been linked to her high-profile divorce from Russell Brand.
12. “Brave” by Sara Bareilles
Many a time, we need a brave face and a strong heart to keep going no matter what life throws at us.
But sometimes, this can be overwhelming, with many choosing to give up instead of conquering their fears.
Sara Bareilles reminds us to find inner strength in this upbeat tune.
The lyrics are beautiful and will reassure everyone of what they can achieve if they just hang in there.
13. “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor
Gloria Gaynor’s ‘I Will Survive‘ is a girl empowerment song about getting over a bad relationship and moving on bravely.
Of course, other people have interpreted the lyrics differently.
But the most important thing is that the lyrics suit just about any situation where someone overcomes a difficult situation.
14. “Man In The Mirror” by Michael Jackson
To take a few steps forward, you must discover your identity.
That was Michael Jackson’s message in his critically acclaimed ballad.
The song is about self-reflection, with the King of Pop recognizing that any good thing we’ve ever wanted for society begins with us.
15. “I’m Alive” by Celine Dion
Celine Dion comes out as a fulfilled mother in her 2002 mid-tempo ballad.
And she reminds us that you don’t have to have it all figured out to be happy.
The song is a beautiful reminder to appreciate the little things in life.
16. “Call On Me” by Starley
Starley’s ‘Call On Me’ belongs to that special category of uplifting songs you never get enough of when going through difficult moments in life.
It is comforting, uplifting, and reassuring, describing the singer’s struggles to find a breakthrough in the music industry.
As the beautiful Aussie singer recalls, she wrote the song in her bedroom, “and it was about me wanting to quit music and walk away from my dream.”
The message is that you will have your lowest moments in life.
But you can let the bad days consume you or make them memorable.
17. “The Comeback” by Danny Gokey
Having hit rock bottom, Danny Gokey uses his experiences to encourage everyone to never give up on life.
This is not your ordinary pop song but a genuinely inspiring tune that will help you redefine your path.
It was almost the end of the road for Danny, having lost his wife and record contract.
But the fact he didn’t give up alone should inspire you to do more when you have the chance.
18. “It’s Not Over Yet” by For King & Country
The bumpy road to success can be scary.
And there comes a time when you will question yourself, wondering if your perseverance is even worth it in the first place.
This is the song to uplift you in such moments, reminding everyone to hang in there because their stories aren’t over just yet.
19. “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus
Overall, Miley Cyrus’ ‘The Climb’ is an inspiring tune describing the beautiful adventure that is life.
It portrays life’s difficulties, recognizing that you must overcome many obstacles to achieve your dreams.
According to Miley, the whole point of living is to never give up, no matter how bad it gets.
20. “Underdog” by Alicia Keys
Linguistically, an underdog is anyone in a competition who’s widely expected to lose.
It sums up everything we may already know about life.
You’ve probably found yourself in a place where everybody doubted your abilities.
And this is the best song to shut the haters up by never allowing circumstances to define your fate.
21. “I’m Still Standing” by Elton John
Elton John gave us a gem when he released this beautiful pop song in 1983.
The up-tempo ballad is about building yourself after a heartbreak.
In the song, Elton reveals that he’s moved on from his ex and is doing better than ever.
Sometimes, you need such lyrics to remind you that there’s much more to life than staying in a toxic affair.
22. “Titanium” by David Guetta
Songs about determination don’t get much better than David Guetta’s Titanium.
The singer reminds us of our inner strength, comparing it to the alloying agent.
It describes how a strong mindset can shape your life.
23. “Let It Go” by Idina Menzel
Fear and anxiety can always hold you back.
But Idina Menzel wants everyone to let go of the bad memories and live their lives to the fullest.
24. “The Champion” by Carrie Underwood ft. Ludacris
Carrie Underwood and Ludacris released this song to inspire everyone to conquer their fears by always believing in themselves.
