Perseverance is the art of moving through challenging moments and embracing life in its highs and lows. However, when experiencing a low moment in life, it can be tricky to muster up the power we need to persevere.
That’s why we’ve created this list of 25 of the best songs about perseverance. With inspiring songs that have encouraged listeners worldwide, these tracks will help remind listeners to reclaim their power and persevere through life’s challenges. Let’s get started.
1. “Unstoppable” By Sia
Australian singer-songwriter Sia is known for her powerful and expressive voice. Though “Unstoppable,” from her 2016 album This Is Acting, does not have “perseverance” in its title, it is a testament to its power.
This song features a chorus that sings about how invincible, strong, and powerful people are. The background music swells, making this a fantastic song to blast when listeners need some motivation to remind them of how strong they are.
While it starts slow, “Unstoppable” crescendos into a powerful anthem. It features inspiring lyrics about overcoming all obstacles by putting on armor and powering through like a luxury car without brakes.
2. “Don’t Stop Believin'” By Journey
The moment the piano starts on “Don’t Stop Believin’,” everyone is ready to sing along to this powerful Journey song about perseverance.
This song speaks about a girl and boy who take a train in pursuit of their dreams. Journey shares the highs and lows of life, the people living just to find emotion and get their thrills, and the people who are born to sing the blues.
While some will win and others will lose their battles in life, the chorus of “Don’t Stop Believin'” begs listeners to hold onto their dreams and the feeling of being alive. Most importantly, they must continue to believe in themselves, no matter what.
3. “I Will Survive” By Gloria Gaynor
American singer Gloria Gaynor released one of the best songs about perseverance in 1978 with her hit song “I Will Survive.” Since then, artists like Selena, CAKE, and Demi Lovato have covered this anthem, sharing the message that we can persevere through our worst heartbreaks.
Gaynor purposefully selected this tune in hopes of sharing a positive message with her audiences. “I Will Survive” sings about a person who’s choosing to continue living and loving,+ despite being hurt in the past.
“I Will Survive” is a song without the word “perseverance” in the lyrics, but it is about it nonetheless. It urges its listeners to hold their heads up high instead of crumbling and crying in the face of adversity.
4. “The Climb” By Miley Cyrus
One of the best songs about perseverance is sung by Miley Cyrus in the movie Hannah Montana: The Movie. While the song was released in 2009, its lyrics still ring true today to anyone that needs the strength to endure and preserve.
“The Climb” is a moving song about enjoying the journey of life. It encourages listeners to continue forward, even when there’s a chance they’ll experience failures along the way. Instead of seeing losses as setbacks, the song teaches us to see losses as parts of the journey.
The song is an ode to persevering through life, even during the tough stuff, because the efforts you exert, and the chances you take are the moments you’ll remember.
5. “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” By Kelly Clarkson
When it comes to the best songs about perseverance, this list would be incomplete without Kelly Clarkson‘s upbeat pop hit “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You).”
The chorus repeats a statement that goes back to the 1880s from the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. However, Clarkson adds a modern twist to this saying with her powerful voice.
It is paired with powerful lyrics, informing listeners that “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” This is a perfect lesson in life to learn from your struggles to become a better you.
6. “No Tears Left to Cry” By Ariana Grande
An incredible model of perseverance is Ariana Grande, whose hit song “No Tears Left to Cry” speaks directly on the topic.
After taking a hiatus from music in response to the bombing at Grande’s concert in Manchester, the first song she released was “No Tears Left to Cry.” This song speaks about moving on, persevering, and reclaiming the good in life after something tragic happens.
Ariana Grande shares her vocal range as she invites others to join her in a place of peace. She expresses how she’s picking herself up, moving on, and choosing to love even when adversity is raining down.
7. “Stronger” By Sam Feldt Ft. Kesha
The song “Stronger” calls upon its listeners to embrace life’s challenges and persevere through them. It suggests that the only way to become stronger is to face hardships head-on and not give up.
This song about perseverance is by Sam Feldt, while the singer and songwriter Kesha performs the lyrics with her powerful voice. She sings to keep the faith and continue forward and reminds listeners that they don’t break; they get stronger.
Backed by upbeat instrumentals, “Stronger” by Sam Feldt is an incredible song to add to any motivational playlist.
8. “Rule The World” By Walk Off The Earth
Burlington, Ohio, indie pop band Walk Off the Earth released an exceptional song about perseverance, “Rule the World,” in 2015.
The band sings of how the world tells them to be the opposite of what they want to be, and instead of complying, they “materialize the feeling to carry on,” go against the tide and persevere toward their goals.
“Rule the World” is an anthem of perseverance, with background instrumentals that complement the powerful sound of the voices chanting for listeners to go for their dreams despite what others may say.
