Every now and then, we could all use a little extra inspiration and drive. There’s no better approach to improve your mood than listening to motivational and inspirational music.

According to research, listening to music can improve your emotions, make you happy, and lower your anxiety levels. It can inspire you to start running, encourage you to be more active, or facilitate your socialization.

To help you discover your inspirational mojo, I’ve hand-picked the top 35 motivating songs, no matter what you’re working on. They will definitely make you feel better and have you bursting at the seams with their upbeat and motivational songs!

Inspirational Songs

1. Destiny’s Child — Survivor

This timeless inspirational song was composed by Destiny Child amid a challenging time in her career. The pun that compared the band to the reality TV program Survivor and mentioned that three of the group’s members had already departed the group served as the inspiration for the song.

Beyoncé was motivated to write a song with the same title because she was encouraged to transform this bad statement into a good one. The song has since inspired and motivated millions of people worldwide.

Inspirational Lyrics:

“I’m a survivor / I’m not gonna give up / I’m not gonna stop / I’m gonna work harder

I’m a survivor / I’m gonna make it / I will survive / keep on surviving”

2. The Beatles — Let it Be

This one is full of practical advice for when circumstances are out of your control. Let it Be was inspired by a dream Paul McCartney, the song’s writer and singer, had about his mother at a stressful time in 1968 while the band was recording The White Album. When he was only fourteen years old, his mother passed away from cancer. She is the “Mother Mary” that the song refers to.

This uplifting tune has consistently appeared on lists of The Greatest Songs of All Time and has been one of the most well-liked Beatles songs.

Inspirational Lyrics:

“And when the broken-hearted people / Living in the world agree / There will be an answer / Let it be”

3. Skepta — Hold On

Though little is known about the British rapper and MC Skepta outside of the UK, his lyrics undoubtedly give inspiration and encouragement to anyone facing an obstacle that seems insurmountable. Hold On, which came out on January 1, 2012, has lyrics about overcoming haters and thriving in spite of them.

Inspirational Lyrics:

“Whenever you feel like letting go / And you’ve got your back against the wall / Hold on, hold on, cause you are undefeatable”

4. Alicia Keys — Girl on Fire

This song is the best for preparing girls for significant, terrifying life events. The birth of their son Egypt and Alicia Keys’s marriage to Swizz Beatz served as the basis for Girl on Fire. The song was released in September 2012 in two versions: the original version with Nicki Minaj, the other boss babe, and a remix starring her.

This song is strong and encouraging, with bold lyrics and Alicia Keys’ powerful vocals that will give you the confidence you need to take your next big step, whatever it may be.

Inspirational Lyrics:

“Oh, we got our feet on the ground / And we’re burning it down / Oh, got our head in the clouds / And we’re not coming down”

5. Eminem — Lose Yourself

This list wouldn’t be the same without one of Eminem’s iconic songs. Rapper Lose Yourself, which was composed for the 2002 film 8 Mile’s soundtrack, captures the essence of Eminem’s B-Rabbit character’s past flawlessly. It skillfully combines a number of powerful themes in a way that is easy to understand, showing how the character overcomes adversity and struggles to succeed and win others’ respect in the end. When life feels more like a boxing fight than a stroll in the park, this song is ideal.

Inspirational Lyrics:

“You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow / This opportunity comes once in a lifetime”

 6. Don’t Give Up — Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush

This gentle classic juxtaposes Peter Gabriel’s portrayal of complete despair with Kate Bush’s words of comfort and encouragement, drawn from Dorothea Lange’s Depression-era photographs.

This Proud Land, a 1973 book, introduced English vocalist Peter Gabriel to Lange’s images of destitute Americans surviving in dust bowl circumstances. Given the difficult financial circumstances many people in England were facing as a result of Margaret Thatcher’s policies, he felt a song about them would be appropriate. The duet was published as a record with Kate Bush in 1986 after Gabriel’s first attempt was turned down by the legendary American singer Dolly Parton.

Inspirational Lyrics:

“Don’t give up / ’Cause you have friends / Don’t give up / You’re not beaten yet”

7. Try Again — Aaliyah

Forget the lines; this song’s chorus speaks volumes about all those terrible instances in which you have invested time, money, and energy in something that has failed and left you feeling let down. Romeo Must Die’s debut single, “Try Again,” was produced by Timbaland and released in February 2000.

Aaliyah was never able to reach her full potential as an actor or singer since she tragically died in an airplane tragedy the following year. With its upbeat chorus and danceable tempo, this song is strongly associated with her legacy.

Inspirational Lyrics:

“If at first you don’t succeed (first you don’t succeed) / Dust yourself off, and try again”

Motivating Songs

8. Survivor — Eye of the Tiger

This timeless song’s easily identifiable opening section will get you pumped and moving! Eye of the Tiger, with its infectious opening riff and motivational lyrics, went on to become one of the biggest tunes of 1982 and is a strong favorite among runners and athletes, in part because it was used as the Rocky III movie’s theme song. Survivor is an excellent starting point for any task, be it cleaning the home, climbing a massive flight of stairs (a la Rocky), or preparing for your upcoming marathon.

