Numerous musicians have used their voices and lyrics to share messages of struggle, suffering, and resiliency throughout the course of music history. These songs about struggles have given comfort and hope to people who are hurting, as well as aided in drawing attention to significant issues that might not have received it otherwise.
The greatest songs about struggles are those that convey a message of hope and tenacity while also capturing the unbridled emotion and gullibility of the human experience. These songs can be in many different styles, from ballads to rock anthems, and they can discuss a wide range of issues, such as societal injustice, poverty, addiction, and heartbreak.
These tracks’ capacity to engage listeners deeply and personally is one of their defining qualities. They frequently share tales of adversity that many people can relate to, which gives those who might feel alone in their difficulties a sense of comfort and understanding.
The greatest songs about struggles should also be able to motivate people to take action and make changes. These songs have the ability to truly impact people’s lives, whether they are bringing attention to social problems or enticing listeners to ask for assistance and support.
We’ll look at some of the best songs about adversity and the narratives that go with them in this piece. We’ll talk about how these songs have affected their listeners and the wider cultural dialogue about themes of adversity and struggles. We hope to provide insight and motivation to those who may be going through their own struggles by exploring these potent musical works. We also hope to raise awareness of the transformative power of music.
20 Best Songs About Struggles – Here are our recommendations!
20: Let It Be – The Beatles
The Beatles, a famed English rock band, released “Let It Be” in 1970. Paul McCartney was moved to write the song after having a dream in which his mother, who had died when he was younger, visited him and comforted him. One of the band’s most enduring and cherished singles, the song’s message of resiliency and the importance of letting go has connected with generations of fans. It has become a great classic due to its basic yet effective tune and lyrics.
19: The Climb – Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus, an American singer-songwriter, released “The Climb” in 2009. The song was initially created by Jessi Alexander and Jon Mabe as a song for the movie “Hannah Montana: The Movie”. Young people in particular have found its message of tenacity and the value of meeting obstacles head-on to be particularly relevant. The song’s uplifting chorus and motivational lyrics have transformed it into a true song of perseverance, inspiring listeners to keep moving forward in the face of challenges.
18: I Will Survive – Gloria Gaynor
American singer Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” became a disco hit when it was released in 1978. The song has become an anthem for women and the LGBTQ+ community because of its potent message of resiliency and self-empowerment. The song has established itself as an everlasting classic that still motivates and inspires listeners today because of its upbeat pace, strong vocals, and motivating lyrics. For many generations, it has served as a cultural touchstone because of its message of resilience and courage in the face of hardship.
17: Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey
The 1981 song “Don’t Stop Believin'” by the American rock group Journey is an absolute banger. The song has endured for decades as a timeless classic because of its message of tenacity and hope. It has become a mainstay of sporting events, motion pictures, and television shows because of its recognisable chorus and strong guitar riffs. The song’s message of never giving up and holding onto your aspirations has made it a great anthem of resilience that still motivates listeners all around the world.
16: Eye Of The Tiger – Survivor
The 1982 song “Eye of the Tiger” was written by the American rock group Survivor. The song was created as the soundtrack for the movie “Rocky III”, and it has since become a well-known symbol of tenacity and willpower. The song is a mainstay of training playlists and sporting events thanks to its intense guitar riffs and pounding tempo. It is considered a great masterpiece of the genre because of its message of never giving up and constantly moving forward in the face of difficulty.
15: Shake It Off – Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift, an American singer-songwriter, released the song “Shake It Off” in 2014. The song has become a mainstay of dance floors and radio stations all over the world because of its energetic speed and catchy chorus. It has become a true anthem of perseverance because of its message of embracing optimism and ignoring negativity, which has found resonance with audiences of all ages. The song has become a fan favourite and a modern classic thanks to its strong vocals and pounding beat.
14: Survivor – Destiny’s Child
Destiny’s Child, an American female group, released the song “Survivor” in 2001. The song has become an anthem for women and survivors of all kinds because of its message of empowerment and resilience. It has garnered both critical acclaim and commercial success thanks to its catchy beat and strong vocals, which have made it a fan favourite.