9. “Survivor” By Destiny’s Child
“Survivor,” by Destiny’s Child, doesn’t need to have “perseverance” in the title to let listeners know what it is about. “Survivor” is one of the best songs about perseverance with poetic lyrics about moving forward despite hardships and heartbreak.
The three singers speak to a person who doubts their strength. The lyrics reveal how they’ve exceeded the expectations people had of them and have since grown and blossomed by overcoming heartbreak. Instead of crying, Queen Bey reminds us to laugh harder.
The chorus of “Survivor” repeats itself like life mantras to all who need the motivation to preserve, work harder, and never stop pushing forward.
10. “Shake It Off” By Taylor Swift
Queen of Stream Taylor Swift released her iconic anthem to persevere through the tough times with her hit song “Shake It Off” from her album 1989.
With upbeat vocals and happy background instrumentals, Swift reminds listeners that people will judge them no matter what they do, so they should do what they love and shake the rest off.
Hearing Taylor sing that everything is going to be all right is all the motivation you need to persevere through life and make the moves to continue rising as you go.
11. “Roar” By Katy Perry
Pop rock contralto Katy Perry showed her teeth and perseverance with the hit song “Roar” in 2013 on her album Prism.
Perry starts this motivating song by sharing how she used to stay quiet and feel held down by those around her. By the chorus, her words state how she’s danced through fire and finally found her voice.
Listeners feel encouraged by the first-person perspective about perseverance and enduring the hard times with a repetitive chant saying, “I am a champion,” making this song a perfect addition to any perseverance playlist.
12. “Keep Holding On” By Avril Lavigne
“Keep Holding On” by Canadian singer Avril Lavigne was produced for the movie Eragon in 2006. This hit song is all about persevering through hard times and making it through life by staying strong.
It is an encouraging song that tells listeners they’re not alone. “Keep Holding On” is an ode to the bonds of friendship and how the best way to get through the hard stuff is to lean on friends and fight together.
“Keep Holding On” mentions “perseverance” metaphorically, sharing the hope of a brighter future as long as listeners hold their heads high despite the hardships.
13. “Not Afraid” By Eminem
Rapper Marshall Bruce Mathers III—known as Eminem to fans—reminds listeners that an important part of perseverance is going on boldly and without fear with his 2010 rap song “Not Afraid.”
“Not Afraid” is about strength and fearlessness in the face of hard times. Eminem shares that perseverance is doing the things we say we’ll do without caring what others may think or how they may be criticized.
When listeners need a reminder about the power of perseverance, Eminem’s “Not Afraid” is an excellent song to remind them that they are not alone on both rainy days and warm ones.
14. “Stronger” By Britney Spears
Princess of Pop Britney Spears released an anthem for perseverance with the pop song “Stronger” in 2000. The song begins with Spears saying she’s had enough and that despite with others may think of her, they’re wrong—she’s stronger than she ever thought she could be.
The chorus of “Stronger” speaks about how loneliness once crippled Spears, but now, she’s better off, finding the strength she needed in herself.
Sung in the first person, “Stronger” allows listeners to sing along to the lyrics and remind themselves that they are stronger than they were yesterday.
15. “Try Again” By Aaliyah
The angelic voice of R&B and hip-hop singer Aaliyah in the song “Try Again” is a reminder to persevere in the game of love.
The contagious chorus of this song encourages listeners to dust themselves off after a failed attempt at love and try again instead of giving up. Because first attempts at connecting can fail, “Try Again” reminds us to let love blossom over time. With perseverance, relationships can grow.
“Try Again” got produced for the movie Romeo Must Die, in which Aaliyah stars. It topped several Billboard charts and Best Video from a Film at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2000.
16. “Warrior” By Demi Lovato
“Warrior” is a ballad by Demi Lovato where they open up about the suffering of their past but reclaims their power with a moving chorus that reveals their perseverance.
With a history of abuse and mental illness, Demi Lovato sings about how the difficult moments made them into a strong person. Though the song speaks of the hardships they have endured, Lovato reminds listeners to be strong and feel like a warrior instead of feeling broken.
The music swells with soft piano and violins in the background, which accentuates Lovato’s powerful vocal range. Sung in first person, this ballad reminds listeners that they, too, are warriors.
17. “Adventure Of A Lifetime” By Coldplay
British rock band Coldplay released the cheerful song “Adventure of a Lifetime” in 2015 with upbeat music and heartfelt lyrics that contain advice about perseverance.
Instead of seeing life for its hardships, “Adventure of a Lifetime” encourages listeners to see life as an adventure. The lyrics speak about how diamonds are made from pressure, and to become the version of ourselves we wish to be, we must experience pressure and pain.
