15 Classic Songs About Hope and Perseverance
While all of us would like for life to be ideal and positive all the time, that, unfortunately, is never the case due to the everyday obstacles we have to face. However, we must not lose hope, for when hope is lost, everything is lost.
Music is a great way to rejuvenate your mind, body, and spirit. It will lift your mood considerably and give you the will to get through the day. Here’s a compilation of songs about hope from various genres that can get you through your troubles.
Christian Songs About Hope
#1. Holy Water by We the Kingdom
This song is about the power of forgiveness and what it truly means to be forgiven by God. “Holy Water” is the highest-charting song of We The Kingdom’s career and was nominated for the GMA Dove Awards in 2020.
In the song, the band sings about God’s forgiveness of our mortal sins being a sign of hope that gives us the willpower to wake up every day and keep going. The hope of being changed by the Spirit of God is reflected in this song.
#2. Untitled Hymn by Chris Rice
The song is featured in the album Untitled Hymn: A Collection of Hymns released in 2019 by Chris Rice.
The song celebrates how Jesus will carry away your burdens and clear your sins with his blood. You’re thus given the opportunity of a do-over as a newborn would, and Jesus is ready to support you through any downfall.
Chris Rice, through this song, explains how every waking moment of your life can be shared with Jesus.
#3. Awake My Soul by Hillsong Worship
Grammy Award-winning band Hillsong Worship released the song “Awake My Soul” as a part of their album Awake.
The song sings Jesus’ praise out loud and talks about wanting Jesus to hear your faith and clear your life of any obstacles that worry you. It is about the hope that He will clear a path for growth and love.
#4. Resurrecting by Elevation Worship
Performed by contemporary worship band Elevation Worship, this song was written by Chris Brown, Steven Furtick, Wade Joye, Matthews Ntlele, and Mack Brock.
“Resurrecting” is a song about the return of Jesus from dying for our sins in a glorious manner. His return brings the world hope for tomorrow and forever. In His name, those with faith will rise just as he did.
#5. Graves Into Gardens by Elevation Worship
The song was inspired by a Bible passage found in 2 Kings 13. The prophet Elisha dies and is buried in a grave. When two men attempt to bury a man near him, the interruption of rogue raiders leaves the men no choice but to fling the man’s body into Elisha’s grave. The man miraculously springs up to life the moment his body touches Elisha’s bones.
Thus, “Graves Into Gardens” sings praise about how believing in the power of God gives us hope as he is capable of bringing things back to life.
Songs About Hope for The Future
#6. Mama Said Knock You Out by LL Cool J
Released in 1990, this song won LL Cool J the Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance and the MTV Video Music Award for Best Rap Video.
“Mama Said Knock You Out” was inspired by his grandmother, who gave him hope when he was feeling low about his career. He sings about how he’s always been in the rap scene and will continue to do so for years to come.
#7. Never Give Up the Fight by Avant
This 2010 hit by Avant is a plea to live in the moment and love life.
He urges people to never give up and hold on to their faith, hoping for a life in paradise (heaven). Acknowledging how hard it can be to wade through life, he still talks about persisting, never giving up, and marching towards the win.
#8. Let It Be by The Beatles
Performed by the Beatles, “Let It Be” was surprisingly not intended as a religious song. Paul McCartney talks about how his mom came into his dream while he was living life on a dangerous fast lane and comforted him that all would be okay.
This dream gave him immense hope and relief, and he ended up writing the song.
#9. Stronger by Kanye West
Kanye West released “Stronger” as a part of his album Graduation in 2007.
In the song, Kanye talks about how “what doesn’t kill him make him stronger.” To be strong is his way of freeing himself from the shackles of his mistakes. Inspired by Nietzsche, he sings that strength brings him hope.
#10. Get Up Stand Up by Bob Marley
Bob Marley released this song as part of his album Burnin’ in 1973, inspired by his life in Jamaica fighting for their Rastafarian religion.
The Jamaican singer-songwriter has been a strong political voice through his music in the reggae genre. Believing that we hold the power to our liberation, Marley urges people to fight for their rights in this song.
Songs About Losing Hope
#11. Mad World by Gary Jules
Originally released in 1982 by Tears for Fears, the song was covered by Gary Jules for the film Donnie Darko.
“Mad World” is said to have been influenced by the musings of psychologist Arthur Janov. He wrote the book Primal Scream about how repressed pain can be dealt with by re-experienced certain incidents and properly expressing your pain.
The song talks about how one can dream of intense experiences like death to help release the pain you carry.
#12. Bad Reputation by Freddy Johnson
This song is Freddy’s best hit and has been featured in numerous films through the years.
“Bad Reputation” is a ballad of lament that he isn’t worth his beloved’s affection, telling them that their kindness would only be a waste of time. He says that he would give them everything, except he has nothing to offer.
#13. Girl From the North Country by Bob Dylan & Johnny Cash
Originally released in 1963 and re-recorded as a duet in 1969 with Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan sings about how this girl in the north country was once his true love.
He asks people to check on her for him, if her hair still flows long and whether she’s kept herself warm. The song has a lonely, broken tone to it, emphasizing how Dylan has lost hope about whether she remembers him at all.
#14. Hurt by Nine Inch Nails/Trent Reznor
“Hurt” is a bleak song that Trent Reznor wrote while he was battling intense depression. The song was part of Nine Inch Nails’ album The Downward Spiral released in 1994.
The song referenced self-harm as the singer croons that pain is the only thing he is able to properly feel. Hurt was such an emotional rollercoaster that it was covered by the likes of Leona Lewis and Johnny Cash.
#15. Last Goodbye by Jeff Buckley
The most commercially successful song of Jeff Buckley in the US, “Last Goodbye” is what it exactly claims to be — a final farewell to the singer’s beloved.
In the song, he laments about how he is losing them. He is so angry that they have reached a painful end, and he believes that they truly did not know each other at all.
A Few Parting Words
No one deserves to live life with dread for their tomorrow.
Liven up your mood with these songs about hope. Remember, you are never alone and there is always a reason to keep fighting the fight!