Top 10 Inspirational Songs

Music is a powerful tool and can impact our emotions in a variety of ways. Some songs make us want to dance, some remind us of a joyous time in our lives, and some bring tears to our eyes.

There are some songs that push you to run that extra mile on the treadmill and some that give you the smallest glimmer of hope that you need to get through an exhausting work day.

Every diverse artist on this list lives up to that very title. From Eminem to U2, all of these performers have created songs that have become a major part of our culture and inspire us to be better people. Although some of them like Michael Jackson are no longer with us, their music lives on.

You will most likely have heard a few of these songs at some point in your life, simply by watching a movie or going to a sports event. This is a list of 10 of the most inspirational songs that remind you to never give up.

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10. "Wavin' Flag" by K'Naan

K'Naan originally wrote this song to honor his home country of Somalia and the struggles that people have went through for freedom. Later on, Coca-Cola sponsored a remix of the song and used for one of the inspirational theme songs of the 2010 FIFA World Cup which took place in South Africa.


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9. "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" by Santa Esmeralda

First sung by Nina Simone in 1964, this song originally had a slower beat and jazz feel to it. The Animals also covered the song but it wasn't until a decade later that the group known as Santa Esmeralda released an epic 16 minute upbeat cover of the song. Santa Esmeralda's cover was featured in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill.


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8. "I Believe I Can Fly" by R. Kelly

This song first appeared in the movie Space Jam and has been inspiring us to believe in ourselves ever since. "I Believe I Can Fly" received three Grammy Awards and is considered to be R. Kelly's greatest song of his career.


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7. "The Middle" by Jimmy Eat World

"The Middle" was released in 2001 after Jimmy Eat World lost their partnership with Capitol Records. The lyrics seem to explain what the band was feeling at that moment in their career and thankfully the lyrics spoke to everyone else who might have been stuck in "The Middle." Thankfully for Jimmy Eat World, the song became a smash hit and saved them from being written off as simply just another struggling rock band.


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6. "Beautiful Day" by U2

"Beautiful Day" was the first track on U2's album All You Can Leave Behind and is one of the band's greatest hits. The song won three Grammy Awards in 2001 and reminds us to try and remember how lucky we are to be alive and to not take any day for granted.


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5. "Lose Yourself" by Eminem

Part of the soundtrack to Eminem's movie 8 Mile, "Lose Yourself" is one of the most iconic rap songs in the history of the genre. Eminem wrote the song while he taking breaks on the set filming 8 Mile which speaks to his lyrical genius. "Lose Yourself" was the first ever rap song to win the Academy Award for Best Original Song.


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4. "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey

One of the greatest karaoke songs in existence, Journey released "Don't Stop Believin'" in 1981 and since then the record has become a staple in popular culture. You might recognize the song as an anthem for your favorite sports team or from HBO's The Sopranos. The song is also featured in the Broadway musical Rock of Ages so it's clear to see that "Don't Stop Believin'" speaks to and inspires a variety of audiences.


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3. "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor

Nothing is quite as recognizable as the opening melody of "Eye of the Tiger." The song was created by Survivor at the request of Sylvester Stallone who wanted the perfect theme song to match his character in Rocky III. If you ever need a song for a montage, it is impossible to go wrong with "Eye of the Tiger."


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2. "Man in the Mirror" by Michael Jackson

The world lost the King of Pop when Michael Jackson passed away in 2009. Jackson released "Man in the Mirror" in 1988 as part of his album Bad. Regardless of his bizarre personal life, no one can argue that Jackson is one of the greatest entertainers of all time. Even after his death, Jackson has become immortal through the legacy of his music.


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1. "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World" by Israel Kamakawiwoʻole

The number one spot on this list goes to a song that combines two terrific inspirational songs to create one perfect, peaceful melody that brings a tear to your eyes and joy to your heart. The late Israel Kamakawiwo'ole did the impossible by redefining an already iconic song sung by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz.
Whenever you are feeling sad or confused, don't be afraid to turn to one of these songs or one of your own favorite songs to renew your spirits.

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