What is a song about never giving up?

When you’re facing hard times, a good song can help. Whether you need the fortitude to stand up for yourself, to fight for your relationship, or to overcome an illness, music can be a great source of strength. 

You can put some of these songs about not giving up into a playlist for yourself or share it along with a Spotify gift card for someone in your life who might need a little encouragement.

Jump ahead to these sections:

• Best Songs About Not Giving Up on Yourself
• Best Songs About Not Giving Up on Someone Else
• Best Songs About Not Giving Up on Love or a Relationship
• Best Songs About Not Giving Up On Illness

Best Songs About Not Giving Up on Yourself

Music can give you a much-needed boost of energy, courage, and resiliency. These songs will help you remember to never give up on yourself. 

1. “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey 

Start your playlist off with a bang with this hit by Journey. Even if you’re “just a small-town girl, livin’ in a lonely world,” Journey is here to remind you to keep your head up. 

2. "Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor

Survivor gives us a powerful beat and some lyrics that urge us not to lose our “grip on the dreams of the past,” and that we, “must fight just to keep them alive.” 

3. "Float On” by Modest Mouse

In “Float On,” Modest Mouse lets us know that, even if you face terrible events (like getting scammed and getting fired), “we’ll all float on anyway.” 

4. "Dare You to Move” by Switchfoot

Switchfoot addresses this tune to someone who’s brand-new to the planet, letting them know that there’s “tension” between “who you are and who you could be.” They “dare you to move” and lift yourself up. 

5. “Survivor” by Destiny’s Child

Destiny’s Child gave us “Survivor” as an anthem to turn to whenever we need to stand strong on our own two feet. 

6. "It’s My Life" by Bon Jovi

We don’t live forever, and Bon Jovi makes sure to mention that fact in “It’s My Life,” belting that, “I just wanna live while I’m alive.” This song is a great inspiration to live life to its fullest. 

7. “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus

If you need a boost of encouragement when your dreams feel out of reach, just turn on “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus. Cyrus reminds us that we just, “Gotta be strong, just keep pushin’ on.” 

8. "We Are the Champions" by Queen

The ultimate power ballad by Queen will give you some much-needed self-confidence if you’re ever doubting yourself. 

9. "Confident” by Demi Lovato

Sometimes, not giving up on yourself takes confidence. Demi Lovato demonstrates how to achieve this in her aptly named tune, “Confident.” 

10. "Numb" by Linkin Park

Teen-angst power band Linkin Park provides this equally-angsty tune about being yourself when everyone wants you to be something else.  

Best Songs About Not Giving Up on Someone Else

Sometimes, you might not need the strength to stand up for yourself. Instead, you might need to find the resilience to not give up on someone else in your life. 

These songs are the perfect addition to your playlist if you’re supporting someone through hard times. With their touching tones of love and resiliency, the songs below can also make good additions to a funeral playlist. 

11. "Never Gonna Give You Up" by Rick Astley

The most obvious track about not giving up on someone you love is Rick Astley’s, “Never Gonna Give You Up.” Astley assures you that he’s “never gonna run around and desert you.” 

12. "Keep Holding On" by Avril Lavigne

When you feel like someone in your life is giving up, you might feel like telling them to “keep holding on.” Avril Lavigne does just that in her punk-pop hit, “Keep Holding On.” 

13. "Don’t Give Up" by Peter Gabriel

In the same way, you might want to implore your loved one to never give up on themselves, just as Peter Gabriel demonstrates in “Don’t Give Up.” 

14. "I Hope You Dance" by Lee Ann Womack

Lee Ann Womack shares her hopes and dreams for someone she loves in “I Hope You Dance.” That includes urging her loved one to “dance” rather than sit it out.

15. "Call On Me" by Starley

Starley gives us a song of support for a loved one who might be giving up on themselves. The lyrics state, “Well, if this is fate, then we’ll find a way to cheat,” imploring someone to keep trying. 

16. "You Are Loved" by Josh Groban

Sometimes, a person just needs to know they’re loved to gain the strength to keep going. Josh Groban gives an example of sharing that love in “You Are Loved.” 

17. "Hero" by Mariah Carey

Similarly, sometimes you just need a hero to come in and help you through your troubles. Mariah Carey’s “Hero” is a perfect example. 

18. "Firework" by Katy Perry

Katy Perry gives an example of supporting a loved one with “Firework,” telling them that they’re a firework and urging them to show what they’re worth. 

