20 Songs About Surviving and Resilience

Music speaks to everyone, no matter where they’re from or what they believe. And one of the coolest things music talks about is surviving.

Think about all those awesome tunes, from old-school rock to today’s pop jams. They’re all about making it through tough times. They remind us how strong we are, even when life gets rough.

So, here’s a playlist of 20 songs about surviving that capture that fighting spirit. They’re like our personal anthems when things get hard. Let’s dive in and check them out!

20 Songs About Surviving and Resilience

1. “Survivor” by Destiny’s Child

“Survivor” by Destiny’s Child is a song from 2001 that talks about more than just getting through life; it’s about overcoming emotional challenges.

The lyrics convey the message of not just surviving but thriving after heartache. The singers faced doubts from someone who thought they couldn’t make it without them.

However, they proved them wrong, declaring “I’m a survivor, I’m not gon’ give up / I’m not gon’ stop, I’m gon’ work harder” throughout the song.

“Survivor” is a powerful anthem of resilience and determination.

2. “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor

“I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor is a famous song known for its message of resilience. Released in 1978, it quickly became popular.

The song’s empowering disco vibe and lyrics convey a strong message of strength and self-sufficiency, especially with lines like “Oh, I, I will survive, As long as I know how to love, I know I’ll stay alive ‘Cause I’ve got all my life to live.”

Even after more than four decades, “I Will Survive” remains relevant. Its timeless message resonates with people and is often used in popular culture to symbolize perseverance in tough times.

3. “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” by Kelly Clarkson

“Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” by Kelly Clarkson is a powerful song about overcoming tough times. It came out in 2011 and has been a source of strength for many since then.

The lyrics talk about how going through hard times can actually make you stronger. It’s like saying that what doesn’t break you makes you tougher. As the song goes, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, stand a little taller.”

This song isn’t just popular because of its catchy tune. It’s like a reminder to keep fighting, no matter what life throws at you. It tells you that even though things might be tough, you can come out of it stronger than before.

4. “I Made It Through the Rain” By Barry Manilow

“I Made It Through the Rain” by Barry Manilow, from his 1980 album “Barry,” is a song that has long been an anthem for those facing life’s challenges.

While it doesn’t have the word “surviving” in the title, its lyrics offer hope to dreamers enduring tough times. The metaphorical rain represents the hardships we all encounter, making the song relatable to many.

It gently reminds us that despite life’s storms, we each possess inner strength to overcome adversity and emerge victorious, as echoed in the lyrics: “I made it through the rain, I kept my world protected, I made it thought the rain, I kept my point of view.”

5. “I’m A Survivor” by Reba McEntire

“I’m A Survivor” by Reba McEntire is a song that speaks volumes about resilience. Released in 2001, it’s been a source of strength for many.

The lyrics tell the story of someone who defied the odds. Despite being born premature and given little chance of survival, they persevered with the help of their mother and faith. This sets the tone for the rest of the song, which talks about overcoming obstacles throughout life. As the song goes, “I’m a survivor, I’m not gon’ give up, I’m not gon’ stop.”

Whether you’re into country music or not, “I’m A Survivor” carries a powerful message. It’s a reminder that no matter what life throws your way, you can overcome it. This song continues to inspire and uplift listeners, showing the profound impact music can have during tough times.

6. “I’m Still Standing” By Elton John

“I’m Still Standing” by Elton John is a spirited song from his 1983 album Too Low for Zero. It’s all about bouncing back from tough times.

The lyrics tell the story of someone who’s been through a lot but refuses to give up. They proudly declare, “I’m still standing, yeah, yeah, yeah!”

Since its release, this song has stayed strong and even gained new fans. When Taron Egerton sang it in the 2019 movie Rocketman, it introduced the song to a whole new audience, proving its timeless message of resilience.

7. “Keep Holding On” By Avril Lavigne

Avril Lavigne’s song “Keep Holding On” packs a punch with its pop-punk vibe and heartfelt words. It came out in 2007 as part of the movie Eragon’s soundtrack.

The lyrics are like a shout-out to anyone going through tough times. The chorus goes, “Keep holding on / ‘Cause you know we’ll make it through,” reminding us to stay strong and keep going even when things get rough.

It’s a reminder to tap into our inner strength and keep pushing forward, no matter what challenges come our way.

