Need the right songs to keep yourself from losing steam in your pursuit of success?
For some, success means being wealthy and enjoying the material benefits that status brings.
For others, it could mean professional success, such as having a celebrated career and earning the respect of peers and colleagues.
Or perhaps success for you is a spiritual experience—achieving inner peace and casting off the trappings of material possessions.
Whatever your definition of success, there will probably be days when you feel like giving up and settling for a mediocre life.
If your motivation is flagging and success seems such a long way off, you might want to check out this post that gives you useful tips on how to get out of a rut. You also might need to update your playlist to include the songs about success and achievement we’re featuring in this article.
Listen to these songs to give you that extra push to reach the finish line.
1. One Moment in Time, Whitney Houston
“Give me one moment in time, when I'm racing with destiny. Then in that one moment of time, I will feel, I will feel eternity.”
This song has is highly motivating and was used as the theme song for the Summer Olympics and Summer Paralympics of 1988.
In this song, Whitney Houston resolves to use the opportunity she’s been given to propel herself to the top and achieve her dreams.
2. Winning, Santana
“I'm winning. I'm winning. And I don't intend losing again.”
It’s exhilarating to overcome obstacles and achieve your dreams.
This song is about learning from previous mistakes in order to get better at something—and this improvement is what enables you to win.
3. Watch Me Rise, Mikky Ekko
“Oh higher, higher, higher we go tell me, tell me. We’re close enough to touch the sun, oh. Higher, higher, higher we go tell me, tell me. The journey’s only just begun, begun.”
Similar to Santana’s Winning, this song talks about the journey one takes on the way to success. It will often be filled with obstacles and lessons to that have to be.
As one becomes adept at identifying and correcting mistakes, they become more knowledgeable and experienced. Eventually, with a lot of hard work, they will reach their goal!
4. Winner, Pet Shop Boys
“It's been a long time coming. We've been in the running for so long. But now we're on our way, let the ride just take us. Side by side and make us, see the world through new eyes every day.”
We often achieve success with the help of our friends. This song is a reminder for us to enjoy that moment of success and to appreciate the process of getting there, as well as the people who helped us succeed.
5. Back in My Body, Maggie Rogers
“This time, I know I'm fighting. This time, I know I'm back in my body.”
Many of us carry emotional baggage that holds us back from success.
Learning to let go of resentment and practicing forgiveness are two essential practices that help us heal from trauma and propel us closer to our dreams.
This song is about experiencing that wholeness after letting go of the resentments rooted in our past.
6. Try Everything, Shakira
“I won't give up, no I won't give in till I reach the end and then I'll start again. No, I won't leave, I want to try everything, I want to try even though I could fail.”
If you’re looking for a song about success through the growth mindset, this song from Shakira is a great example.
This song tells us that we will likely make mistakes and fail, but that’s all part of growing and gaining success. (Check out 45 famous people who failed before they became successful.)
T song exhorts us to never give up and encourages us to see things through to the end. We should try everything, no matter what.
In doing so, success will be ours for the taking.
7. Reach, Gloria Estefan
“If I could reach higher, just for one moment touch the sky. From that one moment in my life I'm gonna be stronger. Know that I've tried my very best. I'd put my spirit to the test. If I could reach.”
Gloria Estefan is the very image of resilience.
She encountered a near-fatal vehicular accident that left her temporarily paralyzed, and her miraculous recovery became an inspiration for many.
Reach became the theme song for the 1996 Olympics. Its powerful message is about doing whatever it takes to reach your dreams.
8. Don't You Worry Child, Swedish House Mafia ft. John Martin
““Don’t you worry, don't you worry, child. See heaven's got a plan for you. Don't you worry, don't you worry now.” Yeah!”
Successful people will tell you that success does not happen overnight. It takes dedication, hard work, and sacrifice.
