We’re living in uncertain times, and this uncertainty can bring about feelings of fear and anxiety for many people.
Being afraid is a natural human reaction. However, constantly feeling afraid or anxious can greatly affect our well-being.
Research has shown that listening to music can effectively reduce anxiety levels in people going through stressful situations. If you’re feeling anxious or in a situation that triggers a fear response, you can overcome it by singing your favorite song.
As our gift to you, we’re sharing a collection of the best songs about fear and overcoming it. May these songs give you hope and inspiration when things are bleak and scary. We hope that they empower you to break through the wall of fear blocking your path to happiness.
1. Hero, Mariah Carey
via Mariah Carey
“So when you feel that hope is gone, look inside you and be strong. And you'll finally see the truth, that a hero lies in you.”
When in difficult situations, some of us wait for other people we believe are capable of saving us or giving us guidance. But this song tells us to believe in ourselves. It empowers us to overcome our fear and anxiety in our own way.
It helps us realize that we have the capacity to be the heroes in our own stories.
2. Inner Demons, Julia Brennan
via JuliaBrennanVEVO
“So angels please hear my prayer; life is pain, life's not fair. So angels please, please stay here. Take the pain, take the fear.”
Facing our inner demons is never easy. However, it is a necessary step if we are to permanently overcome our fears.
In 2019, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America asked their subscribers for the songs they considered inspiring, and/or that helped keep their anxiety at bay. Inner Demons was one of the songs submitted.
This is an uplifting song for those who are struggling, but who are determined to overcome the fears that prevent them from moving forward.
3. It's Gonna Be Alright, The Ramones
via BottleOfSmoke
“It's gonna be OK, it's gonna be alright. It's gonna be that you're the only ones who understand.”
When we’re afraid, hope often flies out the window. We begin to think of the worst-case scenario. Paralysis sets in, keeping us rooted in fearful and anxious thoughts.
This song is a powerful antidote to the seemingly hypnotic hold that fear can have on us. It assures us that everything will be alright.
4. Fear Is a Liar, Zach Williams
via Zach Williams
“Cast your fear in the fire; ‘Cause fear, he is a liar.”
Although fear is a built-in mechanism to protect us from danger, it can sometimes go haywire. Stress can weaken our perception of what dangers are out there.
This song is for those who have lived in the shadow of fear and anxiety. It offers hope and calls out fear for what it truly is: a liar.
5. Fearless, Jasmine Murray
“I wanna be fearless. No holding back, no backing down.”
Fear is sometimes caused by feeling you’re not good enough. It can be a major reason why you avoid risks.
However, when you constantly shy away from your true potential, you are blocking not only wonderful opportunities, but also your own happiness. As this song tells you, you should be fearless. Don’t hold back. Don’t back down.
6. Overcomer, Mandisa
via MandisaOfficial
“You're an overcomer. Stay in the fight until the final round.”
If you’ve experienced many setbacks in your life, it can be difficult to feel hopeful. You might be afraid that tomorrow will bring another setback or another rejection.
This song assures us that there’s someone out there rooting for us. There is someone cheering us on, believing in our abilities.
Your struggles are real, but they are temporary. Hang in there—things are already looking up.
7. I'm Not Afraid, Eminem
via EminemMusic
“I'm not afraid to take a stand. Everybody, come take my hand, we'll walk this road together through the storm.”
Speaking of setbacks, here’s a music artist that has been through a lot. This song emerged after Eminem overcame his drug addiction and started his journey to healing.
The song encourages listeners to take the singer’s hand and make it through.
8. I Won't Back Down, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
via Tom Petty
“In a world that keeps on pushin' me around, I'll stand my ground and I won't back down.”
This song was released in 1989, and has since become an anthem of resilience.
Its simple melody belies the powerful message that helps listeners find the courage and willpower to overcome whatever challenges they face in their lives.
9. Tubthumping, Chumbawamba
via Fernando Nieto
“I get knocked down, but I get up again. You are never gonna keep me down.”
Like I Won’t Back Down, Chumbawamba’s 1997 hit is also a song about resilience. It tells the story of someone who keeps getting back up no matter how many times he’s fallen.
In life, many of us will experienced failures. Some of us might be afraid to try after seeing our initial efforts fail. But this song tells us to keep getting up.
10. Invincible, Kelly Clarkson
via Kelly Clarkson
“Beat down on me, beat down like a waterfall. ‘Cause I can take on so much more than I had ever dreamed.”
It is only when we face our fears that we realize we’re stronger than we give ourselves credit for.
This song is a powerful reminder of this truth. It tells us that we are capable of taking on more than we’ve ever thought we could.
If you’re feeling downhearted and afraid of what lies ahead, add this song to your playlist. It will remind you that you’re truly invincible.
11. Fly, Maddie & Tae
via Maddie & Tae
“So keep on climbing though the ground may shake; just keep on reaching though the limb might break. We've come this far, don't you be scared now. ‘Cause you can learn to fly on the way down.”
