[2026] Popular pump-up songs in the U.S.: A roundup of Western music to boost motivation

Lose YourselfNEW!Eminem

Eminem – Lose Yourself

This is the work by hip-hop icon Eminem that gives you a push when it matters most.

The tense atmosphere built by the piano and guitar, and the passionate rap urging you to seize your one shot, stoke your inner fighting spirit the more you listen.

Created as the theme song for his 2002 starring film 8 Mile, the track achieved the remarkable feat of becoming the first rap song to win the Academy Award for Best Original Song.

Its powerful message is perfect for moments when you want to push yourself to the limit—before an important presentation or in the middle of a grueling workout.

It’s a must-listen for anyone turning pressure into power and charging toward their goals.

Fight SongNEW!Rachel Platten

Rachel Platten – Fight Song (Official Video)

This is an anthem infused with a strong will to keep believing in yourself and fighting, even if no one else believes in you.

Born from the anxieties Rachel Platten felt during more than a decade of working her way up, this song turns those feelings into strength and powerfully pushes listeners forward.

Released as a single in February 2015, it’s also included on the album Wildfire.

It was featured in a Ford TV commercial and used as a campaign song in the 2016 U.S.

presidential election.

It’s perfect for times when work isn’t going well or when you need the courage to take a new step.

It will fill you with strength from the bottom of your heart and give you the energy to look ahead.

It’s My LifeNEW!Bon Jovi

Bon Jovi – It’s My Life (Official Music Video)

A powerful rock anthem brimming with the determination to carve out one’s own life.

It’s included on Bon Jovi’s 2000 album Crush, and became a song that symbolizes the band’s new golden era.

The talk box-driven guitar sound by Richie Sambora and references to a couple from their earlier classics have electrified everyone from longtime fans to a new generation.

Nominated at the 43rd Grammy Awards, the track has continued to be loved across eras, even being reinterpreted in recent years as the theme for Commonwealth Bank’s 2025 campaign.

It’s the perfect song to listen to at a make-or-break moment or when you need to fire yourself up—it’s sure to give you that push you need!

I Will SurviveNEW!Gloria Gaynor

Gloria Gaynor – I Will Survive

Gloria Gaynor, the diva who symbolizes the golden age of disco.

Here we introduce her single released in October 1978, the masterpiece “I Will Survive,” which became a beloved anthem around the world.

This song, which sings of overcoming the sorrow of heartbreak and choosing to live with strength, won the Grammy Award for Best Disco Recording in 1980.

Featured in numerous works, including the film “Priscilla,” the track carries added power from the fact that Gaynor was wearing a corset after spinal surgery during the recording.

Her voice, as if defying adversity, is filled with a persuasive force that shakes the listener’s soul.

If you listen when you’re losing confidence or need to rally yourself at night, it will surely give you the energy to face tomorrow.

RoarNEW!Katy Perry

Katy Perry – Roar

Katy Perry, the American singer-songwriter dubbed the “Princess of Pop,” helped lead the music scene of the 2010s.

This song, known as the lead single from her 2013 album PRISM, is a classic that triumphantly reached No.

1 on the U.S.

charts.

As symbolized by its music video, where she toughens up and awakens in the jungle, its message about overcoming shyness and raising your voice lights a fire in listeners’ hearts.

Its powerful sound—so strong it’s used at sports events like the NFL—is perfect for those make-or-break moments.

When you want to believe in yourself and move forward, it’s sure to give you a push.

Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)NEW!Kelly Clarkson

Kelly Clarkson – Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) [Official Video]

Kelly Clarkson is an American singer-songwriter who launched her career as the winner of the first season of American Idol.

Her song Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You), which showcases her powerful vocals, continues to be loved as an anthem that gives listeners courage.

Based on Nietzsche’s famous saying, the lyrics depict becoming stronger through overcoming heartbreak and hardship, resonating with many people.

Included on the album Stronger and released as a single in January 2012, the track became a massive hit, spending three consecutive weeks at No.

1 on the U.S.

charts.

If you listen to it when you want to fire yourself up or feel more positive, it’s sure to fill you with energy—so be sure to check it out.

Born This WayNEW!Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga – Born This Way (Official Music Video)

Lady Gaga, who commands immense support as a global pop icon.

Her 2011 single “Born This Way” is a classic that powerfully sings about the importance of loving yourself just as you are.

Its sound—merging an electronic beat with powerful vocals—fills you with energy just by listening.

The track was a hit as the lead single from the album of the same name, Born This Way, and it also garnered attention for being featured in the popular TV show Glee.

The message that everyone is beautiful as they are, regardless of their background or identity, truly resonates.

Give it a listen when you’re losing confidence or need one more push.

It will give you the courage to believe in yourself and move forward.