Furthermore, many successful people believe that there is a higher power (called God, fate, the Universe, the Heavens, intuition, luck, and any number of other names) that leads them to the right opportunities, helping them manifest their dreams.
This song encourages the listener to trust in this higher power and not worry about how their future unfolds.
9. On Top of the World, Imagine Dragons
“Cause I'm on top of the world, I'm on top of the world, waiting on this for a while now. Paying my dues to the dirt, I've been waiting to smile, been holding it in for a while. Take it with me if I can, been dreaming of this since a child. I'm on top of the world.”
When you’ve finally achieved what you’ve always dreamed of, you can look back and see how your journey has helped you make your way to the top.
Along the way, you will likely have learned the value of resilience and learning from your setbacks in order to become wiser. You may have also developed self-awareness, and with it the ability to love yourself.
This song is dedicated to those who finally made it and are now enjoying the sweet taste of success. Savor the moment, because you earned it.
(Discover over 150 ways to reward yourself for achieving your goals in this post.)
10. Unstoppable, Sia
“I'm unstoppable, I'm a Porsche with no brakes. I'm invincible, yeah, I win every single game. I'm so powerful, I don't need batteries to play. I'm so confident, yeah, I'm unstoppable today!”
First released in 2016, this song is filled with empowering messages not only for female listeners, but for everyone who has ever doubted their own abilities.
The song is an anthem of encouragement. It pushes you forward when you’re feeling like giving up and urges you to power through the toughest challenges blocking the way to your dreams.
The song tells you that you are unstoppable.
11. The Climb, Miley Cyrus
“But I, I gotta keep trying, gotta keep my head held high. There's always gonna be another mountain. I'm always gonna wanna make it move. Always gonna be an uphill battle, sometimes I'm gonna have to lose. Ain't about how fast I get there. Ain't about what's waiting on the other side. It's the climb.”
This country pop single from Miley Cyrus during her Hannah Montana days inspires those on their way to success to savor every moment of the journey.
It reminds listeners that the destination, although a worthy goal, is not the only thing that matters. The journey itself is filled with opportunities for learning and for becoming better versions of ourselves.
12. We're a Winner, The Impressions
“We're all movin' all up. Lord, have mercy. We're movin' on up!”
People want to be successful, but some of us are not prepared when success comes knocking.
We hope you’ve prepared sufficiently for when opportunities present themselves. This song is for celebrating that moment when you’ve become a winner in life. Congratulations!
13. Shake It Off, Taylor Swift
“But I keep cruising. Can't stop, won't stop moving. It's like I got this music in my mind, saying it's gonna be alright.”
No matter how successful someone becomes, they are bound to have detractors. For some reason or another, these “haters” are hoping that you fail.
If people are unhappy about your success, the best thing to do is ignore them. Learn to shake off their criticism and focus on being the best you can be.
14. New Day, Alicia Keys
“Take a look in my eyes, can't you see I'm ready. Aye, come alive let's get it. Aye, if you wanna touch the sky, hands in the air one time. All night and all day. I'mma live it loud like there's only one life left to live it up. One life left to live it up.”
This song encourages us to not waste any more time pursuing things that don’t bring us closer to our dreams.
It might be difficult, but all the hard work you’re doing to make your dreams come true is worth it.
15. Go Big or Go Home, American Authors
“I'm thinking life's too short, it's passing by. So if we're gonna go at all go big or go.”
This song is a wakeup call for all of us who are procrastinating in following our dreams.
Time passes so fast.
If we keep hanging out on the sidelines rather than being fully immersed in the realization of our dreams, we will miss out on the opportunity for lasting happiness and the chance to make a difference.
16. I'm Gonna Win, Foreigner
“I'm gonna win, yeah. I'm gonna win. You see it's a matter of pride, deep down inside. I'm gonna win, yeah. I'm gonna win.
If you need a song that pushes you through that final hurdle, check out this one!
It is a celebration of tenacity and determination. It’s a tribute to all those who have felt exhausted from working so hard for their dreams.