People tend to play it safe because they’re afraid of failure. However, playing it safe all the time isn’t the way to find true success.
This song calls you to step boldly into your highest potential. The failures you’ll experience will be the stepping stones toward the successes you are destined for.
12. Try, Colbie Caillat
via colbiecaillat
“You don't have to try so hard, you don't have to give it all away. You just have to get up, get up, get up, get up. You don't have to change a single thing.”
Putting your real self out there can be scary. Others tend to judge your looks, opinions, social background, and actions without knowing your whole story.
This song empowers people to be themselves, ignoring others’ opinions of how they should be. If they decide to improve their physical appearances through makeup or by working out, it should be because they want to, and not because they are afraid of not meeting society’s impossible standards of perfection.
13. Three Little Birds, Bob Marley and The Wailers
via Bob Marley
“Don't worry 'bout a thing, 'cause every little thing gonna be alright.”
If you’re having an anxiety-filled day, listening to this song from Bob Marley might help dispel your feelings of gloom.
This song has been covered by various artists, including Jason Mraz, Maroon 5, and Robbie Williams. It is the go-to song for those looking to overcome their fear or infuse a bit of cheerfulness into a dreary day.
14. Stayin' Alive, Bee Gees
via beegees
“Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin' alive, stayin' alive.”
Surviving difficult times is a victory in and of itself. This song is a celebration of people’s ability to come on top, despite the challenges threatening their very survival.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, belting out the chorus of this song is a major stress reliever.
15. Pocketful of Sunshine, Natasha Bedingfield
“Do what you want but you're never gonna break me. Sticks and stones are never gonna shake me, oh, oh-oh.”
Sometimes, when we’re afraid, we dream of escaping to somewhere safe. This song is about finding that tranquil refuge amidst the fear and anxiety we might be feeling.
16. Roll With It, Oasis
via Oasis
“You gotta roll with it, you gotta take your time. You gotta say what you say, don't let anybody get in your way.”
Have you ever heard the quote attributed to Carl Jung: “Resist and it persists?” It applies to just about everything, even the things we fear. Our fear becomes larger the more we refuse to face it.
One way of facing our fears is to accept it for what it is. Just as Oasis tells us in this song, we have to roll with it. In doing so, we loosen our resistance and gain more courage to overcome the feelings of fear and anxiety.
17. Hit Me With Your Best Shot, Pat Benatar
via Benatar Giraldo
“Hit me with your best shot. Fire away!”
This song has attitude. If you’re feeling extra scared, singing the chorus can help drive the fear away.
It’s like a challenge, so stand tall—you’ve got this.
Let them see what you’re truly made of.
Let them hit you with their best shot.
They’ll find that you are still standing when the dust clears.
18. Part of Me, Katy Perry
via Katy Perry
“Throw your sticks and stones. Throw your bombs and your blows, but you're not gonna break my soul.”
All of us have had heartbreaking experiences—the ones that we felt we could never recover from. However, Katy Perry tells us in this song that no matter what fears or heartaches we experience, we’ll emerge stronger.
A part of us will remain unbroken.
19. Prizefighter, Trisha Yearwood Ft. Kelly Clarkson
via Trisha Yearwood
“When you hit the ground, you find your wings; you go one more round when that bell rings. They say you're done, but here you come; you're a hammer hittin', spittin' fire, prizefighter.”
When we’re unbroken, we keep on fighting.
No matter what painful experiences life surprises us with, we keep standing up for more.
This song empowers you to stand up, unafraid, ready to face the challenges that are still coming.
20. Die Another Day, Madonna
via Madonna
“I guess I'll die another day. It's not my time to go.”
Madonna’s hit single from 2002 is about battling with one’s own ego.
In psychology, our egos are always on the lookout for danger. This song is a very fitting reminder that if we let our egos control us, we will always feel fear.
21. Battle Cry, Imagine Dragons
“Nobody can save me now. It's do or die.”
With everything that happened around the world in 2020, it’s no wonder this song was the unofficial anthem of the year.
We have to go to war against our fears and anxieties. We may be unsure of how we will succeed, but we know that we must, so we shout our battle cry.
Final Thoughts
Biologically speaking, our fear response keeps us safe from real dangers in our environments.
However, stress can subvert our fight-or-flight response. It can leave us in constant fear and anxiety.
Listening to songs about overcoming fear and anxiety can help reduce these feelings of helplessness.
We hope that you’ve found a personal anthem to help you overcome fear from the collection we shared today.
For further resources about fear and anxiety, check out the following posts:
If you are finding it difficult to cope with your feelings of fear and anxiety, we suggest visiting a medical professional to get the appropriate support.
Finally, if you want to use these songs to make a lasting change to your life, then check out these 100 LIFE GOALS that can help you wake up each morning with a sense of enthusiasm about making progress toward what's important..
