A list of 23 must-have songs to get business-minded professionals in an unstoppable mindset!
Most of my blog posts are about lead generation, SEO, social media or some other helpful digital marketing tidbit, but I think that mindset is everything for business owners and working professionals, so today, I wanna share my favorite mindset correction device: music.
I think we all have songs that pump us up mentally, or cheer us on when we need it. Motivational music is the quickest way for me to go from slacking off to chewing up my competition! For entrepreneurs and small business owners, I think it’s important to have YOUR motivational songs organized into a motivational music playlist so you can just push PLAY anytime you need to get your head in the game or correct your mood or attitude. This playlist also works to pick me up after a bad day, and gets me fired up when I have a ton of work piled on me.
The contents of my motivational music playlist might surprise some; I have a problem with my mindset not being TOUGH enough, so this playlist is pretty rough-and-tumble. My playlist is called the Wake Up, Kick Ass, Repeat playlist, and I want to share it with you! I LOVE to add to my playlist, so PLEASE feel free to tell me what songs get you PUMPED!
1. We Won’t Give Up by The Afters
This is sort of a rock anthem that is somewhat generic, but the lyrics get me going every time. I think this is actually a Christian rock group, so no worries of bad lyrics. Safe to listen to while dropping off the kids at soccer practice haha!
Genre: Alternative Rock
Favorite Lyrics: With the clock running down / We’re gonna leave our fears and failures all behind / This is our time / We’ll reach till we touch the sky
2. Typical by MuteMath
I love the guitar riffs in this song, and the vocals are so smooth too. The tune makes me reflective, forcing me to think about the steps I’ve taken to get where I am now, and how to get to the next level.
Genre: Alternative Rock
Favorite Lyrics: How long should it take somebody / Before they can be someone? / ‘Cause I know there’s got to be another level / Somewhere closer to the other side / And I’m feeling like it’s now or never / Can I break the spell of the typical?
3. Move By Yourself by Donavon Frankenreiter
This song has a really fun old-school beat and sound, and I love pretty much everything Brushfire Records puts out (this is the record label that houses Jack Johnson, G. Love, Zach Gill, and so many other awesome surfer musicians), so this one easily makes the cut.
Genre: Alternative Rock? Surfer Rock? Not sure!
Favorite Lyrics: I remember those times / When they said I couldn’t make it (…) And then a friend said / Don’t stop doing what you believe in / Don’t let them put you on a shelf / You’ve got to move by yourself
4. More Than Fine by Switchfoot
One of my favorites for years! This one got me through college, so it’s a little old, but still totally aligns me with my ideals and reminds me of why I do what I do.
Genre: Acoustic Rock (with some amps in the chorus)
Favorite Lyrics: I want more than just a good time / I want more than just ok / I’m not giving up / not giving up now
5. Lose Yourself by Eminem
WARNING: Explicit Lyrics
I’m not always a rap fan, but when I am, it’s because I need to light a fire in my motivation. This song will do it every time!
Genre: Rap
Favorite Lyrics: Success is my only mother-f*&$ng option, failure’s not.
6. Headstrong by Trapt
WARNING: Explicit Lyrics
Here’s an older song that still lights a fire in me, and I dedicate it lovingly to my competitors every time I sing it. You should too!
Genre: Hard Rock
Favorite Lyrics: Your first impression’s got to be your very best / I see you’re full of $*#t and that’s alright (…) Back off, I’ll take you on / Headstrong, I’ll take on anyone
7. You Get What You Give by New Radicals
WARNING: Explicit Lyrics
This one is something I think most people have jammed to at one point or another, it was on the radio for several years. But give it another shot and listen to the lyrics; I think it speaks to those of us working weekends.
Genre: Adult Contemporary/Alternative Rock
Favorite Lyrics: But when the night is falling / You cannot find the light / If you feel your dreams are dying / Hold tight / You’ve got the music in you / Don’t let go / You’ve got the music in you (…) This whole damn world can fall apart / You’ll be okay, follow your heart
8. Get Through This by Art of Dying
WARNING: Explicit Lyrics
When the going gets tough, the tough put in their headphones and turn the volume up. There’s not a lot of meat and potatoes to this song, but the chant-like chorus gets stuck in your head, and in this case, it’s a good thing to have stuck in your head.
Genre: Hard Rock
Favorite Lyrics: If I can get through this, I can get through anything.