This upbeat song by Coldplay sings about the rebirth one feels after persevering and enjoying the ride of life. Let it uplift you with its beat.
18. “The Middle” By Jimmy Eat World
Arizona rock band Jimmy Eat World released a fantastic song about persevering through teenage years and young adulthood with their song “The Middle.”
“The Middle” starts with encouraging lyrics about not writing yourself off too early and focusing on doing your best. This alternative rock song speaks about growing up and enduring difficult situations in your youth as the middle of the journey, with much more yet to come.
Listeners can tap their toes and feel reassured by the repetitive chorus that chants, “Everything will be all right,” if they do their best and worry less about what others have to say.
19. “Fight Song” By Rachel Platten
New Yorker singer-songwriter Rachel Platten released “Fight Song” in 2014, but it returned to modernity as a powerful sample on social media platforms as an anthem for perseverance.
“Fight Song” starts off slow and builds with opening lyrics that express the power of a single person, like how a single match can create an explosion. Platten reminds listeners to fight on and find their inner power and strength.
The song progresses with a booming chorus about having the strength and power to persevere, even if no one believes in you. Then, it finishes with a moving repetition of the chorus, with drum beats accentuating the powerful lyrics.
20. “Started From The Bottom” By Drake
The song “Started from the Bottom” by Canadian rapper and singer-songwriter Drake is an ode to working hard to reach your dreams and persevere through setbacks.
This rap and hip-hop song tells the story of Drake’s struggle to earn his name at the top of the music charts. He raps and sings about the perseverance it took to reach his goals, from losing friends to working late.
Add this song to your next playlist for encouragement that building things takes time, but with consistent effort, anyone can achieve their dreams.
21. “You Can Get It If You Really Want” By Jimmy Cliff
If you need a pick-me-up, listen to “You Can Get It If You Really Want” by Jimmy Cliff. This happy tune shares the meaningful message that getting what we want might require you to try many times again.
Starting with brass instrumentals that instantly get you moving, this reggae piece shares the advice that if you set your mind toward something and really want it, you can succeed. However, success can only come if you try, regardless of the opposition you may face.
Play this song by Jimmy Cliff whenever you need a boost of encouragement to see failure as part of the journey to reaching your goals.
22. “Don’t Stop” By Fleetwood Mac
British-American rock band Fleetwood Mac released “Don’t Stop” to ease those moments when listeners doubt the beauty of life. “Don’t Stop” is about persevering and finding out how much better tomorrow can be than yesterday.
This meaningful song shares the positive message of seeing life differently. It urges us to focus on the future instead of letting the past get us down.
“Don’t Stop” shares the reality that, sometimes, it takes a while to smile but that the low moments are just temporary if we just push on one more day.
23. “Here Comes The Sun” By The Beatles
“Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles is a heartwarming song that uses the sunrise after a dark and cold winter as a metaphor for persevering through the challenges in life and love.
This song is like a lullaby, soothing the doubtful part inside of listeners and reminding them that the toughest parts are behind them and there’s only good yet to come.
“Here Comes the Sun” crescendos as the message that the sun is coming gets repeated, and The Beatles remind listeners to return the smiles to their faces.
24. “Believer” By Imagine Dragons
If you’re fired up and exhausted with how things have been, then “Believer” by Imagine Dragons is one of the best songs about perseverance for your motivational playlist. This song is from the American rock band’s 2017 album, Evolve.
“Believer” is a powerful song about using pain as motivation to push forward. Instead of letting challenges get them down, the song encourages listeners to believe in themselves and their ability to persevere against all odds.
The lyrics speak about using pain, like fuel to a fire, instead of attempting to push down negative feelings. Only by pushing through and moving forward do we find our strength and belief in ourselves.
25. “Titanium” By David Guetta Ft. Sia
French music producer and DJ David Guetta released an exceptional pop song about perseverance, “Titanium,” with vocals from Sia in 2011. It uses the metaphor of someone with armor made of unbreakable metal to share how, by persevering through hard times, we gain strength until nothing can hurt or break us.
Sia’s powerful voice shares the feeling of being bulletproof to other people’s perceptions, sticks, and stones.
“Titanium” serves as a reminder to listeners to tap into their inner strength and push through adversity. It is considered one of the best songs about perseverance and would make a valuable addition to any motivational playlist.
Summing Up Our List Of Perseverance Songs
Whether you need the motivation to push through the pain at the gym or a pick-me-up after a breakup, these artists have encapsulated a dose of perseverance into these moving songs so that listeners can feel encouraged to push forward.
As many of the greats have said, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” Add these songs about perseverance to your next playlist as a reminder of just that.
