40 Motivational Songs That’ll Keep You Refreshed!
By Ellesse Chow
When I used to commute to the office, there was something I would never leave the house with. My pda phone.
Not only does it contain my appointments and schedules, it had all my favourite speaker’s seminar mp3s and a compilation of upbeat & inspirational songs. Such songs never fail to bring up the vibes in me and spice up my mornings. A very good monday morning blues killer!
Upon the request of one of the Goal Setting College reader Chris, I’ve taken the liberty to compile this list of popular top motivational songs for your enjoyment. I’ve even added some of my personal favourites! But remember, even though music has the power to drive and motivate you, nothing beats the sound of your inner voice.
Something that’s really true to your heart.
Classic Popular Hits
- Eye of the Tiger - Survivor
- Chariots of Fire - Vangelis
- The Final Countdown - Europe
- We Are the Champions - Queen
- We Will Rock You - Queen
- I’ve Got the Power - Snap
- It’s My Life - Bon Jovi
- Affirmation - Savage Garden
- Beautiful Day - U2
- What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
- I Feel Good - James Brown
- I Can See Clearly Now - Johnny Nash
- Lovely Day - Bill Withers
- Walking On Sunshine - Katrina and the Waves
- Live Like You Were Dying - Tim McGraw
- I Believe I Can Fly - R. Kelly
- You Gotta Be - Des’ree
- When You Believe - Mariah Carey/ Whitney Houston
- Hero - Mariah Carey
- I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
- Bad Day - Daniel Powter
- Man In The Mirror - Michael Jackson
- I’m Alive - Celine Dione
- Tub Thumping - Chumba Wumba
- Loose Yourself - Eminem
- Remember The Name - Fort Minor
- Till I Collapse - Eminem
- Return to Innocence - Enigma
- O Fortuna - Carmina Burana
My Personal Favourites
- Orinoco Flow - Enya
- Only Time - Enya
- True to Your Heart - 98 degrees & Stevie Wonder
- Fly - Celine Dione
- Now We Are Free - Lisa Gerard
- When You Say Nothing At All - Ronan Keating
- New Day - Celine Dione
- One Day More - Les Miserables
- The Prayer - Celine Dione & Andrea Bocelli
- Nessun Dorma - Pavarotti *
- Time To Say Goodbye - Sarah Brightman & Andrea Boccelli *
* These 2 songs remind me of Paul Potts. And if you haven’t caught the story of this inspiring car phone salesman, check out here. Feel free to add any songs that you like to this list!
Disclaimer : The links point to external resources and I sincerely apologize if they contain scenes or comments you find deplorable. I also appreciate the fact that everyone will have their favourites and if none of the above constitute inspirational or motivational in your point of view, please accept my deepest regrets!
**Photo by Aubergene
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Thank you for this amazing resource of songs Ellesse and thank you even more for linking to the Paul Potts story. I’ll be linking to both of these from my site in the near future.
Alex, thank you! Paul Potts’ little story never fail to bring out the goose pimples. It has reached out to everyone in the world with this simple message : Everyone, everyone can achieve their dreams.
As long as you dare to dream and dare to put it to action.
Inspiring.
Hi Ellese - you have yet again successfully put together a fine list. The video of Paul Potts is great. From what I understand, he even had a performance tour recently.
Cool to see that some of my favorites are on this list as well. Some of these songs are on my iPod now. “O Fortuna” and “Time to Say Goodbye” is in the same folder as Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” (Symph No. 9). I guess that’s why they call them the classics!
Al, the Paul Potts video is fantastic. My brother had watched it umpteen times. In fact it was through him that I got to know about Paul’s achievement.
Glad you liked the compilation! I tried to include the popular traditional motivational songs. But I do acknowledge the fact that different songs had different appeal to people. Oh, Symphony No 9 was on my original list too!
Great songs, Ellesse! When I take a long drive, I also need good music.
I also like “Turn the Beat Around” by Vicki Sue Robinson. Puts me in a good mood right away. Verdi’s “Va pensiero” from the opera Nabucco is also very stirring.
some great songs here ellesse thanks for taking the time to compile this.
i would have to add:
Search for the hero - M People
Superstar - Love Inc
Saints and Sinners - Paddy Casey (fabulous song)
Free fallin’ - Tom Petty (nothing like it driving along the mororway singing your heart out.
Orinoco Flow - Enya is an amazing song. I think almost every single one of her songs is great to design or think to.
@Kirsten, the vibes of ‘Turn the Beat Around’ is really infectious. Really gets you moving into action! Love the Verdi recommendation… It was one of the songs we sang when I was in the high school choir! Bring back fond memories…
@Steven, great songs, all of them. And I especially loved Free fallin’…
@Pinny, totally agree! Enya’s songs never fail to bring out some bright ideas. They were often used in personal development seminars & weddings over here too
!
