Music is a great way to give yourself some motivation, but it can often seem as though every single song out there is somehow related to romance and love.
For those who want to feel empowered and confident in themselves, rather than someone else, here are 50 inspirational songs that have nothing to do with romantic love.
Great Divide – Humming House
Great Divide is a song inspired by mountain climbing, and the sheer joy and adrenaline that it can bring. Focussing on taking risks, and the way in which this leads to self-discovery and change from within, this is a great song to listen to if you are thinking about conquering one of your fears.
Proud – Heather Small
Proud was released in 2000, and quickly became a worldwide hit. This is a great track to listen to if you are in need of a little pick-me-up, as it will inspire you to embrace who you are so that you can really learn to love, and be proud, of yourself.
Return to Innocence – Enigma
Return to Innocence is quite a hypnotic song, encouraging people to be who they really are. This includes showing your true emotions, because this is actually an act of strength rather than weakness.
Firework – Katy Perry
If you have been feeling down about yourself, for whatever reason, Firework will no doubt help to uplift your mood to some degree. It starts off slowly, but then its catchy beat soon builds up and pulls you in, while its lyrics tell you to ignore any doubts and really live your life to your full potential.
Walk Unafraid – First Aid Kit
This is an incredibly powerful song, both in terms of lyrics as well as vocals. It is one that encourages you to carve out your own path, taking any fears in your stride, so that you can be the person that you were meant to be.
The Middle – Jimmy Eat World
Have other peoples’ opinions and criticisms been getting you down?
If so, The Middle is the song to listen to, as these lyrics, as well as the catchy beat, will soon stop you worrying about what everybody else thinks, while reminding you how important it is to just be yourself.
Imagine – John Lennon
Imagine is a song that is just as meaningful now as it was when it was released in 1971. This song carries a powerful political message, asking listeners to imagine a world where people are not divided by things such as religion or race. For those who are striving to make a positive difference in the world, this song will definitely inspire you.
Perfect – P!nk
P!nk is an artist who loves to empower women all over the world, and her song Perfect really does have this effect. This song will have you acknowledging and accepting any bad decisions or mistakes that you have made, and understanding that these do not make you any less perfect, as they are what make you who you are.
Don’t Worry, Be Happy – Bobby McFerrin
You likely already know this classic, so feel free to sing it out loud! This song will remind you that there will always be something to worry about, so you need to make sure that you take some time out to just be happy.
Good Life – One Republic
An uplifting and upbeat song, Good Life is one that focuses on travelling, and the many joys, as well as new experiences, that this can bring. If you need to feel inspired when it comes to getting out there and seeing all that the world has to offer, this is the song that will soon have you ready to start exploring.
Fix You – Coldplay
This song can be interpreted in so many different ways, but try to imagine singing the lyrics to yourself. No matter what may be causing any pain you are feeling, you will soon overcome this, and will be able to fix yourself.
Heal the World – Michael Jackson
Heal the World was released in 1991, from the album Dangerous. This is an incredibly moving song that touches upon the many challenges that people all around the world face, from war and famine to natural disasters and poverty. Rather than turning your back on this, this song encourages you to take action and “heal the world”.
The Climb – Miley Cyrus
Life is a climb, but the view from the top is something you definitely do not want to miss.
This is just one of the inspiring lessons that you will learn from this song, and it really will help to give you a fresh perspective on your life.
Respect – Aretha Franklin
Respect is a song that you have probably heard before, as this is a classic, especially when it comes to gender equality and feminism. This is a bold and empowering song, with Aretha belting out how important it is to demand respect from those around you, and to ensure that you are treated as equals to men.
Brave – Sara Bareilles
If you have been lacking in confidence lately, Brave is a song that can help you to turn this around. Its lyrics are truly motivational, with lines such as “you can be amazing”, “don’t run, stop holding your tongue”, and “show me how big your brave is”.
Hall of Fame – The Script
Do you need some motivation when it comes to working hard to achieve your goals?