Inspirational Lyrics:

“It’s the eye of the tiger / It’s the thrill of the fight / Rising up to the challenge of our rival”

9. The Roots — Now or Never

Or, depending on how you want to look at it, “The Song for Change.” This song may resonate with you if you’re at a crossroads in your life and need inspiration to turn things around. Now or Never, a song by American hip hop group The Roots, is about making a fresh start, turning a new page, and moving on. It is taken from the album How I Got Over.

Inspirational Lyrics:

“Everything’s changing around me / And I want to change too / It’s one thing I know / It ain’t cool being no fool”

10. Fort Minor — Remember the Name

Although you may not be familiar with Fort Minor, you have undoubtedly heard the singer’s voice. Remember the Name, the side project of Linkin Park’s co-lead vocalist Mike Shinoda, is an extremely catchy tune that will undoubtedly become stuck in your brain. The song, which was released in 2005, was featured in publications and on sports programming in 2006. This is a song for hustlers; no matter what challenge you’re facing, it will inspire you to keep going.

Inspirational Lyrics:

“This is ten percent luck / Twenty percent skill / Fifteen percent concentrated power of will / Five percent pleasure / Fifty percent pain / And a hundred percent reason to remember the name”

11. Switchfoot — Hello Hurricane

You’ve just discovered your song if you’re searching for an inspiring, cheerful song that will get you fired up and prepared to take on whatever life throws at you! American rock band Switchfoot originated in San Diego, California, and initially appeared in the Christian rock arena. Their 2009 album featured the title tune, “Hello Hurricane,” which is essentially a song about singing into or into a storm.

Inspirational Lyrics:

“Hello hurricane / I’ve got doors and windows boarded up / All your dead end fury is not enough”

12. Kelly Clarkson — Stronger

Is there music more appropriate to listen to when you’re feeling hopeless and defeated? Kelly Clarkson may sound like a broken heartbroken (Rolling Stone, not me), yet you can’t help but be struck by how strong her will is as she tears through this chorus.

Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You), which was released at the beginning of 2012, is all about empowerment and getting over heartbreak. This upbeat, catchy song is great for many of the challenges life throws at us, so you don’t even need to be going through a breakup to appreciate it.

Inspirational Lyrics:

“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger / Stand a little taller

Doesn’t mean I’m lonely when I’m alone

What doesn’t kill you makes a fighter”

13. Rachel Platten — Fight Song

Fight Song is a motivational song and one of my personal favorites on this list because it helped me get through a difficult period of my own! “There’s such a thing as a breakout moment for a brand-new artist, where they come out of nowhere and all of a sudden everybody is singing this song,” stated Newsweek in regards to this song.

It was released in 2015 and was recorded by American singer-songwriter Rachel Platten. Fight Song is the ideal song to listen to while preparing for the trials that lie ahead because its lyrics are so positive and upbeat.

Inspirational Lyrics:

“This is my fight song / Take back my life song / Prove I’m alright song / My power’s turned on / Starting right now I’ll be strong / I’ll play my fight song / And I don’t really care if nobody else believes / ’Cause I’ve still got a lot of fight left in me”

14. Get Up, Stand Up — Bob Marley

This inspirational, laid-back hit by musical icon Bob Marley would not be on this list without it. Inspired by the poverty Marley saw while touring in Haiti, the song first appeared on The Wailers’ 1973 album Burnin’.

Don’t let Get Up, Stand Up’s easygoing tempo deceive you; its powerful lyrics have made it one of the most well-known human rights anthems of our time. On September 23, 1980, in Pennsylvania, Bob Marley gave his final stage performance of this song.

Inspirational Lyrics:

“Get up, stand up, stand up for your rights / Get up, stand up, don’t give up the fight!”

FAQs

What are some motivational song lyrics?

Meaningful and uplifting lyrics or verses extracted from songs are known as inspirational song quotations. These quotations frequently offer encouragement and a sense of empowerment to listeners by expressing themes of optimism, motivation, resilience, and positive thinking.

Why are quotes from uplifting songs so popular?

People are drawn to inspirational song quotations because music is a potent emotional medium. These sayings have the power to encourage people to follow their aspirations, lift their spirits, and offer consolation in trying circumstances.

How do motivational song lyrics impact our attitude and state of mind?

Our attitude and frame of mind can be greatly influenced by inspirational music quotes. They are capable of:

• Encourage a positive attitude on life in order to boost positivity.
• Boost Motivation: Encourage activity in the direction of your objectives.
• Offer Solace: Offer consolation at trying circumstances.
• Encourage Resilience: bolster the will to get past challenges.