17. Applause, Lady Gaga
“I live for the applause, applause, applause… Way that you cheer and scream for me. The applause, applause, applause.”
It’s not only detractors that you’ll gain when you become successful. You’ll also attract admirers.
If your motivation is at an all-time low, this Lady Gaga song released in 2013 is a fun way to get motivated. It reminds listeners of one of the rewards that come with success—the respect and admiration of others.
18. Exactly, Amy Steinberg
“I am exactly where I need to be. I need to be exactly where I am. I am divinely timed and shining brightly. Yes I believe there's a purpose just for me.”
We can never fully fathom the impact our actions have on other people’s lives, but believing that everything happens for a purpose can be a liberating experience.
So keep doing what you are doing. You are exactly where you’re meant to be in this moment.
19. I'm Gonna Be Somebody, Travis Tritt
“I'm gonna be somebody. One of these days I'm gonna break these chains. I'm gonna be somebody someday. You can bet your hard-earned dollar I will.”
At first glance, the title of this song seems like an anthem for those who want to be rich, famous, and powerful.
Upon further listening, however, it can be interpreted to mean leaving your mark on the lives of the people you interact with at home, at the workplace, or in the community.
We can be “somebody” to others even if we’re not Hollywood or social-media famous. And counts too.
20. Push It to the Limit, Paul Engenmann
“Push it to the limit, with no one left to stand in your way. You might get careless, but you'll never be safe while you're still livin'.”
When in pursuit of your dreams, you should give your best no matter what. You have to set aside the self-criticism, self-doubt, and fears.
Dive fully into your destiny. This song tells you to push it to the limit.
21. Don't Dream It's Over, Crowded House
“Hey now, hey now, don't dream it's over. Hey now, hey now. When the world comes in. They come, they come, to build a wall between us. We know they won't win.”
Setbacks can cause your motivation to take a nosedive, but this song tells us that it’s not yet time to put up a white flag.
Those challenges can still be overcome.
You’re going to make it through.
22. We Are the Champions, Queen
“We are the champions, my friends. And we'll keep on fighting 'til the end. We are the champions, we are the champions. No time for losers. ‘Cause we are the champions of the World.”
This song has the ability to galvanize listeners, giving them that extra boost to reach their goals.
You might want to make this song your personal anthem to overcome challenges that stand in your way. It feels great to sing the chorus at the top of your lungs.
23. My Way, Frank Sinatra
“For what is a man, what has he got? If not himself, then he has naught. To say the things he truly feels, and not the words of one who kneels. The record shows I took the blows. And did it my way.”
Frank Sinatra’s version of this song has become the unofficial personal anthem for those who are on their way to the top.
It tells the world that you’ve finally made it, and that you did it just the way you envisioned.
24. The Champion, Carrie Underwood ft. Ludacris
“I am invincible, unbreakable, unstoppable, unshakeable. They knock me down, I get up again. I am the champion, you're gon' know my name. You can't hurt me now, I can't feel the pain. I was made for this, I was born to win. I am the champion.”
Here’s another song to get increase your motivation. It is filled with affirmations that boost your confidence and empower you to succeed in your personal endeavors.
Know that you are a champion. You’ve got what it takes to win this fight.
25. Invincible, OK Go
“Invincible, you're invincible. That crushing crashing atom-smashing white hot thing. It's invincible.”
You’ve already come so far, so don’t give up. This song tells you that you’re more powerful than you think. You are capable of overcoming whatever challenges come your way.
You have the power to change your fate and manifest what you truly want.
26. Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now, Starship
“And we can build this dream together, standing strong forever. Nothing’s gonna stop us now.”
This song received a nomination in the Academy Awards in 1988 for Best Original Song.
It encourages listeners to keep believing in their dreams. Eventually, things will fall into place and their dreams will finally be within reach.
