Sometimes when I’m alone during the day on my computer I get a little beat down. So, I have an inspirational playlist that I whip out in times of need.
Like the song version of Superman, coming to save the day. Minus the tights.
I thought, if this playlist helps me, it will probably help someone else feel better too.
I present to you, in no particular order, my top 10 Inspirational Songs for Entrepreneurs!
10. Panic! At The Disco: High Hopes
My current favorite song! Panic! At The Disco is one of my all time top 10 favorite bands and their new album is probably better than A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out. Fight me. Their lead singer Brendon had this to say about the song: “I spent too long not setting my expectations high enough, worried about how it felt to fail. I hit a point when I realized I had to aim high and fail, fail, fail in order to keep growing.”
If that doesn’t describe me and my life right now, I don’t know what does. Check out some lyrics below and listen to the song. You WILL be inspired.
Had to have high high hopes for a living
Shooting for the stars when I couldn’t make a killing
Didn’t have a dime but I always had a vision
Always had high high hopes
Had to have high high hopes for a living
Didn’t know how but I always had a feeling
I was gonna be that one in a million
Always had high high hopes
9. Shawn Mendes — In My Blood
This was my anthem before High Hopes came out. I first heard this song in the car one night and was struck breathless by the depth of emotion he sang about. Being an entrepreneur is HARD and this song talks about not giving up no matter what you’re facing.
Sometimes I feel like giving up
No medicine is strong enough
Someone help me
I’m crawling in my skin
Sometimes I feel like giving up
But I just can’t
It isn’t in my blood
8. Kanye West — Stronger
Let’s just ignore the fact that Kanye loves Kanye more than anything else in the world (and this was before he got with Kimmy K.…). This song is for sure a classic. I know it’s all about him trying to get with a chick but I still find this song oddly inspiring. Something about the Daft Punk overtones in the song, I think. “N‑now th-that that don’t kill me / Can only make me stronger” I don’t know what it is about this line but I almost get goosebumps from it. I will not be defeated by becoming an entrepreneur. Everything that doesn’t work, only makes me stronger and more capable of handling whatever life throws at me next. Guaranteed.
7. The Script — Hall of Fame ft. will.i.am
Hello major dose of inspiration. Work hard and the world will know your name when you’re standing in the Hall of Fame [the crowd goes wild]. You work hard and smart and you’ll get success. Now, that’s not guaranteed, but you’d be amazed at how hard other people don’t work. I don’t think there’s a Hall of Fame for financial entrepreneurs (is the Plutus Awards as close as we get?) but the Hall of Fame for entrepreneurs looks an awful lot like having enough money to live and pay taxes without having to go back to the corporate world.
Standing in the hall of fame
And the world’s gonna know your name
‘Cause you burn with the brightest flame
And the world’s gonna know your name
And you’ll be on the walls of the hall of fame
6. Kelly Clarkson — Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)
Another power house ballad from one of my favorite artists. I know, this one is about a break up (and does wonders for your mental well being after a breakup) but! It does inspire me on days where everything is going sideways moneywise. None of this stuff is going to kill me. I am going to come out stronger on the other side.
Stand a little taller
Doesn’t mean I’m lonely when I’m alone
What doesn’t kill you makes a fighter
Footsteps even lighter
Doesn’t mean I’m over ’cause you’re gone
5. Rachel Platten — Fight Song
I used to play this song on repeat when it came out in 2014. I’m not even kidding when I say I probably played it 60 times a day. I love this song and everything it represents. Seriously. What an anthem!
To me, this song is all about the inner strength of character. The world might not believe in you, but that doesn’t matter. What matters is if YOU believe in YOURSELF.
This is my fight song
Take back my life song
Prove I’m alright song
My power’s turned on
Starting right now I’ll be strong
I’ll play my fight song
And I don’t really care if nobody else believes
‘Cause I’ve still got a lot of fight left in me
4. Carrie Underwood — The Champion ft. Ludacris
Look! A song with Ludacris in it that doesn’t start with that obnoxious “luda!!” This song is one step down from watch a Rocky marathon on the inspiration scale. Especially if you watch the video. I love it. There’s that quote “It doesn’t matter how many times you fall… what matters is how many times you stand up, shake it off, and move forward”. (Is that a quote from Rocky?) I’ve been knocked down a few times on this entrepreneurial journey, but each time it’s happened I’ve gotten back up, dusted off my behind, and kept right on going. Ok fine, there were some tears and ice cream involved in there too.
I am invincible, unbreakable
Unstoppable, unshakeable
They knock me down, I get up again
I am the champion
3. Chumbawamba — Tubthumping
As someone who calls herself a 90’s kid, I’m still really confused at this video. I have questions. A lot of them. Someone born before 1985 help me.