If so, this song will help to keep you on the right track, encouraging you to find the greatness within yourself.
Survivor – Destiny’s Child
This song was written by Beyonce, who made use of all of the negativity surrounding the group at the time to create such an empowering song. This one is all about not giving up, and working harder to really make it and be a survivor.
Let It Be – The Beatles
This is quite a gentle song, perfect for when you really feel as though you are in a dark place. Rather than hitting you with hard beats and heavy lyrics, this song teaches you that there are some things you simply cannot change, but there is still always a light at the end of the tunnel.
The World’s Greatest – R. Kelly
Need a bit of a confidence booster?
This song will definitely help to build you up, giving you the hope that you need to get through any challenges you are facing.
Unwritten – Natasha Bedingfield
Unwritten is a song all about writing the story of your life in the way that you, and only you, want to. It teaches you to embrace all that life has to offer, and to really live life to the fullest.
The Story of Your Life – Matthew West
The Story of Your Life has a similar message to Unwritten, the song mentioned above, as it focuses on how you are the one who decides how your life will unfold. There are quite a few inspirational lyrics throughout this song, especially the part that tells you that the story of your life is “a story worth telling”.
The World is Yours – Nas
The title of this song comes from the movie Scarface, as this is the phrase that Tony Montana chose as his mantra. While its beat may be quite relaxed, this song is all about winning in all that you do in life.
Live Forever – Oasis
This song will make you reminisce about your youth, when you felt as though you would live forever.
Now that you know this is not the case, this song will remind you to get motivated and be all of the things you wanted to be.
Up – Shania Twain
Up is such a catchy song that will no doubt get you moving once you get into the beat. This is a song that recognizes all of the frustrating things that happen in life, but reminds you that even when life seems bad, it can only go up from here.
You Only Live Once – The Strokes
Now that YOLO is actually a phrase that people say, this song is all the more applicable.
As you have probably imagined from its title, this is a song full of good vibes that will motivate you to make the most of your life.
Stand – Rascal Flatts
When it feels as though you have really hit rock bottom in life…
This song will help to give you the strength to shake it all off and stand back up.
Beautiful – Christina Aguilera
In 2004, Beautiful not only won a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, but was also nominated for Song of the Year.
You are likely already familiar with these empowering lyrics, as this is a song that has been embraced all over the wrold as an anthem for inner beauty.
Walk On – U2
There will be times in your life where you will feel so much pain that it may seem impossible to move forward.
However, this song will soon make you believe that these feelings are only temporary, and there are definitely brighter days ahead.
Video – India Arie
If you ever feel as though your physical appearance is getting you down…
Video is a song that will really help you to see past this, and will teach you how to show yourself unconditional love.
Dream On – Aerosmith
Are you having trouble holding on to your dreams?
This song will have you believing in them all over again, and will give you the motivation to make those dreams come true.
Shake It Off – Taylor Swift
Although this may be quite a simple song, it is definitely catchy, and its lyrics are so appropriate for modern culture today. This is a song that speaks about all of the haters in the digital world, and how easy it is for negative voices to infiltrate your mind. Rather than letting these get you down, listen to Taylor and learn how to “shake off” all of that hate.
School’s Out – Alice Cooper
While you may not have just finished school, School’s Out will no doubt bring back that feeling of freedom you used to experience at the end of the school year, or even at the end of each school day! This is a classic track that will remind you of school-time memories, and hopefully re-ignite your passion and motivation for some of the dreams and goals that you had back then.
Reach – Gloria Estefan
If you watched the 1996 Olympics, then Reach is a song that you will know very well, as this was the official theme song for the games that year.
As you can imagine, this is a song that encourages people to reach as high as possible and really try their best in everything that they do, ignoring anyone that may have any doubts in you.
I Believe I Can Fly – R. Kelly
This song was made famous by the movie Space Jam, and is one that will remind you about how important it is to believe in yourself and your abilities. Rather than having doubts in any hopes and dreams, this song will tell you that if you can imagine it, you can definitely do it.
