21 Songs About Not Giving Up (2023)

Do you feel down or the world is not on your side? Do you feel like everything you do is not going the way you want it to be? You might be looking for something to push you forward. 

Continue scrolling down. Who knows, a song is all you need to keep going.

Here’s our list of the 21 best songs about not giving up to motivate you to keep fighting.

21. Hold On – Wilson Phillips

Wilson Phillips is not an individual person but a band of three-girl vocalists who are daughters of famous singers (Carnie and Wendy Wilson, daughters of Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys; and Chynna Phillips, daughter of John and Michelle Wilson of The Mamas and The Papas). Hold On is the first hit of Wilson Phillips that topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 1990. The song reflects the fight of Chynna Phillips from her dark past.

20. Never Give Up – Sia

Australian singer-songwriter Sia recorded Never Give Up in 2016 as a soundtrack for the movie Lion. The song’s music video shows two children looking for each other in a train station; this somewhat supports the plot of the movie. The song was nominated for Best Song Written for Visual Media in the Grammy Awards.

19. I Don’t Ever Give Up – Patty Griffin

I Don’t Ever Give Up is from Patty Griffin’s Children Running Through Album, her sixth commercially released album and fifth studio album. This is an inspirational song that talks about not giving up even if you are in the worst situation, even if the world is uninviting and a lot of bad things are happening. 

18. I’m Still Standing – Elton John

This is one of those hits that Elton John and his partner lyricist Bernie Taupin had written. I’m Still Standing is a track from Elton John’s 1983 album Too Low for Zero which received nominations in MTV Video Music Award for Best Choreography, MTV Video Music Award for Best Editing. 

17. I Hope You Dance – Lee Ann Womack

This is a very touching song especially for mothers and children. It tells of a mother’s desires for her children. With Lee Ann Womack in the vocals, featuring Sons of the Desert, I Hope You Dance is a part of the album with the same title as the song. It has won several prestigious awards since its release in 2000.

16. Defying Gravity – Idina Menzel

From the girl who made Let It Go from the movie Frozen popular, here’s another hit that will defy gravity. Idina Menzel sang this song for the Wicked musical in 2003. Idina Menzel performed this song in the movie as Elphaba, The Wicked Witch of the West. 

15. Stronger –  Kelly Clarkson

“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” This can be a good motto in life to live by. Kelly Clarkson’s song, Stronger, is an encouraging song which says that whatever life throws at you, if you are still breathing it will make you a stronger person. Stronger was released in 2011 from Kelly’s fifth studio album.

14. I won’t Give Up – Jason Mraz

I won’t Give Up is from Jason Mraz’s album Love is a Four Letter Word which was released in 2012. The song is about taking care of a relationship. There may be times when a relationship doesn’t go well, but if we are understanding of our partner, just like the persona in the song, everything will turn out right.

13. You Gotta Be – Des’ree

British pop singer-songwriter Des’ree became popular in the 90’s with her pop songs including her song You Gotta Be. This song is included in her album I ain’t Movin’ which was released in 1994. “You gotta be hard, you gotta be tough, you gotta be stronger…” This song is just so motivating.

12. Rise – Katy Perry

This is a fighter’s song. From the title of the album itself, Power Hits 2016, you can really feel the power of this song. Katy Perry will awaken your power to fight whatever adversary you are going through. It encourages us not to be shaken and not to doubt ourselves because victory is in our veins.

11. Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey

Don’t Stop Believin’ is from the American rock band Journey. This song was released in 1981 under their album Escape. This song talks about the journey of people from different origins and status in life. Wherever we came from we should not stop believing in our dreams; we should keep the faith if we want to reach them.

10. Here Comes the Sun – Beatles

Who wouldn’t know the singer of this song? Here Comes the Sun is a metaphor that tells us that after the storm (problem) the sun will shine (better days will come). Written by George Harrison in 1969, this song was featured in Hollywood movies like Parent Trap (1998) starring Lindsay Lohan and in Bee Movie in 2007.

9. Whatever it Takes – Imagine Dragons

Whatever It Takes is from American pop rock band Imagine Dragons, from their album Evolve wish was released in 2017. This song is encouraging us not to be afraid to stand out in the crowd, be unique and to reach the top. The persona in the song enjoys challenges and finds fulfillment when he is able to break free from the chains that pull him.  

8. Win – Brian Mcknight

This song is about persevering to succeed. It tells us not to lose hope and faith despite all the challenges that come our way. Let us not allow opportunity to slip away because the time to succeed is now. We should leave a legacy so that people can remember us 100 years from now. Sung by Brian Mcknight, Win is a part of his album and the motion picture Men of Honor which was released in 2000.

7. Eye of the Tiger – Survivor

The band’s name who sang Eye of the Tiger itself will make you not give up. Eye of the Tiger was featured in Sylvester Stallone’s movie Rocky III in 1982; then, it became a chart topper in the Billboard pop chart. The song’s beat and lyrics will stay in your brain when you hear this song.

 6. Skyscraper – Demi Lovato

Skyscraper is a symbolic song sung by American singer-songwriter-actress Demi Lovato. This song represents how Lovato stood firm and high after battling with bipolar disorder in 2010. After her treatment in the facility, she recorded this song under her Unbroken Album which made her win several awards.

5. I Will Survive – Gloria Gaynor

This is a song that still survives until now. It was released in 1978 under the Love Tracks Album by Gloria Gaynor and is still being sung in karaoke bars until now. This is also the theme song of women who have gone through a bad relationship and want to prove that they will bounce back despite being thrown in the ground.

4. Unstoppable – Sia

Unstoppable is one of the tracks in Australian singer-songwriter Sia’s seventh studio album entitled This is Acting which was released in 2016. Sia was able to motivate listeners again with this song. Unstoppable teaches us to become strong and not to let others or any circumstances hinder us from reaching our goals.

3. Fight Song – Rachel Platten

This song became popular during the pandemic and was able to uplift the spirit of a lot of people. Rachel Platten’s Fight Song was released in 2004 under the album with the same title as the song. It has won in the iHeartRadio Music Award for Best Lyrics.  

2. Rise Up – Andra Day

Cassandra Monique Batie, professionally known as Andra day, sang this song for a friend who is battling against a terminal illness. The song was originally written as a prayer, but later on included as a part of Andra’s album Cheers to the Fall which was released in 2015 which has gained nominations and awards from prestigious award-giving bodies.

1. Survivor – Destiny’s Child

Beyonce Knowles, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams are the ‘survivors’ of the American musical girl group Destiny’s Child. This song was written by Beyonce in response to a joke that members of their band are gradually leaving just like in the reality show, Survivor. The lyrics of the song tell that the persona was not badly affected when they left her, but instead it made her to even become more successful.

 

Whatever you are going through, remember that we only get inspiration or motivation from others. The will to survive and become successful is still within us. Keep the faith and keep thriving!