Some songs have the power to motivate. The lyrics can be as powerful as any motivational speech. The music can get our hearts pumping. The words and tune can play in our heads all day long.
Below is a list of some of the best motivational songs (mostly English, some French and Spanish). It is far, far from being a complete list, so feel free to add your favorites to the list using the comments form at the bottom.
Man in Motion (from St. Elmo’s Fire)
Makin’ It (from the short-lived TV show of the same name)
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
The Greatest Love of All (the ultimate self-esteem song of all time)
Have a Happy (yes, Elvis)
Change of Habit (yes, also Elvis)
I Have Been Blessed (by Martina McBride)
Point of Light (the Randy Travers classic)
My Way (the ultimate classic motivational song by Paul Anka)
Et C’est Pas Fini (the theme song from Star Académie, 1996)
Peace of Mind (by Boston)
Standing Outside the Fire (by Garth Brooks)
Closer to the Heart (Canadian motivation )
Do You Know Where You’re Going to? (from the Mahogany)
There You Are (by Clink Black)
Une Promesse (by Cindy Daniel)
Lean on Me
Dream Never Dies (more Canadian Motivation)
Hold On (by Triumph…the song that helped me in my teen years)
Believe it or Not (from the Greatest American Hero TV show)
Una Cancion (RBD)
Living Out Loud (by Aaron Lines)
The Eye of the Tiger (from Rocky III, I believe)
All Fired Up (Pat Benetar)
Don’t Stop (another one that helped me during those roller coaster teenage years)
The Kid is Hot Tonight (by Loverboy)
If I rummaged through my MP3s, my CDs and my old record collection, I am sure I could find dozens of other motivational songs and possibly even some music that motivates without lyrics. The one listed here are the ones that come to mind first for me. But now, over to you. What songs do you find most motivational?
…added January 20, 2009:
What a Feeling (from the movie Flashdance)
I’m Alive (by ELO)
Hold on Tight (also by ELO)
Walk On (by Rea)
Swing on a Star (was that Bing Crosby)
On Top of the World (by the Carpenters)
I Will Survive (Gloria Gayner’s anthem)
Light in Your Eyes (by Leann Rimes)
We Are the Champions (by Queen)
Winning (by Santana)
Don’t Forget to Dance (by the Kinks)
We Shall Be Free (by Garth Brooks)
Free Will (by Rush)
The Rose (by Bette Midler)