It continues to lift spirits around the world with powerful lyrics oozing the message of courage everybody needs to achieve their dreams.
25. “Stronger” by Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson’s ‘Stronger’ is one of the most popular songs about staying strong in the face of adversity.
In life, you will face more hurdles than you would probably imagine.
And what matters most is how fast you rise from the setback and get back on your feet.
That’s precisely the American vocalist’s message in her empowering ballad, encouraging everyone to have the courage to stand tall in the dark moments.
26. “The Show Must Go On” by Queen
‘The Show Must Go On’ covers an emotional moment in Freddie Mercury’s life.
It reflected the singer’s bravery and optimistic attitude to life when he was battling HIV/AIDS.
He maintained a brave face and kept performing even when his health deteriorated.
The song has appeared in the top 10 list in many country music charts, becoming one of the best singles from the band’s 1991 ‘Greatest Hits II’ album.
27. “Win” by Brian McKnight
This is one of the best songs about not giving up.
It is about hope, faith, and desire to keep pushing as the best strategy to winning.
Many people resonate with the song’s lyrics because they encourage everyone to keep chasing their dreams no matter their background.
‘Never lose hope/Never lose faith/There’s so much at stake.’
The lyrics are as inspiring as they come.
28. “Hold On” by Wilson Phillips
The only good thing about pain is that it makes you stronger.
And that’s the inspiring message behind Wilson Phillips’ powerful ballad.
It talks about the singer’s struggles with life’s obstacles but never giving in.
Even if Wilson’s story revolves around his battle with drug addiction, anyone will find the all-round encouragement message quite inspiring.
29. “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten
Rachel Platten recounts that she was at her lowest point in life when she wrote her 2015 hit song.
It was one of the most inspiring tunes of 2015 and continues to inspire a whole generation.
The empowering, emotional, and honest song has a simple message; to never lose hope in life because everything gets better in the end.
30. “Skyscraper” by Demi Lovato
You can achieve a lot by believing in yourself.
In this Demi Lovato masterpiece, she shares a powerful message of strength and self-belief.
It is the classic tale of redefining your life, gathering the pieces, and rebuilding yourself even when others try to put you down.
31. “Courage To Change” by Sia
Sia’s ‘Courage To Change’ is yet another simple yet graceful song, encouraging the listeners to be the change they want to see.
Or, as some would say, making the world a better place.
And to do that, you need courage and unwavering self-belief.
While the singer isn’t sure if she’ll leave a lasting legacy, she still encourages everyone to face their fears because that’s the only way to make a positive change.
32. “Who Says” by Selena Gomez & The Scene
Sometimes, you must kill the negative voices in your head that keep telling you that you can’t make it in life.
Haters and jealous people will always try to bring you down no matter how hard you try.
And Selena Gomez is encouraging everyone to be themselves without worrying too much about what people say.
The up-tempo ballad can be viewed as a self-empowerment anthem to motivate people.
33. “Made A Way” by Travis Greene
Travis Greene’s ‘Made A Way’ is an inspirational anthem about how God works his miracles.
The song talks about the Almighty’s intervention in different situations, changing the singer’s life in a way he could never imagine.
According to many, Travis’ hit song was more prophetic than entertaining, describing how God makes a way out of nothing.
34. “You’re Gonna Be Okay” by Brian & Jenny Johnson
In life, you will be tested in more ways than you could ever imagine.
And that’s precisely why Jenny Johnson released this song to encourage everyone battling different obstacles in life.
The singer was at the lowest moment in her life but had an option to trust in God to change her fortunes.
Whatever storm you are facing right now, always remember that everything must come to pass.
35. “Let It Be” by The Beatles
There’s genuine power in letting go.
And ‘Let It Be’ simply means worrying less about your troubles.
We can’t guarantee that you will always find instant solutions to your problems.
But worrying about them all the time only worsens the situation.
So, how about letting go and staying positive, knowing every storm shall come to pass?
