50 Songs About Hope, Strength and Not Giving Up

What is the most hopeful song?

"Here Comes the Sun" by The Beatles is the song most people name: a promise that a long winter always ends. "Three Little Birds" by Bob Marley and "Let It Be" by The Beatles are close behind, and for a modern pick, "Rise Up" by Andra Day and "Fight Song" by Rachel Platten have become anthems of hope.

Classic songs of hope

1. "Here Comes the Sun", The Beatles: the end of a long, cold winter.
2. "Let It Be", The Beatles: peace in what you cannot change.
3. "Bridge Over Troubled Water", Simon & Garfunkel: someone will carry you.
4. "Lean on Me", Bill Withers: a promise of support.
5. "Three Little Birds", Bob Marley: a gentle reminder not to worry.
6. "Redemption Song", Bob Marley: freedom and hope in one acoustic song.
7. "Blowin' in the Wind", Bob Dylan: the questions that keep hope alive.
8. "A Change Is Gonna Come", Sam Cooke: hope through struggle.
9. "What a Wonderful World", Louis Armstrong: gratitude as hope.
10. "Reach Out I'll Be There", Four Tops: a promise to the one who is struggling.
11. "I Can See Clearly Now", Johnny Nash: the clouds lifting after a storm.
12. "Imagine", John Lennon: hope for a better world.
13. "You'll Never Walk Alone", from Carousel: the hymn of hope sung in stadiums.
14. "Lovely Day", Bill Withers: a sunny soul classic.

Songs about hope and not giving up

15. "Don't Stop Believin'", Journey: the anthem of holding on.
16. "Hold On", Wilson Phillips: a 90s anthem for getting through.
17. "Fix You", Coldplay: comfort when nothing seems to work.
18. "Keep Holding On", Avril Lavigne: a promise to stand together.
19. "The Climb", Miley Cyrus: the journey matters.
20. "Rise Up", Andra Day: rising again and again.
21. "Fight Song", Rachel Platten: a small voice that gets loud.
22. "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)", Kelly Clarkson: coming back tougher.
23. "I Will Survive", Gloria Gaynor: the original survival anthem.
24. "Eye of the Tiger", Survivor: for the comeback.
25. "Titanium", David Guetta featuring Sia: unbreakable.
26. "Don't Give Up", Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush: a duet for the lowest moment.

Modern songs about hope

27. "Brave", Sara Bareilles: about finding your voice.
28. "I Lived", OneRepublic: a life lived fully.
29. "A Million Dreams", from The Greatest Showman: dreaming bigger.
30. "This Is Me", from The Greatest Showman: standing tall.
31. "Unstoppable", Sia: confidence when you need it.
32. "Good Days", SZA: waiting for better days to arrive.
33. "Better Days", OneRepublic: written when the whole world needed hope.
34. "Rainbow", Kacey Musgraves: a gentle song about letting the sun back in.
35. "Unwritten", Natasha Bedingfield: a whole new story ahead.
36. "Shake It Out", Florence + The Machine: leaving the past behind.

Songs about hope in hard times

37. "Everybody Hurts", R.E.M.: comfort for anyone in pain.
38. "Keep Your Head Up", Andy Grammer: a gentle push forward.
39. "1-800-273-8255", Logic featuring Alessia Cara and Khalid: a song that helped many people reach out for help.
40. "Breathe (2 AM)", Anna Nalick: a song for sleepless nights.
41. "Stand by You", Rachel Platten: a promise to stay.
42. "Scars to Your Beautiful", Alessia Cara: you are enough.

If you or someone you know is struggling, in the US you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at any hour.

Faith songs of hope

43. "Living Hope", Phil Wickham: the modern worship anthem of hope.
44. "Way Maker", Sinach: sung in churches around the world.
45. "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)", Hillsong United: trust in deep water.
46. "Even If", MercyMe: faith when the answer is not the one you prayed for.
47. "Praise You in This Storm", Casting Crowns: hope in the middle of the storm.
48. "Blessings", Laura Story: finding grace in pain.
49. "It Is Well with My Soul": the hymn of peace after loss.
50. "Take Courage", Bethel Music: waiting with hope.

Songs about strength

For a song about inner strength, "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)", "Titanium", "Rise Up", "Fight Song" and "Unstoppable" are the favorites. For quiet strength, "Let It Be", "The Climb" and "It Is Well with My Soul" say it without shouting.

Encouragement songs for a friend

Sending a song can say what is hard to say out loud. For a friend going through a breakup, choose "Shake It Out" or "I Will Survive"; for a loss, "Bridge Over Troubled Water" or "Fix You"; for an illness, "Keep Holding On" or "Lean on Me"; for a new start, "Unwritten" or "Here Comes the Sun". Add one honest sentence about why you thought of them.

Songs about hope for the future

For a graduation, a new job or a new year, "Unwritten", "A Million Dreams", "Better Days", "Imagine" and "Here Comes the Sun" all look forward. More in our lists of songs about moving on and songs about second chances.

Songs of hope after a loss

Grief and hope can live side by side. "Let It Be", "It Is Well with My Soul", "Three Little Birds" and "Rainbow" offer comfort without forcing anyone to feel better too soon. See also our songs about heaven.

A song of hope written for someone

When someone you love is going through treatment, a loss or a hard year, a personalized song can remind them who they are: their name, their strengths, the people in their corner and the good days ahead. It plays from a link, so they can listen whenever they need it.

How to create a song of encouragement

1. Choose a style from 14 genres: acoustic, pop, country, R&B and more.
2. Add their name.
3. Share three strengths or memories and what you want them to know.
4. Review the lyrics and edit or regenerate them for free before any music is made.
5. Listen to 4 free 45-second previews and choose your favorite.

The full 3 to 4 minute song costs $24.99, or $29.99 for Premium with four full versions and editable lyrics. You get the MP3, a gift page and the lyrics as a PDF.

Send someone a reason to keep going: create a song and hear four previews for free.