Songs about Success and Achievement
28. Win
One of my personal favorites, “Win” is about overcoming all obstacles and never giving up in life. As long as we keep pushing, keep persisting, we’ll definitely achieve what we set out to do. Winning is what we’re destined to achieve. Very inspiring, made possible by Brian Mcknight’s amazing vocals. :)
[ by Brian McKnight | Lyrics | Get the song ]
29. You Gotta Want It
Recommended by reader TraveloCafe, “You Gotta Want It” is a powerful song that will charge you up within the first minute. To get what you want, you have to want it from the bottom of your heart and give it everything you’ve got. As long as you have that passion and drive, nothing will be insurmountable. Read: Is It Realistic to Believe ‘Chase Your Passion and Money Will Follow’? (The Passion-Market-Skills Framework)
[ by Roberta Gold | Lyrics ]
30. Never Surrender
I first heard this song many years ago when I was watching Meteor Garden, a Taiwanese teen drama. I love the key message of this song, which is to never give up no matter how tough the situation is. Because no matter what happens, no one can ever take away your right to fight. As long as you persevere, nothing is impossible to achieve.
[ by Corey Hart | Lyrics | Get the album ]
31. I Believe I Can Fly
Sung by R. Kelly, “I Believe I Can Fly” is the theme song of the movie Space Jam, another movie that I listed in my inspiring movies post. This song reminds us that there are no goals and dreams that we can’t achieve. If you can imagine it, you can do it. It all starts with first believing in your ability. Read: 10,000 Hours To Develop Talent
[ by R. Kelly | Lyrics | Get the song ]
Update in 2019: R. Kelly has received a multitude of allegations of sexual misconduct and running a sex cult. In January 2019, Lifetime aired a six-part documentary series Surviving R. Kelly detailing allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct by him. The listing of his song here is only based on the song’s message and is no way an endorsement of him as a person.
32. Reach
“Reach” was the official theme song for the 1996 Olympics. The song is about doing our very best for the dreams and hearing Gloria Estefan bring the song to life gives me goosebumps. Don’t be afraid to reach out and give your everything. Don’t be afraid to aim high and soar, ignoring all the naysayers around you. It’s when you put your heart and soul into what you do that that you live your life to the fullest. :) Read: 101 Ways To Live Your Life To The Fullest and 8 Tips To Tackle Naysayers
[ by Gloria Estefan | Lyrics | Get the album ]
33. One Moment In Time
This song is a worldwide hit, winning an Emmy Award and used as the theme song for the 1988 Summer Olympics and the 1988 Summer Paralympics. The song speaks of all the toil we go through in achieving our dreams, for this one chance to unleash all our talent, hard work, and passion to that world. This isn’t about “victory” which is a very binary definition, but seizing that one moment in time to do our very best, which will then make us “a winner for a lifetime.”
[ by Whitney Houston | Lyrics | Get the album ]
34. Gonna Fly Now
This is the theme song of the movie Rocky, which is also listed in my inspiring movies post:
Released in February 1977 with the movie Rocky, the song became part of American popular culture after main character Rocky Balboa as part of his daily training regimen runs up the 72 stone steps leading to the entrance of the Philadelphia Museum of Art in Philadelphia and raises his arms in a victory pose, while the song plays. The song is also often played at sporting events, especially at sporting events in the city of Philadelphia or featuring sports teams from there.[6]
“Gonna Fly Now,” with lyrics that are only 30 words long, was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song in the 49th Academy Awards. This is a very powerful song great for gym training and workouts. Listen and see if it doesn’t get you all pumped up! :D
[ by Bill Conti | Lyrics | Get the Rocky Score ]
35. Eye of The Tiger
This is a track for the movie Rocky III and is hands down one of the most energizing songs of all time. Readers Dipal E and Lica Sever give their top recommendation too. Here’s why the song is titled “Eye of The Tiger”:
“At first, we wondered if calling it ‘Eye Of The Tiger’ was too obvious. The initial draft of the song, we started with ‘It’s the eye of the tiger, it’s the thrill of the fight, rising up to the spirit of our rival, and the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night, and it all comes down to survival.’ We were going to call the song ‘Survival.’ In the rhyme scheme, you can tell we had set up ‘rival’ to rhyme with ‘survival.’
“At the end of the day, we said, ‘Are we nuts?’ That hook is so strong, and ‘rival’ doesn’t have to be a perfect rhyme with the word ‘tiger.’ We made the right choice and went with ‘Eye Of The Tiger.’ “
~ Jim Peterik, co-writer of “Eye of The Tiger”[7]
The best way to listen to this song is to listen with your volume at full blast. “Like Gonna Fly Now” (#34), this song is perfect for gym training and workouts!
[ By Survivor | Lyrics | Get the album ]
36. We Are The Champions
Performed by British rock band Queen, “We Are The Champions” is a world famous song and has become an anthem at sporting events. It’s about how we are all champions and to keep on fighting despite obstacles and bad mistakes. “We Will Rock You” is another famous song by Queen, though not featured in this list.
[ by Queen | Lyrics | Get the album ]
37. Chariots of Fire
“Chariots of Fire” is an instrumental theme often used as the theme song in sporting events. It was recorded in 1981 for the film Chariots of Fire. Listen and see if you recognize it! :D The build up from the beginning to the chorus is highly invigorating and gives me goosebumps.
[ by Vangelis | Get the album ]
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