36. “Eye Of The Tiger” by Survivor
‘Eye Of The Tiger’ is Survivor’s classic reminder to keep your eyes on the prize.
It is a symbolic phrase about maintaining a laser-focused approach when pursuing your goals.
37. “Fighter” by Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera combined R&B and rock elements to give us one of the best songs about never giving up.
It is about staying strong in the face of adversity, with the singer using her difficult childhood as an inspiration.
The incredible vocals pair well with the inspiring lyrics, giving everyone the strength to fight for better days.
38. “Don’t Give Up” by Peter Gabriel
Gabriel had a powerful message in this duet about never giving up, no matter the situation.
While the singer acknowledges that handling failure and disappointment is probably the hardest thing to do, giving up is even worse.
So, stay strong and embrace the pain because that’s the best way to win.
39. “Keep Holding On” by Avril Lavigne
This song is about friendship and how true friends help each other.
It is about how true friends support each other, being there for one another in good and bad times.
40. “I’m a Survivor” by Reba McEntire
One of Reba McEntire’s best songs talks about girl empowerment.
The narration follows the painful life of an innocent girl, born prematurely and growing up as a single mom.
As one of the inspirational figures from the 90s, Reba’s song is about the power of resilience and how anyone can succeed no matter what life gives them.
41. “You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban
‘You Raise Me Up’ conveys a strong message of strength.
It is about someone who strengthens you and gives you hope to pull through life’s obstacles.
Its beautiful message becomes even more relatable for a song that continues to inspire many individuals around the world.
And anyone looking for strength, hope, and perseverance will probably resonate with the track.
42. “Girl on Fire” by Alicia Keys
Alicia Key’s ‘Girl On Fire’ is one of the most empowering songs about life.
The inspiring song is about letting go of whatever is holding you back, literally putting you on fire, as the American singer says.
43. “It Is Well With My Soul” by Horatio Spafford
Horatio Spafford had lost it all; his four daughters, business, and wealth.
But in the midst of the pain, he found strength in God, asserting that all was well with his soul.
It is such an affirmation that keeps you going in difficult times.
Maybe we can never say that we have it all figured out.
But with God on our side, everything looks possible, hence the phrase, ‘it is well with my soul.’
44. “It’s My Life” by Bon Jovi
As the title suggests, this song is about living your life to the fullest.
Think of it as a song about self-assertion, affirming the singer’s desire to stand tall in the face of adversity.
He recognizes that living life on his terms won’t be easy, but he will do it anyway because it’s his life.
45. “Stronger” by Kanye West
Kanye West’s ‘Stronger’ is the perfect depiction of what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger.
It is about the tough resolve you build after facing life’s obstacles.
Kanye says every pain you endure today helps shape your future.
And we can’t dispute that.
46. “Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey
Journey’s ‘Don’t Stop Believin” is a powerful song with a timeless message about belief.
It is based on positive thinking and optimism when you reach the end of the road.
When Jonathan Cain, one of the song’s co-writers, wanted to give up on his music career, his dad’s message was, ‘don’t stop believing.”
And that was the origin of an iconic song with a title that has served many people so well in recent years.
47. “Imperfections” by Celine Dion
‘Imperfections’ is a mid-tempo ballad that finds Celine Dion assessing her life.
She paints the picture of a lady in a budding relationship but only willing to commit after addressing her imperfections.
It is a self-empowerment song meant to inspire older women, encouraging them to love themselves for who they are.
48. “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift
Celebrity life seems to magnify an individual’s mistakes.
And at some point, Taylor Swift had to tell off her haters for the endless negative talk about her.
People will criticize you even when they know nothing about your story.
And perhaps the best way to handle that is by controlling how you react to them.
Like Swift, you will probably want to learn how to shake off the negative energy and spread the good vibes.
49. “Keep Your Head Up” by Ben Howard
Ben Howard won’t let you face life’s obstacles alone without reminding you to keep your head up.