Lavigne’s powerful voice brings the lyrics to life. The uplifting tune and encouraging words make “Keep Holding On” a song that speaks to anyone facing hard times.

8. “Roar” by Katy Perry

“Roar” by Katy Perry is a powerful song about being strong and confident. It came out in 2013 on her album Prism and has been a source of inspiration for many people since then.

The lyrics talk about being resilient and determined, especially when facing tough times. The chorus, in particular, speaks to the inner strength we all have to overcome challenges and keep going. As Katy Perry sings, “I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire.”

“Roar” was a huge hit, reaching the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the US. It also got billions of views on YouTube, showing how much people connected with its message of empowerment.

9. “Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey

Next up is “Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey, a classic rock anthem you’ve probably heard before. It came out in 1981 on the album Escape and has become a favorite on classic rock radio.

The song is about a small-town girl and a city boy, both going through their own struggles and chasing their dreams.

The chorus goes, “Don’t stop believin’, hold on to that feelin’,” which is a message to keep believing in yourself, especially when things are tough. It’s all about staying strong and not giving up.

Since its release, “Don’t Stop Believin'” has been super popular. It’s even been certified Diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), showing just how many people love it.

10. “I Can See Clearly Now” by Johnny Nash

Johnny Nash’s song “I Can See Clearly Now” has been around since 1972. It’s like a light in the dark, giving hope and strength. The words and the music make you feel like you can conquer anything.

The lyrics talk about getting through tough times and finding clarity. The first line, “I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,” is like saying you’ve made it through the storm and now things are clear and bright.

Even though the song doesn’t say “surviving” outright, it’s all about bouncing back from challenges and winning against the odds. It’s a song of hope and triumph that really sticks with you.

And who can forget: “I can see all obstacles in my way. Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind.” These lines really capture the feeling of breaking free from obstacles and seeing a brighter path ahead.

11. “Keep Your Head Up” by Andy Grammer

“Keep Your Head Up” by Andy Grammer is a song that encourages resilience and optimism. Since its release in 2010, it’s been an anthem for those facing life’s challenges.

The song starts by acknowledging the struggles and pressures of everyday life, but then Grammer hits us with a powerful message: “You gotta keep your head up, oh, / And you can let your hair down, eh.”

This chorus is all about reminding us to stay positive, even when things get tough. It recognizes that we all have moments of weakness, but it emphasizes the importance of staying strong and resilient. As the song goes on, Grammer sings, “Oh, you turn out fine Fine, oh, you turn out fine.”

12. “Don’t Stop” By Fleetwood Mac

This song by Fleetwood Mac is all about being strong and bouncing back. It came out in 1997 on their popular album called Rumours.

The music is upbeat and the singing is really uplifting. Even though it sounds happy, the lyrics have a deeper meaning. They remind us that tough times don’t last forever and better days are ahead. As the song goes, “Don’t stop, thinking about tomorrow, don’t stop, it’ll soon be here.”

Basically, “Don’t Stop” is like a cheer for anyone going through a hard time. It tells us to stay tough, keep going, and believe that things will get better soon.

13. “Fighter” By Christina Aguilera

Christina Aguilera released “Fighter” in 2002 on her album Stripped. The song is all about overcoming tough times and growing as a person.

The lines “Cause it makes me that much stronger, / Makes me work a little bit harder” show how surviving challenges can make you stronger. It’s like saying that going through hard times can make you tougher and more determined.

“Fighter” encourages us to see our struggles as opportunities to become better. Christina Aguilera wants us to be fighters, not just when things get tough, but in everything we do

14. “Survival” By Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Ft. Ky-Mani Marley

In 2019, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony teamed up with Ky-Mani Marley to drop “Survival,” a gripping tale of making it through the streets.

Even though the song doesn’t say “surviving” outright, it’s all about fighting to stay alive. It starts with the narrator promising, “Girl, I’ll be there when the mornin’ comes ’cause these hands were made for survival.”

Then, it dives into the struggles the narrator faces just to keep going and keep his promise to be there in the morning.

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and Ky-Mani Marley’s lyrics urge listeners to tackle their own challenges head-on and never give up, no matter how hard things get.