27. It’s My Life, Bon Jovi
“It’s my life and it’s now or never. I ain’t gonna live forever. I just want to live while I’m alive. It’s my life. My heart is like an open highway. Like Frankie said, ‘I did it my way.’ I just want to live while I’m alive. ’Cause it’s my life.”
This song is a celebration of the hard work that leads you to the life of your dreams. It’s an acknowledgment of how living on your own terms can make the taste of success sweeter.
28. Good Feeling, Flo Rida
“The mountain top, walk on water. I got power, feel so royal. One second, Imma strike oil. Diamond, platinum, no more for you. Gotta drill it in, never giving in. Giving up’s not an option, gotta get it in. Witness, I got the heart of 20 men. No fear, go to sleep in the lion’s den. That flow, that spark, that crown. You looking at the king of the jungle now.”
This song is about manifesting what you’ve been dreaming about. It is about overcoming obstacles and finally reaching the top.
It is a reminder that success usually leaves us feeling good about what we’ve achieved.
29. Unstoppable, Foxy Shazam
“We are unstoppable. No, we can’t be defeated. We are unstoppable. No, we don’t need a reason. We are unstoppable.”
This song is a reminder that you are a force to be reckoned with. You have the potential to achieve greatness in everything you do.
Don’t let fear stop you from reaching your dreams.
30. On My Way, Axwell Λ Ingrosso
“I’m gonna hit the throttle. I’m gonna place my bet on every step I take. Go tell everyone under the sun I’m on my way. And if I hit rock bottom, I’m gonna smile and dance with every step I take. Go tell everyone under the sun I’m on my way, on my way.”
Knowing you’re close to victory is such an exciting feeling. You’re finally seeing the culmination of all your hard work. This song reminds us that it’s time to celebrate—smile and dance as you move closer and closer to success.
31. Victorious, Wolfmother
“She will be victorious and won’t get the battle loss. Always-a mysterious, ‘cause she will be victorious.”
We all have the potential to be winners. This song is about someone who refuses to be defeated and who will ultimately be victorious.
32. Champion, Fall Out Boy
“If I can live through this, I can do anything.”
People who go through difficult times develop true grit. This song is about a person’s determination to succeed at anything after they survived a harrowing ordeal.
33. Live to Win, Paul Stanley
“Day by day, kickin’ all the way. I’m not cavin’ in. Let another round begin. Live to win.”
Grit is also the topic of this song, which describes someone who does not give in easily. In fact, the person calls for the next round of challenges to come their way because they’ve made it a mission to live to win.
34. One Little Victory, Rush
“Celebrate the moment as it turns into one more. Another chance at victory, another chance to score. The measure of the moment is a difference of degrees. Just one little victory, a spirit breaking free.”
In this song, we are reminded to appreciate each day as an opportunity to emerge victorious from the challenges we face. How we fare at the end of the day—whether we emerge successful or not—usually depends on our mindset. [Check out this article to recognize and avoid the type of mindset that limits your success.]
35. Hey Look, Ma, I Made It, Panic! At The Disco
“Hey look, ma, I made it. Hey look, ma, I made it. Everything’s comin’ up aces, aces. If it’s a dream don’t wake me, don’t wake me. I said, hey look, ma, I made it.”
Many of us just want to make our parents proud of our achievements. This song is a tribute to parents—the first people to support us as children so that we are able to reach our dreams.
Final Thoughts on Songs About Success
There you have it—a collection of songs that celebrate success and achievement. We hope you’ve found a favorite or two among the ones featured here today.
You work hard. You’ve made sacrifices. You’ve overcome those fears that used to paralyze you.
Now you’re on the path to fulfilling your dreams.
If you’ve experienced many setbacks, the victory will just be that much sweeter. (Read these warrior quotes for more encouragement.)
For more resources about success, you may want to check out the following posts:
Finally, if you want to level up your productivity and time management skills, then watch this free video about the 9 productivity habits you can build at work.
