Sometimes you can’t motivate yourself to do anything other than sit on the couch every Sunday and watch every single Harry Potter movie for the entire day. When it seems like all hope is lost, here are a list of some songs that can pump you up to do just about anything.
1. "Remember the Name" -- Fort Minor
My high school soccer game warm-ups always began with this song. It made me feel like I could take on the world. I’d eye the other team’s players and dare them to come at me. A ton of adrenaline built up as soon as Fort Minor and his styles of beyond rapped about “10 percent luck, 20 percent skill, 15 percent concentrated power of will.”
2. "Hall of Fame" -- The Script ft. will.i.am
This is my absolute favorite song to run to (that is when and if I ever do run). If I am ever feeling tired and unable to take another step, I play this song and I swear I find a whole new source of energy to continue. Plus, the music video featuring a deaf ballerina and a bullied boxer who both defy the odds stacked against them is more than motivational—it’s inspirational.
3. "Superheroes" -- The Script
The Script doesn’t run short of inspirational songs. "Superheroes" is a newer one that I’ve added to my playlist. The beat takes a little time to build but the lyrics get me up and moving every time I hear them, and the chorus is energetic and really catchy.
4. "The Fighter" -- Gym Class Heroes ft. Ryan Tedder
So, this song was actually inspired by and written for Olympic USA gymnast John Orozco. Orozco (nicknamed “The Fighter”) is featured in the song’s music video. Watching his story and his fight to his success makes me think that if he can do all that, I can at least go on a mile run, or even finish an essay. Plus, the lyrics are awesome. My personal favorite? “And I’ll be in your corner like Mick [think the movie Rocky], baby, ‘til the end or when you hear a song from that big lady [that phrase: until the fat lady sings].” Not only are the lyrics inspirational but they’re clever!
5. "Till I Collapse" -- Eminem
I mean, what else can I say about this song except, “I’m ready to go sign up for a P90X class right now.”
6. "Lose Yourself" -- Eminem
Such a classic song—I just want to take a moment to thank Eminem for defying all the odds against him and overcoming all his struggles so he could motivate me with his numerous songs to stop binge-watching Grey’s Anatomy and go for a high-intense workout at my school’s gym instead.
7. "I Gotta Feeling" -- The Black Eyed Peas
This song never seems to get old. There is nothing like Fergie, will.i.am, and whoever those other two guys in the band are pumping me up for whatever I’m about to do. Plus, that last verse when they list off the days of the week is both educational and catchy.
8. "All the Above" -- Maino ft. T-Pain
Okay, put T-Pain in anything during 2009, and you’re going to have an instant hit. I suggest this song for a running playlist too. It has a great beat like any song of the time. In fact, I love this song so much, I can’t help but wish Maino wasn’t such a one-hit-wonder kind of artist.