It’s Not Over Yet – For King and Country
It’s Not Over Yet is a song that just about everybody will be able to relate to, especially if they are facing any obstacles in life. The lyrics are inspiring, encouraging you to allow your hope to rise and not give up.
When You Believe – Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston
This is a song that will no doubt have you singing along soon enough, filling you with hope and motivation. The lyrics are all about how miracles can come true – as long as you truly believe in them, you will be able to achieve them.
What a Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
Although much slower-paced than many of the other songs on this list, What a Wonderful World is one that will make you stop and have a think about everything in your life that you are grateful for. It will also teach you to appreciate the simple things in the world around you, from red roses to blue skies.
That’s What Friends Are For – Rod Stewart
Although originally by Rod Stewart, That’s What Friends Are For has been remade multiple times since then, as this is a song that seems to transcend generations. While this may technically be a song about love, it is friendship, rather than romantic love, that the lyrics are focussed on, celebrating the beauty of friendship through both good times and bad.
You Get What You Give – New Radicals
This song became an international hit soon after it was released, and has been played over a million times on US radio.
If you feel as though you are ready to give up on your dreams…
Then this is the song for you, as it really emphasizes how important it is to hold onto your dreams so tightly and not give up. Encouraging you to “follow your heart”, this song will make you realize that what you get out of life is directly related to what you put in to it.
Born This Way – Lady Gaga
Whether you love her or hate her, Lady Gaga was on the right track with her song Born This Way. Fierce and powerful, this song is all about celebrating who you really are, and learning how to really stay true to yourself.
Remember the Name – Fort Minor
Success does not happen overnight…
Instead, it takes so much work and dedication, as well as the need to really believe in yourself.
This is what Remember the Name focuses on, encouraging you to overcome any obstacles so that you can reach your goals.
I Am What I Am – Gloria Gaynor
I Am What I Am was released in 1983, and quickly became a huge club hit all across America. Gloria Gaynor has a distinct and powerful voice, and in this song, she uses it to tell others how important it is to be true to yourself. You only have one life, so rather than spending it trying to please others, learn a lesson from Gloria Gaynor and be the person you really are.
Titanium – David Guetta
Everybody falls down in life, but it is how you pick yourself up that really matters. Titanium is a song that focuses on this, giving you the strength to rise back up and continue on with your life.
Not Afraid – Eminem
Sometimes, having a friendly shoulder to lean on can really help a person to get through a period of adversity. Whether you are struggling in life, or know somebody who is, this song inspires you to seek help from others, or to be there when help is being sought.
Fight Song – Rachel Platten
Fight Song is another powerful track, and will help you to get back up if something has knocked you down. Platten sings about how important it is to take back your life and be in control, even if nobody else seems to believe in you.
Win – Brian Mcknight
Win is another song that will motivate you to not give up. Even if you fail at something, it is so important to get back up and try again, without losing hope and faith. The lyrics will teach you to depend on yourself, so that you can really take yourself to victory.
You Gotta Be – Des’ree
You Gotta Be is a song that will inspire you to be wiser, bolder, stronger, and so much more. This is a great track to listen to in the mornings, as it will really set you up for a productive day.
It’s My Life – Bon Jovi
This song was released in 2000, and immediately became a huge success thanks to its inspiring lyrics. Just like many of the other songs on this list, this is another one all about taking control of your life. Rather than continually putting things off, this song encourages you to seize the day, since nobody lives forever.
Rise Up – Andra Day
This song begins by speaking out to those who are “broken down and tired of living life on a merry-go-round”.
Feel like you can relate to this?
Then Rise Up will no doubt touch a part of your soul, encouraging you to rise up and face the world, rather than hiding away.
Feelin’ So Good – Jennifer Lopez
Feelin’ So Good is a song that will have you thinking about all that you have accomplished in life, and then wanting to celebrate those accomplishments. It reminds you that you are truly priceless, and you should not let anybody disrespect that.
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