The song has become a true classic of the genre and proof of the enduring ability of music to inspire and uplift thanks to its message of resilience in the face of tragedy, which has connected with audiences all around the world.
13: I’m Still Standing – Elton John
1983 saw the release of “I’m Still Standing” by British singer-songwriter Elton John. The song is a great classic of the genre since its message of resiliency and strength has connected with listeners for decades. It has become a mainstay of radio playlists and dance floors all over the world because of its energetic tempo and catchy chorus.
The song has become an anthem of perseverance that continues to motivate listeners today because of its message of conquering challenges and being strong in the face of adversity.
12: I’m A Believer – The Monkees
The Monkees, a popular American rock band, released “I’m a Believer” in 1966. The song has become a great classic of the genre thanks to its catchy melody and energetic speed. It has been a perennial favourite for years because of its message of finding love and self-confidence. The song has become a global dance floor and radio standard thanks to its upbeat beat and catchy chorus, solidifying its status as a true classic that still motivates and uplifts fans today.
11: Fight Song – Rachel Platten
In 2015, American singer-songwriter Rachel Platten released the song “Fight Song”. The song has become an anthem of resilience for listeners all around the world thanks to its message of tenacity. It has become a fan favourite, receiving praise from critics and enjoying commercial success thanks to its catchy chorus and upbeat pace.
Due to its stirring lyrics and soaring vocals, the song has become a true classic of the genre and a tribute to the ability of music to uplift and inspire listeners, motivating them to persevere in the face of obstacles.
10: Go The Distance – Roger Bart
The 1997 Disney animated picture “Hercules” featured the song “Go the Distance”, which was sung by American singer-actor Roger Bart. The song has become a great classic of the genre thanks to the popularity of the movie, which has connected with listeners of all ages.
It has become an anthem of resiliency that still motivates and uplifts listeners because of its powerful voice and uplifting words. A wonderful example of the enduring power of music, the song’s message of following your goals and never giving up has made it a cultural landmark for centuries.
9: O-o-h Child – The Five Stairsteps
The Five Stairsteps, an American soul group, released the song “O-o-h Child” in 1970. The song has been a perennial favourite among listeners all across the world thanks to its message of optimism and inspiration. It has received praise from critics and had commercial success because of its uplifting melody and lively lyrics, which have made it a great classic of the genre. The song’s theme of conquering hardship and remaining upbeat in the midst of difficulties has made it a resilient anthem that still inspires listeners today.
8: Rise – Katy Perry
Katy Perry, an American singer-songwriter, released the song “Rise” in 2016. The song has become a global anthem because of its message of tenacity and resilience. It has become a fan favourite thanks to its and has received both critical acclaim and commercial success. The song is a true tribute to the ability of music to inspire and uplift because of the message it conveys to listeners of all ages: the ability to overcome obstacles and remain strong in the face of difficulty.
7: Journey To The Past – Liz Callaway
The 1997 animated picture “Anastasia” featured the song “Journey to the Past”, which was performed by American actress and singer Liz Callaway. The song is a great classic of the genre since its message of self-discovery and tenacity has connected with listeners for centuries.
It has become a fan favourite, receiving praise from critics and enjoying commercial success thanks to its haunting melody and moving lyrics. The song’s theme of accepting the past and pursuing your aspirations has turned it into an anthem of perseverance that still motivates and inspires listeners today.
6: When You Believe – Whitney Houston Ft. Mariah Carey
The animated film The Prince of Egypt from 1998 features the song When You Believe during its worst moment. Rameses, Moses’ adoptive brother, keeps the Hebrew people in slavery despite Moses’ warnings and numerous lethal plagues. As a result, a tenth and final plague is brought upon the Egyptian populace. All of Egypt’s first-born children, including Rameses’ son and heir, perish in the plague.
Rameses ultimately consents to release the Hebrew people from slavery in the wake of this catastrophic disaster. Rameses and the Egyptian populace aren’t the only ones lamenting the death of these defenceless individuals, though.
