Are you looking for songs about working hard? Finding one shouldn’t be difficult, especially because almost everyone can relate to this topic. If you think working hard is only for the naturally gifted and talented, think again. These artists have shared their perspectives on what it truly means to put in the effort, and we love it!
Here are the 21 best songs about working hard:
Table of Contents
- 21. Survivor — Destiny’s Child
- 20. Eye of the Tiger — Survivor
- 19. I Will Survive — Gloria Gaynor
- 18. Brave — Sara Bareilles
- 17. Don’t Stop Believin’ — Journey
- 16. Skyscraper — Demi Lovato
- 15. Six Days on The Road — Dave Dudley
- 14. You Gotta Be — Des’ree
- 13. Whatever It Takes — Imagine Dragons
- 12. Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) — Kelly Clarkson
- 11. Fight Song — Rachel Platten
- 10. Hall of Fame — The Script
- 9. Rise Up — Andra Day
- 8. Let It Be — The Beatles
- 7. The Climb — Miley Cyrus
- 6. Rise — Katy Perry
- 5. When You Believe — Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey
- 4. Roar — Katy Perry
- 3. Move Along — The All-American Rejects
- 2. Carry On — fun.
- 1. Fighter — Christina Aguilera
21. Survivor — Destiny’s Child
Genres: Rhythm and blues, Pop music
Album: Survivor (2001)
“Survivor” is a pop song released by former American girl group Destiny’s Child. The song is about surviving hardships, gaining back independence, and acquiring success during the process. The lyrics suggest resilience, empowering its listeners to push through difficulties and never give up.
20. Eye of the Tiger — Survivor
Genre: Hard rock
Album: Eye of the Tiger (1982)
“Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor is a song about rising to the challenge of an enemy. The lyrics suggest that being ruthless to your enemy is the only way to survive. Just like a lion, you must be stealthy while observing your prey. However, this isn’t a violent song. You can refer to the verses if you’re wondering which enemy the song is referring to. In this case, the enemy is exchanging passion for glory.
19. I Will Survive — Gloria Gaynor
Genres: Disco, Rock
Album: Love Tracks (1978)
“I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor is a song about a betrayed woman. The song gives us a glimpse of our initial reaction to betrayal—fear, anxiety, and uncertainty. But instead of completely breaking down and falling apart, the woman chose to move on with her life.
18. Brave — Sara Bareilles
Genres: Power pop, Adult Contemporary, Singer-Songwriter
Album: The Blessed Unrest (2013)
“Brave” by Sara Bareilles is a song about being brave to face the truth. The song encourages the listeners to speak their truth, be who they are, and say what they want to say. According to the music, being brave is being to yourself, even if it means taking a risk or facing rejection.
17. Don’t Stop Believin’ — Journey
Genre: Pop
Album: Escape (1981)
“Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey is a song of encouragement to keep holding on to hope and persevere even when facing adversity. The song’s introduction tells a story of a boy who grew up in a small town and dreamt of more significant things. As he held on to hope, he achieved much greater things.
16. Skyscraper — Demi Lovato
Genre: Pop
Album: Unbroken (2011)
“Skyscraper” is a pop song by Demi Lovato about working hard on self-recovery and overcoming difficulties. Demi Lovato is one of the most prominent advocates of mental health and recovery from addiction in Hollywood. She even admitted to going to rehab in 2010. However, she has found the strength to overcome her struggles and emerge stronger.
15. Six Days on The Road — Dave Dudley
Genre: Country
Album: Six Days on the Road (1997)
“Six Days on The Road” by Dave Dudley shows us the perspective of every truck driver’s struggles. If you want to see what working hard looks like, you can refer to them. Being away from family while carrying a huge responsibility is no easy feat. Consider the long hours, the fatigue, and the loneliness that come with the job.
14. You Gotta Be — Des’ree
Genre: R&B/Soul
Album: I Ain’t Movin’ (1994)
“You Gotta Be” by British singer Des’ree is a song about determination and confidence. The song tells us to challenge what the future holds and dream bigger, urging the audience to believe in themselves and their talents.
13. Whatever It Takes — Imagine Dragons
Genres: Contemporary R&B, Children’s Music, Arena rock, Pop
Album: Evolve (2017)
“Whatever It Takes” by Imagine Dragons is an award-winning song about firmness and determination to reach a goal despite obstacles. The song lyrics will encourage you to move through the pain and leave you pumping with adrenaline, which makes it a great addition to any workout playlist.
12. Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) — Kelly Clarkson
Genre: Pop
Album: Stronger
“Stronger” by Kelly Clarkson is a song about strength and an affirmation of resilience. The music was derived from German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche’s quotation, “What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger.” The song’s passionate lyrics are a great combination with Kelly Clarkson’s powerful voice, earning her a Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album.
11. Fight Song — Rachel Platten
Genre: Pop
Album: Fight Song (2015)
“Fight Song” by Rachel Platten is a song about standing for yourself and taking back control of your own life. The song lyrics empower its listeners to live their lives to the fullest, make every decision count, and keep their hearts open.
10. Hall of Fame — The Script
Genres: Pop rock, Hip hop, Pop
Album: #3 (2012)
“Hall of Fame” is a motivational song by The Script, featuring American rapper will.i.am. Some people, no matter how hard they work, still hear a little voice inside their heads that tells them their efforts are for nothing. However, the song is an affirmation that you can do anything if you put your mind to it.
9. Rise Up — Andra Day
Genre: UK R&B
Album: Cheers to the Fall (2015)
“Rise Up” by Andra Day is an inspirational song about experiencing brokenness and rising up against it. The powerful lyrics proclaim that we can overcome any difficulties we face. Andra Day sang beautifully, invoking various mixed emotions from her listeners, earning a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance.
8. Let It Be — The Beatles
Genres: Rock, Pop music, Soft rock, Pop
Album: Let It Be (1970)
“Let It Be” by The Beatles is a song dedicated to hardworking people. We might be in different situations, but we all face the same things—disappointments, uncertainties, and even failures. The song inspires us to just, “let it be.” These three words can give us hope that our questions will be answered someday.
7. The Climb — Miley Cyrus
Genre: Country pop
Album: Hannah Montana: The Movie (2009)
“The Climb” by Miley Cyrus is the theme song for Hannah Montana: The Movie. The song was about enjoying the journey and making every victory count. When you are working hard, it’s sometimes easy to forget to make every moment count. In our pursuit of victories, we may forget what it’s like to take it slow and enjoy the view.
6. Rise — Katy Perry
Genres: Alternative/Indie, R&B/Soul, Dance/Electronic, Pop, Hip-Hop/Rap
Album: Power Hits 2016
“Rise” by Katy Perry is a song about staying focused on who you are even though you are facing many adversities. Knowing our identities and standing on who we truly are will help us determine our life choices. Katy must have believed that too because the song’s lyrics build up its listener’s confidence by stating facts about themselves.
5. When You Believe — Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey
Genres: R&B/Soul, Pop
Album: Number 1’s (1998)
“When You Believe” is a song by Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston. The song was used as a theme song for the movie “Moses,” which depicts the release of Israelites from Egypt’s slavery. The heartwarming lyrics of the song still touch people up to this day, because everyone can somehow feel trapped. The song is about believing hard work and perseverance can bring us freedom.
4. Roar — Katy Perry
Genre: Pop
Album: Prism (2013)
“Roar” by Katy Perry is a pop song that is about being tough and strong like a tiger. The lyrics, “I’ve got the eye of the tiger,” refers to what a tiger’s prey last sees before being killed. This implies that you are the predator in the situation. Well, not literally, but you have a greater advantage in any type of situation.
3. Move Along — The All-American Rejects
Genres: Alternative/Indie, Pop, Rock
Album: Move Along (2005)
“Move Along” by The All-American Rejects is a rock song that talks about toughness and adaptability. The song’s lyrics tell us there are times we might feel like we can’t go on for another day. However, our hearts are deceiving, and all we have to do is move along to our next conquest.
2. Carry On — fun.
Genres: Alternative/Indie, Dance/Electronic, Pop
Album: Some Nights (2012)
“Carry On” by fun. is an inspirational song that encourages us to keep moving on with our lives no matter what type of challenge we are facing. The song’s lyrics state various circumstances that might get us down to our knees. However, the song tells us to carry on.
1. Fighter — Christina Aguilera
Genres: R&B/Soul, Pop
Album: Stripped (2002)
“Fighter” by Christina Aguilera is a song that talks about coming out stronger from a toxic relationship. According to the song’s lyrics, instead of opting for revenge, Christina is thanking her former relationship because she is now wiser, stronger, and works harder.