Everyone, thanks for introducing some great songs to me… good stuff. And for those who wants to listen to the new recommendations, just go to Youtube and search for the music video.
Keep the recommendations coming!
Hey, Ellesse you to good taste for songs.
Thank you for sharing and linking them to youtube
Nice job
We are the Champions!
Gamy
Great list Ellesse! Some of my favorites, too.
@Gamy, ah… we share the same tastes, do we?
@Alex, thank you… your comments never fail to warm my heart! Just like your articles…
Awesome list Ellesse! You sure do find some gem for us readers here at Goal Setting College
Hey Ritu, it’s my pleasure. Especially if it’s helpful to my readers!
Thanks! I needed these to get through the morning at work today. I’m now rocking out to “Beautiful Day”
Hey UncommonBlonde, thanks for popping over! Hope you enjoy the songs. Ah… I love BlogHer for bringing me new visitors!
i would like to suggest song from S Club 7, Bring It All Back. ^_^
Thanks Hanne for your contribution! Anyone else?
A lot of great motivational songs there. Another I frequently use is “Better Now” by Collective Soul.
AC, that’s one full of energy! Thanks for your suggestion!
Orinoco Flow was #1 in the UK when I was born; motivation for anyone! I suppose that makes me a spring chicken…
Don’t forget Beautiful World by Colin Hay!
Ben,
Oli, thanks for adding that song. A good one I’ve omitted!
If you don’t mind going back to the 80’s, might as well add the Greatest American Hero theme song or the lesser known Spikolli’s Theme from The Fast Times at Ridgemont High soundtrack. Also Neil Diamond did a 70s song tribute to Johnathan Livingston Seagul that’s pretty inspirational. I also like to play Queen’s Flash Gordon theme when I want to go on an ego trip or make fun of people who think they are the “Savior of the Universe!!” Being a Canadian myself, I can’t tollerate Celine Dion…my inspriation goes out the window when I hear her screaching.
Wow Frank, that’s some great introduction to the songs you’ve suggested! I’ll definitely check them out later on Youtube!…
And for Celine Dion, I’m really sorry if my listing of her songs have affected you in a way or another. I’ve tried to make the list as diversified as possible but I reckon that different people have different personal preferences, especially when it comes to something so moving such as songs or music. And I fully respect that!
Nonetheless, I sincerely thank you for dropping by and expressing your frank opinion
Really appreciate that!
You forgot the charles in charge theme
Thanks for your suggestion!
You should add Somewhere over the rainbow/what a wonderful world by IZ. A great song sung by a great man.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PL-uL2M3xvM
You forgot to include “Start Me Up” by the Rolling Stones.
Wow, the Paul Potts video and story is incredible!
Looks like he’s touring the entire world this year. Wonderful.
Considering that you like Paul Potts, why aren’t any of his songs on the list? His CD titled “One Chance” has some wonderful songs on it, and his voice just can’t help but be inspirational. It is really hard to choose a favorite from his CD, but if I absolutely had to it would be “Nella Fantasia”.
BTW, he is still on tour, and will be touring worldwide until June.
@Neoxl, thanks for the link to the video! Israel must have been a inspirational personality! It’s a pity I didn’t get to know about his songs prior to that! Thanks for the great introduction.
@Denise, thanks for the kind reminder! Rolling Stones’ a classic too.
@Angela, yeah. He was not confident of himself, often a subject of bully when he was younger but that didn’t stop him from becoming one of the world’s greatest inspiration. Good stuff!
@TJ, I’m sorry to admit I didn’t buy his album **embarrassed**. In fact, if wasn’t for my brother who frequents youtube, I wouldn’t have heard about his amazing story. That’ being said, I’m glad you’ve done the work for us by introducing his songs. Will definitely check them out! Thanks TJ…
Thank you so much for this list. I’ll be returning again and again. It provided me with a great lift. You are an extremely capable list poster.
Hey Tom, thanks for your kind words! And I definitely welcome you to come back again and again!
you just can’t forget Everyday-Bon Jovi…
great song
Mithil, Thanks for the recommendation! Appreciate it!
Bobby Mcferrin - Don’t Worry, Be Happy
Shiny Happy People - R.E.M.
Enjoy.
Thanks anonymous for the 2 good songs!
believe-suzie mc neil
reallly gfood!
A great song is march on by Good Charlotte
Also beautiful day by U2
Great, great, great! I giggle at this and love it. I definitely will send this to Stumbleupon.
did you every hear of Keb Mo’s Let Your Light Shine? It’s great!
http://www.last.fm/music/Keb‘+Mo’/_/Let+Your+Light+Shine
all my best and greatness to you, your blog is awesome.
@Marie, Jordan thanks for your recommendations! Btw, Jordan, I like Beautiful day too, it’s on the list!
@Fawn Thank you for your kind words. I haven’t heard of Keb Mo’s song and the link you’ve sent broke. Can you send it again so that the other readers can listen to it?