Top Ten Most Inspirational Rock Songs

I chose these songs based on, obviously, how inspirational they are to me. I use the term inspirational to describe songs that make me feel glad, make me want to do something good, or help me carry on through the troubles of life.
The Top Ten
1 Don't Stop Believin' - Journey

I love that song! I love Journey overall. I think this is a really inspirational song. Wanna hear a story?

Okay, so I'm in a band in my school. I was at open rehearsal for Clarinet Day. Our instructors for Clarinet Day are Summer and Andrew. I was frustrated with the tonguing, so Andrew told me don't stop believin', like the song. So, me and Amanda (my friend) were all like I love that song! This was Friday, and I just love that moment! It's so inspirational!

The title just screams "inspirational." It's a well-known song that's almost impossible to dislike. Its well-written lyrics about persevering through the toughest of times are enough to make a man cry.

2 Dream On - Aerosmith

Dream on. A phrase repeated over and over by parents, teachers, and friends alike. Aerosmith took that phrase and created an amazingly inspirational and emotional work of art.

It has to be at number 1. I can't stop hearing it! Sing for the laughter, sing for the tear, sing with me now as if it's just for today. Maybe tomorrow the good Lord will take you away.

This song just lifts you up, and you can't help but feel warm inside when you listen to its amazing vocals and guitar. I love it.

3 Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) - Green Day

Well, it's what you play to people feeling down. Something unpredictable, but in the end, it's right.

Greatest acoustic song to sing to someone you love.

One of the best Green Day songs. A great goodbye song.

4 I Won't Back Down - Tom Petty
5 It's My Life - Bon Jovi

This should be in the top 10. This song describes how to pursue what our heart desires. Really inspirational.

6 We Are the Champions - Queen

When life pushes you down, you get up and keep going. We are the champions. One of the most powerful songs.

We are the champions, my friends.

Super inspirational for any sports teams!

7 Eye of the Tiger - Survivor

Just love this song still! Super inspirational, especially when watching with Rocky in the background! Makes me feel like I could do anything, as the lyrics can be taken so many ways, not just for sport competition but also for emotional 'rivals'. Love!

Although many would argue the placement of this song, this is my own opinion. That said, this song is freakin' awesome. Not many other songs make you feel like you can take on the whole world like this one does.

Whenever I listen to this song, I just imagine people running determinedly. This would be a great song to run to. It always makes me want to stand up and do something good with my life.

8 We're Not Gonna Take It - Twisted Sister

Don't let anyone push you around. This song makes me feel like I can stand up to anyone. If you don't feel like that after listening to this, then... I don't know. But you should feel like that.

9 Out In the Fields - Gary Moore & Phil Lynott
10 The Final Countdown - Europe

Come on, this is number 6? The tune is amazing, much better than the same boom boom pow of Queen's We Will Rock You. Awesome song, people.

This song inspires one to action and adventure. Plus, it's pretty freakin' awesome to rock out to.

The Contenders
11 I Want It All - Queen
12 Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin

How is that at only #8? It informs us that there are two paths we can take and that we can change the road we're on. It tells us to go our own way.

Awesome. I like the fact that Led Zeppelin made another motivational song! Just love it!

Anti-commercial message (though it has made them rather a lot of money).

13 Carry On Wayward Son - Kansas

This is the theme song to life itself and it literally is the embodiment of not just living a normal life, but a fantastically badass one where you never give up on anything because you're a badass. BOM.

It is truly amazing and captures the amazing embodiment of life. Fantastic!

I liked that one although I don't listen to this kind of music.

14 Free Bird - Lynyrd Skynyrd

Free Bird... From beginning to end, you can hear INSPIRING in those sweet solos. I want this to be played at my graduation, starting slowly, a dance, to end with everyone going wild.

Simply the best from the best band ever, listen to other songs like Cheatin' Woman and I Need You. Genius. I love Freebird. I will leave this world to that song. Ronnie, Steve, Cassie, and Dean, R.I.P.

It is the background music to American history. It touches everyone.

15 In the End - Linkin Park

Not just inspiring, but it throws light on the hard world out there. And especially after Chester's death, the song becomes more meaningful.

Linkin Park has saved me from some really dark times. If you listen to their lyrics, they mostly convey the bad things in life and overcoming them.

When I heard this song, then I got a lot of powers. This is not a song, it's one of the mantras.

16 Beautiful Day - U2

It's really an awesome song. Refreshes me every time I hear it. Heals a broken heart, soothes over skewed broken wounds.

This should be number 1. Probably the most decorated song ever.

17 We Will Rock You - Queen

Sets my blood on fire! Be it any situation, it casts its charm on me every time I hear it. Not to mention, Queen provides positive music to my ears.

This is a classic song played at sports stadiums all over the country. No other song gets a person so fired up for a sports game.

Come on, it's Queen. I don't even care about the song, you know. This inspiration comes from Queen, not the song. And let's face it, every person in this world should know this song because it speaks to everyone. Well, thanks Queen for all these beautiful songs.

18 You're the Voice - John Farnham

It's an anti-war song, but in a broader sense, it's a make your voice heard message. Wake up to your own power.

19 Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana

This song is an ultimate piece of beauty that can instantly lift your mood and make you go get things done in your life!

20 Art of Life - X Japan

This song should be within the top 10. The only reason it isn't is because it is by a Japanese band, X Japan. People, don't be so narrow-minded. I have listened to bands higher up in the list, like Linkin Park, Green Day, and Queen. But take my words: Art of Life is the most epic song I have come across.

It is 29 minutes of pure epicness, with an insane 9-minute piano solo, 15 minutes of crazy guitar solos, blazing drums, and vocals. If you say that the song is too long, all I can say is I feel sorry for you - for not having enough musical maturity.

21 Freewill - Rush
22 Never Too Late - Three Days Grace

It's not too late. It's never too late.

In this world, where people always go on telling you it is too late, this song in the corner of your heart gives the hope that no, it's not too late. It's never too late. Should be among the top 10.

It's never too late to rise above the demons that bring you down.

I think this song is really great, and I love this band. I think it inspires a lot of change.

23 Come Sail Away - Styx

This song is rumored to be about being abducted by aliens. I personally like to think of it as a song about adventures and dreams. What's more inspirational than adventures and dreams (or being abducted by aliens)?

It starts out very mellow and POW... it becomes a power ballad. Absolutely love it.

24 Land of the Free - Gamma Ray
25 Juke Box Hero - Foreigner

Hard to top Don't Stop Believin', but how is this not in the top 10? Every time I hear this song, I feel like I can do pretty much anything. Just one guitar...

From nothing to a big star. This song really inspires you to action.

8Load More
PSearch List