When life gives you lemons, let music be your sugar. Let’s immerse ourselves in 20 songs about not giving up. You’re stronger than you think, and it’s okay to lean on music when you need a bit of a boost!
Popular music, irrespective of genre, has an abundance of such songs—melodies that are not just catchy but deeply meaningful, songs that serve as your personal cheerleader, your musical light at the end of the tunnel. These are the songs that testify to the enduring human spirit, the songs that say, “hang on,” even when everything seems to fall apart.
Contents
- 1. “Don’t Stop Believin” by Journey
- 2. “Here Comes The Sun” by The Beatles
- 3. “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus
- 4. “Hold On” by Shawn Mendes
- 5. “Survivor” by Destiny’s Child
- 6. “Who Says” by Selena Gomez & The Scene
- 7. “I Made It (Cash Money Heroes)” by Kevin Rudolf
- 8. “Confident” by Demi Lovato
- 9. “It’s Not Over Yet” by For King & Country
- 10. “Can’t Keep Up” by Tourist ft. Will Heard
- 11. “Journey To The Past” by Liz Callaway
- 12. “Call On Me” by Starley
- 13. “Carry On” by Fun
- 14. “Life Is Worth Living” by Justin Bieber
- 15. “I Won’t Let Go” by Rascal Flatts
- 16. “The Show Must Go On” by Queen
- 17. “Swim Good” by Frank Ocean
- 18. “Try” by Pink
- 19. “Courage To Change” by Sia
- 20. “Let’s Go” by Khalid
- Final Thoughts
1. “Don’t Stop Believin” by Journey
Journey’s classic, “Don’t Stop Believin'” is like a power boost for the soul. Its timeless lyrics promote growth and transformation. A track that’s sure to inspire you to keep pushing forward.
2. “Here Comes The Sun” by The Beatles
This deceptively simple, acoustic-led song features several time signature changes, a Moog synthesizer, and lyrics that talk of a tough winter that has finally passed. The message undoubtedly still resonates today – it is the most-streamed Beatles’ song on Spotify.
3. “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus
Though hailing from the Hannah Montana: The Movie soundtrack, “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus offers a surprisingly profound and mature message. It encourages listeners to conquer self-doubt, aim for the stars, and embrace the journey with all its hurdles. It’s about understanding that life isn’t always smooth sailing, but every struggle adds to your growth story.
4. “Hold On” by Shawn Mendes
Shawn Mendes’ emotional ballad “Hold On” is all about resilience and the power of leaning on loved ones. In the song, Shawn turns to his father for comfort and advice, and receives the timeless wisdom to keep holding on, because life always has more in store.
5. “Survivor” by Destiny’s Child
This is surely the most known Destiny’s Child song that the group has ever released. With a discography full of empowering numbers about being an independent woman with inner strength, “Survivor” is fiercely on brand. It speaks of keeping your integrity, working hard, and thriving despite people doubting your ability to go through with it.
6. “Who Says” by Selena Gomez & The Scene
In “Who Says”, Selena speaks to someone who judged and doubted her. The song is at once an affirmation of who she is and an acceptance of her imperfections which are uniquely hers. The chorus expands that circle of acceptance, questioning all the doubters who might try to discourage you and hold you back from everything you could be.
7. “I Made It (Cash Money Heroes)” by Kevin Rudolf
Kevin Rudolf’s “I Made It” is a triumphant soundtrack to success. In this track, Rudolf reminisces about his journey from dreaming to living those dreams. It’s a perfect example of resilience, perseverance, and the rewards of not giving up, no matter where you come from.
8. “Confident” by Demi Lovato
“Confident” is about not holding back from your own power. The chorus asks rhetorically “What’s wrong with being confident?”. It’s a rallying cry for all the ladies out there hesitant to flex their strength for fear of pushback. It’s all about grabbing the reins of your life, and saying yes to self-belief.
9. “It’s Not Over Yet” by For King & Country
“For King & Country’s” track “It’s Not Over Yet” is a universal pick-me-up. It’s a song that speaks to your inner demons, pushing back against despair and encouraging you to fight on, even when things seem bleak.
10. “Can’t Keep Up” by Tourist ft. Will Heard
In this collaboration, Will Heard sings about working hard even in the absence of any support or love. Although the chorus of “I can’t keep up” sounds like an admission of defeat, the lyrics talk about determination dispute a lonely and unforgiving road.
11. “Journey To The Past” by Liz Callaway
This Oscar-nominated song is about facing the unknown with optimism and anticipation, despite the fears that accompany the journey. This duet, from the 1997 animated film “Anastasia,” is exactly what you’d expect from an animated film’s major song: full of excellent enunciation and bursting with vibrant energy.
12. “Call On Me” by Starley
Starley reaches out to someone who is feeling powerless in “Call on Me.” She offers them to reach out to her for guidance, promising to do whatever it takes (even manipulating the odds) to get them out alive. This upbeat dance tune is short and charming, with a deep message at its core, reminding listeners that they are not alone in their struggles.
13. “Carry On” by Fun
“Carry On” by Fun is a beacon of hope to anyone feeling down and out. Through a stirring melody and heartfelt lyrics, the song empowers listeners to keep going, no matter what life throws at them. With a vibe that escalates in intensity, the track’s core message resonates—positivity can help you overcome all hurdles.
14. “Life Is Worth Living” by Justin Bieber
With “Life Is Worth Living”, Justin Bieber hits an introspective note. This melodious track sends a powerful message about the value of life, even when faced with dark and challenging times. With a new level of self-awareness, Bieber muses about redemption and seeking guidance in a track that resonated deeply with his fanbase.
15. “I Won’t Let Go” by Rascal Flatts
This piano-led ballad by Rascal Flatts addresses someone who is hurting and wants to let them know that they needn’t go through the hardship alone. The rousing chorus of “I will stand by you” is a classic motif in pop music and a reminder that no matter how bad things get, there will always be someone there to help.
16. “The Show Must Go On” by Queen
This Queen classic portrays a performer who takes the stage, even though their heart is breaking. It may make us think of famous figures who have to contend with personal demons and the relentless pressure from their audience but the song is relatable for anyone who has had to put on a brave face.
17. “Swim Good” by Frank Ocean
Frank Ocean’s “Swim Good” spins a surreal tale of escape and resilience. Despite its grim narrative, the track uncovers a unique strand of optimism, as the protagonist yearns for a fresh start. This soulful exploration of the will to break free from pain and adversity is a haunting anthem of survival.
18. “Try” by Pink
In “Try”, Pink sings about how love and desire are bound up with heartache. Like many of the songs on this list, the song is brutally honest about the inevitability of pain and despite that, it maintains a fighting spirit. Pink believes that we have to “get up and try”.
19. “Courage To Change” by Sia
Sia’s “Courage To Change” is a soul-searching journey for a meaningful life. The chorus poses the poignant question, “Have I the courage to change?” but reassures us that we’re not alone in our struggles. As the song unfolds, its empowering undercurrent sweeps you away, making for an emotional listening experience.
20. “Let’s Go” by Khalid
Khalid’s “Let’s Go” is an anthem of liberation, urging you to shake off sorrow and embrace the thrill of an unknown journey. The track buzzes with a contagious energy that tempts you to let loose, to let go of everything that holds you back and dive headfirst into the unknown.
Final Thoughts
And there you have it – 20 compelling tunes about perseverance, resilience, and overcoming life’s trials. Music has always been a conduit for potent messages, and the theme of never giving up is a timeless one. At some point, we all need a lyrical pick-me-up to keep us going. So hit play on these tracks and find your motivation anthem in the mix!