It’s an upbeat tune with sad lyrics and a strong message.
50. “Made For This” by Carrollton
The American contemporary Christian music band wrote this song for their families.
As we pursue our purpose on earth, we must be willing to persevere in the face of obstacles.
Because it’s only after we are tested that we will truly know the meaning of life.
And this song has a message of perseverance that everybody will find worthwhile when pursuing their goals.
51. “Resilient” by Katy Perry
Another one by the beloved American pop singer.
This song is a tribute to everyone who’s had to defy the odds to succeed.
It brings out the theme of perseverance, reminding everyone to get back up when they get knocked down.
52. “Something Big” by Shawn Mendes
Shawn Mendes is known for his upbeat singles that never fail to capture his fans’ attention.
And in the classic Mendes style, he sends a message of positivity to his fans in this song.
Like the name, the song affirms that beautiful things can happen to us, probably referencing the singer’s successful tour in the summer of 2014.
53. “Live Like You Were Dying” by Tim McGraw
Tough moments will give you a new perspective on life.
Lyrically, Tim McGraw’s song takes the listeners on an emotional rollercoaster, describing the story of a man whose father is dying.
The old man, probably realizing that there’s little he can do to save the situation, decides to live his life to the fullest.
Anyone battling life’s obstacles, like life-threatening diseases, will find a new meaning to this song.
54. “Lost In The Echo” by Linkin Park
We all have those bad memories we wouldn’t want to go back to.
And this song is about battling bad experiences in life to achieve our goals.
55. “Float On” by The Modest Mouse
Isaac Brock, the band’s lead singer, was fed up with how dark everything appeared, and he chose to express his feelings using this song.
It is a reassuring anthem that no matter how bad it appears, everything will be alright in the end.
Floating on simply means looking at the positive side of life, no matter how dark it appears.
56. “Survivor” by Destiny’s Child
‘Survivor‘ by Destiny’s Child is a song for sad occasions.
There’s a time when things don’t seem to work out, no matter how hard you try.
And that’s the perfect moment to play such tracks on repeat to reassure you that you will get over it unscathed.
57. “Hall of Fame” by The Script
The Script’s ‘Hall Of Fame’ is a beautiful song that sends a powerful message about self-belief.
The idea has always been that you can make it if you try.
And a few songs bring out the theme better than the Irish band’s inspirational ballad.
It encourages everyone to dream big and believe in themselves no matter what the detractors want to say.
Just do it even when you feel a little scared or too weak to pursue your dreams.
58. “Warrior” by Demi Lovato
Demi gave us a gem in his 4th studio album using personal lyrics that many fans continue to resonate with.
In the track, she sees herself as a warrior because of all the battles she’s had to fight.
And she thinks this could inspire anyone experiencing bad moments in life.
59. “Sun Comes Up” by Rudimental ft. James Arthur
Naturally, the sun only shines after darkness, ushering in a new dawn.
So, if you are battling life’s obstacles, just hang in there, knowing better days are yet to come.
Sometimes, that’s all we want to hear to reassure us that all is not lost.
60. “Get Up Stand Up” by Bob Marley
At #60 is an iconic song by a legendary reggae star.
Bob Marley remains one of the most influential figures in history, thanks to his deep political and religious sentiments.
Growing up in Jamaica, Marley’s fearlessness and commitment to tackling social injustice inspired many.
He wrote this song with Peter Tosh to fight for the Rastafarian religion.
And the phrase is still a universal hymn, giving everyone the strength and power to fight for what they believe in.
Songs About Strength – Final Thoughts
In life, some days will be challenging.
Some will be easy.
But giving up should never be an option, no matter how hard it gets.
You may be facing the biggest obstacles today, but remember the bad times only create good memories.
You only need the courage to walk away when you have to and the strength to keep going when it gets tough.
And you certainly can’t go wrong with our list of the 60 best songs about strength.
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