And who could forget: “There’s many levels to my hustle, the struggle won’t take me under, They wonder how I survived it, kill it then revive it.” These words resonate with anyone fighting to survive against the odds.

15. “Rain On Me” By Lady Gaga Ft. Ariana Grande

Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande teamed up for the uplifting song “Rain on Me.” It’s part of Lady Gaga’s album Chromatica and it’s all about surviving tough times.

The song is like a message of hope. It tells us to keep going through our struggles because things will get better. The lines “Rain on me / I’d rather be dry, but at least I’m alive” talk about finding relief in letting out emotions, even if it’s tough.

“Rain on Me” is a reminder of how strong we can be even when life gets hard. It encourages us to keep dancing and finding happiness, even when it feels like everything is raining down on us.

16. “Song For Survival” By Neel Adhikari & Mithila Palkar

In 2017, Neel Adhikari and Mithila Palkar teamed up to create a song called “Song for Survival.” It’s all about facing tough times and holding onto hope for better days.

The lines “It’s not for us to say what will be, and at the end of the day, / we’ll see which way the whole thing bends, / and what it could bring” talk about how life is uncertain, but we have to keep going despite not knowing what will happen.

This song shows survival as more than just existing – it’s about choosing to keep fighting even when things are tough. It’s a reminder of how strong people can be when they adapt and keep going.

17. “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus

Let’s talk about a special song from the 2009 movie Hannah Montana: The Movie. “The Climb,” sung by Miley Cyrus, is all about staying strong in tough times.

Lines like “There’s always gonna be another mountain, I’m always gonna wanna make it move” show that challenges keep coming, but we keep pushing forward. Instead of seeing challenges as impossible, the song says they’re just part of our journey, our “climb.”

“The Climb” reminds us that even when life gets hard, what matters is how we grow and keep going. It’s a song about surviving and learning from it all

18. “Stayin’ Alive” by The Bee Gees

Let’s groove to a classic from 1977: “Stayin’ Alive” by The Bee Gees, featured in the Saturday Night Fever movie soundtrack.

You might first notice the catchy disco beat, but this song goes deeper. It’s all about surviving tough times.

The lyrics talk about pushing through when life gets hard. Even when things seem stuck, “Stayin’ Alive” tells us to keep going. With lines like “Well, now, I get low and I get high, and if I can’t get either, I really try,” it’s a reminder to keep our spirits up.

When it came out, “Stayin’ Alive” not only hit the top of the Billboard Hot 100 but stayed there for four weeks straight. It became a big part of the culture back then.

19. “Warrior” by Demi Lovato

Released in 2013, “Warrior” is a strong song about surviving tough times by Demi Lovato, an American singer. It’s part of their fourth album, Demi.

Lovato and Lindy Robbins wrote the song together. “Warrior” tells Lovato’s own story of beating challenges. The line “I’m a warrior, I’m stronger than I’ve ever been” shows how she grew stronger from her struggles.

For fans, the song’s words connect with anyone who has faced tough times, showing that surviving and growing are possible. “Warrior” encourages us to be brave, strong, and determined in facing our own obstacles.

20. “The One To Survive” by Hidden Citizens

“The One To Survive” by Hidden Citizens featuring Josh Bruce Williams is a powerful song released in 2018. It’s all about pushing through tough times and being resilient.

The lyrics are full of determination, like when they say, “Even if the world is ending, I will make it out alive, I will be the one to survive.” It’s all about being the one who keeps going, no matter what.

The music matches the lyrics perfectly, with strong beats and a catchy melody that makes you feel empowered. Overall, it’s a song that not only sounds great but also lifts you up and motivates you to keep going.

Submit Your Song to This Playlist

Do you have a track or song you’d like to feature on this playlist? If so, please fill out the form below for our evaluation.

Listen on Other Music Streaming Platforms

For your convenience, you can listen to our playlist on:

• Spotify
• YouTube Music
• SoundCloud

Serena Whitfield

Serena Whitfield is the founder of PlaylistCurator.org. She’s a musician who writes songs for bands. She studied music at the University of Oxford and graduated with distinction. With her expertise, she knows how to review songs and understand what makes good and bad music. Every playlist on our platform is approved by her before publishing to maintain top-notch quality. If you want her to check out your song and maybe get featured on our playlist, submit your song for Serena to evaluate.