You found our list of the best motivational songs for work.
Motivational songs for work are upbeat anthems to inspire employees. For example, Eye of the Tiger by Survivor and Whatever It Takes by Imagine Dragons. The purpose of this music is to give employees the encouragement and energy needed to achieve goals.
These songs are similar to team building songs, songs about teamwork, and high energy songs for conferences.
This list includes:
- songs about hard work and success
- motivational rock songs for work
- motivational rap songs for work
- motivational theme songs for work
- inspirational songs for work
- songs about working
Let’s get to it!
List of motivational songs for work
Here is a list of inspiring songs for work.
1. Eye of the Tiger – Survivor
Eye of the Tiger is one of the most popular motivational theme songs for work of all time. The song is all about overcoming obstacles and facing challenges and triumphing in the end. The singer urges listeners to persevere without losing hope or passion, and the beat gives an extra boost of confidence. As soon as that infamous hook begins to play, folks start psyching themselves up.
Most motivational lyric: “Don’t lose your grip on the dreams of the past//You must fight just to keep them alive.”
2. Remember the Name – Fort Minor
Remember the Name is about working hard and building a reputation. The chorus lists off the ingredients needed for success– luck, skill, and persistence. The verses tell the story of a rapper making it, but emphasize that the journey is not just about fame or money, but about creating meaningful work. Remember the Name is the song to play to pump yourself up to perform at your best.
Most motivational lyric: “This is ten percent luck//Twenty percent skill//Fifteen percent concentrated power of will//Five percent pleasure//Fifty percent pain//And a hundred percent reason to remember the name.”
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3. Work Work – Britney Spears
Work Work by Britney Spears is one of the best songs about hard work and success. In this dance hit, Britney preaches the relationship between rewards and results and lets listeners know that if they crave the nicer things in life, then they better get moving and working towards their goals.
If your workplace is cool with colorful language (or you have headphones!) then feel free to blast the original, Work B*tch.
Most motivational lyric: “Hold your head high, fingers to the sky//They gonna try and try ya, but they can’t deny ya//Keep it building higher, and higher.”
4. Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger – Daft Punk
Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger by Daft Punk is a mantra for constant improvement. The song only contains a few repeated lyrics. The spirit of the song is that work is never over, and pushing yourself beyond your limits fuels growth.
Stronger, the Ye remix of this song, is also a strong contender for best motivational work music, although you may want to opt for a clean cut to be more safe-for-work.
Most motivational lyric: “Work it harder, make it better//Do it faster, makes us stronger”
5. Hall of Fame – The Script ft will.i.am
Hall of Fame is one of the top inspirational songs for work. The song assures that persistence and patience pay off and tells listeners that their hard work will be remembered. Hall of Fame is a call to action to find deeper meaning in work and create a lasting legacy.
Most motivational lyric: “Standin’ in the Hall of Fame//And the world’s gonna know your name//’Cause you burn with the brightest flame.”
6. Here It Goes Again – Ok Go
Here It Goes Again is a reminder to expect the unexpected and accept factors outside of your control. The song reminds listeners that even when things seem to be going smoothly, plans can go awry. This lighthearted song shows that hiccups happen, and encourages folks to keep going anyway.
Not to mention, learning the famously viral treadmill dance can be a fun team building activity.
Most motivational lyric: “Just when you think (think) you’re in control//Just when you think (think) you’ve got a hold//Just when you get on a roll//Here it goes, here it goes, here it goes again.”
7. Bills – Lunch Money Lewis
I first discovered this song because my best friend had it on a playlist to motivate her to get ready to go to a job she did not enjoy. Even if you love your job, work can get hard. Outside responsibilities can be a major motivator on the days when passion is dimmer than usual. At the end of the day, on some level we all work because we have bills and it can be comforting to have a reminder that other folks sometimes also struggle to make ends meet.
Most motivational lyric: “I got bills I gotta pay//So I’m gon’ work, work, work every day.”
8. Dream On – Aerosmith
Dream On is one of the most epic motivational rock songs for work. The lyrics say that life is hard and short, and you should seize the day and keep dreaming until your dreams come to fruition. As if the words were not aspirational enough, the vocals and guitars are even more stirring.
Any of your employees who can hit that haunting high note at the end deserves a raise.
Most motivational lyric: “Dream until the dream come true.”
9. Final Countdown – Europe
Final Countdown can provide teams with the last push they need to meet deadlines. The literal lyrics are about leaving Earth and exploring space, yet most listeners only pay attention to the catchy beat, famous riff, and exclamation of “it’s the final countdown!”
Most motivational lyric: “It’s the final countdown.” (Although, if being honest, the instrumentals are the most motivating part of the song.)
10. Whatever It Takes – Imagine Dragons
Whatever It Takes is one of the best songs about hard work and success. This tune oozes grit and determination. As the title suggests, the song is about enduring hard times and doing whatever it takes to succeed. The singer welcomes hurdles and maintains a sense of optimism. The song acknowledges that anyone who strives for greatness faces hardships, and the end result is worth the struggle.
Most motivational lyric: “Yeah, take me to the top, I’m ready for//Whatever it takes.”
11. Shake It Off – Taylor Swift
Shake It Off is the ultimate anthem for overcoming setbacks and keeping on keeping on. Taylor Swift urges listeners to ignore haters, be themselves, and keep trying. This song acts like an antidote to unfair criticism and reminds listeners that folks may talk no matter what you do, so you might as well do your best.