1. This song has a title?
2. What kind of title is Tubthumping?
3. What was going on with 90’s style? It looks like something that belongs in one of those Alien worlds from Men in Black.
4. Is this their only hit?
Anyways, millions of questions later.… the point of this post. I think it’s still pretty inspiring even if I’m 90% sure positive it’s a song about drinking and fighting. Still, there’s something about that music and the lyrics that get you pumped up. Or something. I’d include more lyrics of the song below, but that’s legit most of the song, just with different inflections.
I get knocked down, but I get up again
You are never gonna keep me down
2. Eminem — Lose Yourself
Ok Millennials, now is your time to shine. Send me your best Mom’s spaghetti memes on social media and I’ll share my favorites later.
I don’t know anybody that doesn’t get pumped up when this song comes on. Seriously, a classic. This was his first major hit. I hope my first hit comes to me while l’m listening to this song.
You own it, you better never let it go
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime
You better lose yourself in the music, the moment
You own it, you better never let it go
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime you better
1). Alicia Keys — Girl On Fire
Lest you think I would end this list on a heavy note, I bring you my girl Alicia. I am a girl, and I am on fiyah. The world is on fiyah. Everything is on fiyah. I should change my name to Fiyahry Millennials. I feel a deep connection to this song as it was written about me (not really but it’s fun to say).
This girl is on fire
She’s walking on fire
This girl is on fire
So, there you have it. My favorite songs for inspiration! Did I miss any? Sound off in the comments below with your picks! Don’t forget to help me understand Tubthumping, too 😉
I can’t wait to send this list to JD and say you won’t want to miss #5 🙂
Nice list, Gwen! I’ll work my way through them at the office today.
I was born a few years before 1985 and I was in college when Chumbawamba came out.
“1. This song has a title?”
I know, right?
“2. What kind of title is Tubthumping?”
I think it means something in British 90’s slang. Drinking? Pub crawling, maybe? The aftermath of too much to drink? Something like that. This was totally a drinking song.
“3. What was going on with 90’s style? It looks like something that belongs in one of those Alien worlds from Men in Black.”
Yeah, about that. It was a weird time. I still have a few flannel shirts from the early 90s that are pretty ratty today. Goth style was a bit more common back then too — maybe they were going for a little of that?
“4. Is this their only hit?”
Yes. This was really their high water mark in the US. There was a follow up single, but it wasn’t very popular. Then they faded away after picking some sort of a fight with the guy from The Prodigy. Maybe Chumbawamba were bigger in the UK.
I don’t know why, but Ginuwine’s “Pony” always makes me want to work on stuff. It’s a horribly inappropriate song, but it works, so whatever! Oh, and Usher’s “Yeah” is also a good one. 🙂
Haha, ‘Yeah’ is one of my guilty pleasures! One of the greats from that era 🙂
DJ Gwen!
Maybe you found a new income stream?!
got one for ya. “Win” by Jay Rock. This is a more “pump yourself up” jam, less about lyrics I guess… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrO46CJd9ns
Thatnks for the list. I think Tubthumping refers to standing on a tub and giving a speech ( rather like a soapbox). The title doesn’t seem to fit the lyrics about drinking at all, but maybe I am missing something. The band was a lot more popular in the UK, especially in punk circles!
Amazing list of songs. I agree with you on “Fight Song” not only because it’s a great morale booster, but it’s easier to sing than Kelly Clarkson’s songs. Tubthumping is awesome too especially during challenging times. Thanks for sharing this!
Oh, man, I’m so old. I recognized some of the artists in your list. But I didn’t recognize a single song. I guess that makes sense, though. I’m a baby-boomer (born 1961). Here are some of the songs that got me motivated in my youth.
Theme to Rocky
Rock the Casbah
Badlands
It’s Raining Men
Haha! If that last song doesn’t get you motivated, I don’t know what will.
Fun fact, I’m going to Philly next week! I’m now incredibly tempted to run up the stairs and be a super tourist 😀
Hello Gwen, you have shared such an amazing music list for entrepreneurs. I will recommend it to my friend, he is also an entrepreneur. Thank you so much for sharing it.
I am the Fire by Halestorm is another good one and title appropriate…
🙂
I think out of all the songs I know all of them except for two. But you’re right these are great motivational songs.
Wow! Really nice compilation! Thanks for sharing. Love Kanye West!
Definitely a featured list. Love Shawn Mendes!!
wish the success to every entrepreneurs here 🙂
the webmaster too 😉
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Excellent !!!
Thanks for share nice songs. It is really great.
Thank you for this list, for me im for ( lose urself): eminem.
i listen to it since 2007 but nothing is change, always make me feel good