5: The Show Must Go On – Queen
Shortly before the passing of lead singer Freddie Mercury, the British rock band Queen released “The Show Must Go On” as a single in 1991. Its theme of perseverance and resolve in the face of difficulty has made the song a timeless classic. It has become a fan favourite and received critical acclaim as well as commercial success thanks to its intense rock melody and strong vocals. The song’s message of pushing forward in the face of difficulties has made it an anthem of endurance that still motivates and inspires listeners today.
4: It’s My Life – Bon Jovi
American rock band Bon Jovi’s song “It’s My Life” was released in 2000. The song has become a fan favourite and an anthem for listeners all over the world thanks to its message of self-empowerment and uniqueness. It has achieved economic success, critical acclaim, and success on the charts because of its rousing rock tune and catchy chorus.
The song has become a rallying cry for people trying to establish their independence and follow their own paths in life due to its message of living life on one’s own terms and taking charge of one’s own fate.
3: Carry On – Fun.
American indie pop band Fun’s single “Carry On” was released in 2012. The song has become an anthem for audiences all across the world because of its message of tenacity and hope in the face of hardship. It has received critical acclaim and commercial success which have made it a fan favourite. For people facing obstacles and attempting to overcome them, the song’s message of persevering through challenging times and never giving up has served as an inspiration and solace.
2: Titanium – David Guetta Ft. Sia
The song “Titanium” by French DJ David Guetta and Australian singer Sia was released in 2011. The song has become a fan favourite and anthem for listeners all around the world thanks to its message of perseverance and strength in the face of difficulties.
Its catchy electronic tune and potent vocals have made it a commercial triumph, garnering favourable reviews and success on the charts. The song serves as a source of encouragement and inspiration for those who want to overcome challenges and accomplish their objectives because of its message of refusing to be broken and facing hardship head-on.
1: Bridge Over Troubled Water – Paul Simon And Art Garfunkel
American folk rock legends Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel are the performers of the timeless song “Bridge Over Troubled Water”. When it was first released in 1970, the song topped charts all over the world and received a lot of positive reviews. It is one of the most well-liked songs of all time because of its message of support and comfort in difficult times, which has touched audiences for decades. The song is a great masterwork of the genre thanks to its soaring vocals and intense orchestration.
20 Best Songs About Struggles – Closing remarks and thoughts
In conclusion, the songs that best capture the essence of the human experience and give comfort and promise to people going through difficult times are those that are about struggles. These songs have the ability to motivate people to take action and make changes, bringing to light significant problems and igniting discussions that might not otherwise occur.
Numerous musicians have spoken out against injustice and brought attention to the challenges of disadvantaged groups throughout history. Music has been crucial in influencing societal conversations and spurring change throughout history, from the Civil Rights Movement to the #MeToo movement.
The raw emotion and vulnerability these songs communicate are constants, regardless of the particular struggles they speak to. Artists build a feeling of solidarity with their listeners by sharing their own tales of adversity and tenacity, serving as a reminder that they are not alone in their struggles.
In the end, the greatest songs about struggles give listeners a feeling of hope and possibility despite what may at first seem to be insurmountable obstacles in their way. They serve as a reminder that, despite how challenging our situations may be, we have the ability to get through them and come out stronger.
Closing Remarks:
We can find consolation in the knowledge that music will always be available to provide solace, inspiration, and a feeling of connection as we continue to negotiate the intricacies of the world around us. The best songs about struggles serve as a constant reminder that we are not alone in our problems and that there is always hope for a better tomorrow, whether we are battling personal issues or fighting for justice on a broader scale.
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A music enthusiast who has taken his passion for music to the next level by starting his own blog. He spends most of his free time listening to new albums, attending concerts, and researching emerging artists.
What sets John apart from other music bloggers is his ability to connect with his readers on a personal level. His writing style is warm and engaging, making it easy for readers to relate to him as both a fellow music lover and someone who truly cares about the art form.
John’s love for music started at a young age when he discovered classic rock through his father’s vinyl collection. Since then, he has expanded his musical horizons to include everything from indie rock to hip hop and beyond.
As a blogger, John has found a way to share his love of music with others while also providing valuable insights into the industry.