Most motivational lyric: “But I keep cruising//Can’t stop, won’t stop moving//It’s like I got this music in my mind//Saying it’s gonna be alright.”
12. Roll With It – Oasis
Roll With It is an anti-imposter syndrome song. Every word speaks to moving beyond self-doubt, taking action even if you lack confidence, and doing what you have to do. This song shows that everybody feels lost sometimes, and to find your way sometimes you have to keep moving.
Most motivational lyric: “You gotta roll with it//You gotta take your time//You gotta say what you say//Don’t let anybody get in your way.”
13. Keep Your Head Up – Andy Grammer
Keep Your Head Up is one of the cheeriest inspirational songs for work. This happy tune talks about riding out bad luck, learning not to worry, and facing challenges with hope and a positive attitude. The beat is uplifting and optimistic, and this sweet song reminds listeners that they can overcome any obstacle with humor, faith, and grit, and that all troubles end eventually.
Most motivational lyric: “I know it’s hard, know it’s hard//To remember sometimes//But you gotta keep your head up.”
14. Don’t Worry Be Happy – Bobby McFerrin
Sometimes, the only motivation workers need is a reminder to stress less and not take every situation so seriously. Don’t Worry Be Happy gives listeners permission to let go of anxiety and enjoy the moment. This happy tune insists that there may be troubles, but you can control your attitude and reaction to these struggles.
Most motivational lyric: “In every life we have some trouble//But when you worry you make it double//Don’t worry, be happy.”
15. We Will Rock You – Queen
We Will Rock You by Queen is one of the best motivational rock songs for work. The famous clap-stomp alone is enough to get employees fired up, and the declaration of “we will rock you” is a rallying cry for teamwork. This song has been chanted in sports stadiums for decades and is every bit as rousing in office settings as well.
Most motivational lyric: “We will, we will rock you.”
16. So Ambitious – Jay Z ft. Pharrell
So Ambitious is one of the best motivational rap songs for work. The song is a musical autobiography of Jay-Z’s journey to become one of the biggest names in modern music, and how he ignored the naysayers and focused on his goals. The lyrics encourage listeners to believe in themselves and use others’ doubts and criticisms as fuel to become greater.
Most motivational lyric: “Motivation for me is them telling me what I could not be.”
17. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough is a feel good anthem that provides an immediate confidence boost. When taken literally, the lyrics are about two lovers who cannot be kept apart because of their bond. However, the song can also serve as an ode to teamwork, as well as a promise that no task is impossible. Lyrics aside, the happy and hopeful beat is sure to instantly uplift employees.
Most motivational lyric: “‘Cause baby, there ain’t no mountain high enough//Ain’t no valley low enough//Ain’t no river wide enough.”
18. All Star – Smash Mouth
Beyond delivering a healthy dose of nostalgia to millenials, All Star by Smash Mouth provides a pick-me-up to workers in need of a quick pep talk. The song assures that even when life gets hard and folks underestimate you, you are still worthy and capable and there are adventures to be had. All Star insists that everyone has something to offer and that trying and exploring is half the fun.
Most motivational lyric: “And all that glitters is gold//Only shooting stars break the mold.”
19. Titanium – David Guetta ft Sia
Titanium is an ode to endurance and resilience. This is a song workers can play on bad days to remind themselves that they are stronger than they think and that they will survive the current crises. Sia insists that she can take anything the world can throw at her and keep going, and inspires listeners to feel similarly invulnerable.
Most motivational lyric: “You shoot me down, but I won’t fall//I am titanium.”
20. 9 to 5 – Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton may be critical of bad bosses and the corporate slog in “9-to-5,” yet this classic is not anti-work. In the latter half of the song, Dolly encourages listeners to embrace their own ambitions and build something great. This subtle shift implies that listeners merely have to pay their dues and bide their time until they can take control of their careers, at which point all the tiny work annoyances previously mentioned will pay off.
Most motivational lyric: “Well you got dreams and you know they matter//Be your own boss, climb your own ladder//That moment’s getting closer by the day.”
21. A Little Less Conversation – Elvis Presley
A Little Less Conversation is the perfect song for teams who are ready to move from dreaming or doing, or employees who need a reminder that results matter more than promises. This musical challenge spurs pros to take action, seize the moment, and prove themselves. If Elvis’s words fail to inspire momentum, then the upbeat tempo of the music is sure to do the trick.
Most motivational lyric: “Don’t procrastinate, don’t articulate.”
22. Started at the Bottom – Drake
Started at the Bottom is one of the more popular motivational rap songs for work. This tune offers a promise that humble beginnings can turn into inspiring endings. This song is the perfect music to help teams take stock of progress and celebrate growth. The lyrics may be on the repetitive side, however “look how far we’ve come” is often a message worth repeating.
Most motivational lyric: “Started from the bottom, now the whole team here.”
Here is a Spotify playlist of these songs.
Note that some of these songs have explicit lyrics (Drake, Jay-Z, Britney Spears) and you may want to swap out the songs for the clean versions if your office is more conservative!
Final Thoughts
Maintaining momentum throughout the workweeks and quarters can at times be tricky. This playlist pumps up staff and delivers a burst of musical motivation to lift morale, inspire action, and boost performance. When intrinsic drive dampens, breaking out the speakers and blasting these tunes might be the push your team needs to get excited about work again.
Next, check out this list of inspiring work quotes, this collection of quotes about hard work and success, and our team building dance guide.
Angela Robinson