19. "Hey Hey Hey" by Michael Franti and Spearhead

In “Hey Hey Hey,” Michael Franti gives an example of supporting a loved one by telling them that, “No matter how life is today,” he won’t let another moment slip away. 

20. "I Won’t Let Go" by Rascal Flatts

Rascal Flatts “won’t let go” of the person he loves, which in turn might give you the strength to keep supporting someone in your life. 

Best Songs About Not Giving Up on Love or a Relationship

If you’re going through hard times in your relationship, but you still want to make it work, these songs could give you some much-needed encouragement. 

21. “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” by The Temptations

The Temptations give a heartwarming example of doing whatever it takes to make a relationship work with “Ain’t to Proud to Beg.” 

22. “Right Here Waiting” by Richard Marx

Richard Marx croons that he’ll be “right here waiting” for the person he loves, even through the difficult moments. 

23. "Time After Time” by Cindi Lauper

“If you’re lost you can look and you will find me, time after time,” is the perfect sentiment for loving someone, even if you’re not always together. 

24. “Try” by Pink

Pink’s love song, “Try” explains that, “Where there is desire, there is gonna be a flame.” That flame can burn you, but it also keeps that love alive. 

25. "It’s Not Over" by Secondhand Serenade 

Secondhand Serenade boldly states that “It’s not over,” in this song of the same name. 

26. "You Can’t Hurry Love" by Phil Collins

Love goes at its own pace, which can be frustrating. But ultimately, as Phil Collins explains, “You can’t hurry love.” 

27. "Waiting for Love" by Avicii

Similarly, sometimes you have to wait for love. Avicii provides a take on such situations with “Waiting for Love.”

28. “You Gotta Be" by Des’ree

Des’ree’s pop hit, “You Gotta Be” is about believing in yourself, the people around you, and your relationships all at the same time. The ladies of Des’ree sing that, “All I know, love will save the day.” 

29. "Give Me a Reason" by Pink

Pink comes in with another breakup-or-make up-themed ballad with “Give Me a Reason.” She writes that “We’re not broken just bent, and we can learn to love again.” 

30. "We Need a Resolution" by Aaliyah

Aaliyah gives some practical advice in “We Need a Resolution” when she explains the importance of talking things out. 

Best Songs About Not Giving Up On Illness

One of the hardest times we can face in life is illness. For those facing chronic or prolonged sickness, a good playlist can make a world of difference. You can even gift a loved one a music subscription as part of a care package. Here are some songs that will help you stay strong in the face of illness. 

31. "Mama Said Knock You Out" by LL Cool J

Sometimes it helps to see illness as an opponent in the ring. Just put on “Mama Said Knock You Out” and do a few air-punches, picturing your illness as the recipient. 

32. "Never Give Up the Fight" by Avant

Avant gives a direct message about never giving up, which easily applies to fighting illness. 

33. "Let It Be" by The Beatles

Part of overcoming illness is often accepting what we can’t change. While you’re fighting the fight, it’s also important to “Let It Be” when there’s nothing you can do. 

34. "Stronger" by Kelly Clarkson

At the same time, keeping up the fight is crucial, and Kelly Clarkson’s Stronger is the perfect soundtrack for remaining strong. 

35. "Get Up Stand Up" by Bob Marley

Bob Marley tells us, “Get up, stand up, don’t give up the fight.” When you need encouragement on a difficult day, this message can be deeply meaningful. 

36. "Fighter" by Christina Aguilera

Christina Aguilera sings about a “Fighter” in her song, “Fighter.” When you’re staying strong through illness, it can sometimes feel like a long and drawn-out battle. 

37. "Brave" by Sara Bareilles

It takes bravery to stay strong through illness. When you need an extra boost of bravery, the song, “Brave” by Sara Bareilles is a perfect choice. 

38. "Under Pressure" by Queen and David Bowie

Illness can put constant pressure on you that feels stifling and limiting. “Under Pressure” by Queen and David Bowie expresses that pressure to a T. 

39. "Warrior" by Demi Lavato

Demi Lovato sings about being a “warrior” in her song, Warrior. When you’re staying strong through a difficult illness, you’re a warrior. 

40. "Roar" by Katy Perry

Katy Perry expresses similar things in the song, Roar, which can give you the strength to “roar” in the face of illness. 

Songs About Resilience 

All of these songs about not giving up and resiliency can make a perfect soundtrack whenever you need a boost of confidence or inner strength.

When you need an extra boost, you might want to check out these quotes about strength, too.