9. Comeback by Redlight King
One to live by! All our businesses have ups and downs, some of them we can’t control. As the saying goes, if you don’t stumble and fall, then you’re not trying hard enough, right? So after your stumble, this helps you with your next comeback.
Genre: Hard Rock
Favorite Lyrics: I’ve been down this road before / Where the dead ends are / It rains and it pours (…) I know how it feels when you have to start again (…) But they’ll see / I’m gonna make a comeback / I’m gonna dig six feet up tonight (…) And I won’t look back / I’m gonna pick my spot / Take my shot / Swallow my pride / And risk it all
10. Salute Your Solution by Raconteurs
WARNING: Explicit Lyrics Maybe?
Okay, honestly, I can’t understand half the $*#t coming out of this guy’s mouth, but the parts that I can understand, I totally dig.
Genre: Hard Rock
Favorite Lyrics: And I got what I got all despite you / And I get what I get just to spite you
11. The Fighter by Gym Class Heroes
WARNING: Mild Lyrics
You probably know this song, and I’ll admit that some parts are a little cheesy, but come on, you know it inspires you!
Genre: Soft Rock/Rap Mixture
Favorite Lyrics: Half the population’s just waiting to see me fail / Yeah right, you’re better off trying to freeze hell (…) Text book version of the kid going nowhere fast / And now I’m yelling kiss my a$$
12. Movin’ Out by Billy Joel
If you were born prior to 1980, you know this one! If you were born after 1980, your homework for tonight is to GET TO KNOW BILLY JOEL! I was born way after 1980, but fortunately I have some awesome parents who taught me good music at an early age… and this song is my anthem when I think about my time working in corporate America!
Genre: Soft Rock/Adult Contemporary
Favorite Lyrics: You can pay Uncle Sam with the overtime / Is that all you get for your money? / If that’s what you have in mind / And that’s what you’re all about / Good luck movin’ up / Cause I’m movin’ OUT!
13. My Life by Billy Joel
Sorry to keep throwing oldies at the whippersnappers who want more hard rock, but this one deserves its place on my motivational music playlist. There’s not an entrepreneur out there who hasn’t had someone try to tell them what to do. If you’re an entrepreneur and you don’t love this song, then I’m out of ideas for you!
Genre: Soft Rock/Adult Contemporary
Favorite Lyrics: I don’t need you to worry for me cause I’m alright / I don’t want you to tell me it’s time to come home / I don’t care what you say anymore this is my life / Go ahead with your own life leave me alone
14. Redemption by Redlight King
Okay Realtors, listen up. I swear, every single word of this song was written for us and how we feel about Zillow and Trulia. My “favorite lyrics” for this one is the entire song, but I’ll try to keep it short.
Genre: Hard Rock
Favorite Lyrics: They sell us torches, and their the ones who made it dark (…) They send the beast just to push us around / We might exist with one foot in the grave / This life ain’t over yet we still got something to say (…) They took what you had / Now go take it back
15. Brain Stew by Green Day
WARNING: Explicit Lyrics (come on, it’s Green Day, you’re not surprised)
This song may or may not be about drugs. I’m honestly not sure. But this is how I feel when I’ve been in front of my computer for 72 hours straight, but I’ve just got to finish this project… and I need to make it just a few more hours…
Genre: Hard Rock
Favorite Lyrics: My mind is set on overdrive / The clock is laughing in my face / A crooked spine / My senses dulled / Passed the point of delirium / I’m on my own, here we go
16. Gold by Sir Sly
WARNING: Explicit Lyrics
I can’t say for sure what the heck this song is actually about, but I catch certain lyrics here and there that just motivate me to work harder; as an added bonus, the tune is very different and catchy.
Genre: Alternative Rock
Favorite Lyrics: My mouth is made of metal / Pocket full of yellow / Pocket full of gold / I hope you find your dream / Darling never settle / Chasing down the devil / Chasing down the gods / And I hope you find your dream
17. Eyes on Fire by Blue Foundation (I prefer the Zeds Dead Remix)
WARNING: Violent Lyrics
Okay before you listen to this and think I’m a psycho-killer, remember what I said earlier about how I am too soft and I often need to harden my mindset? Well, this song does a good job of that. It gives me that feeling of being able to conquer my competitors… but that doesn’t mean that I actually want to harm anyone so just calm down. I think this song is metaphorical anyway, but this is the internet and everybody goes next-level so there ya go.
Genre: Electronic/Dub (depends on what version you get)
Favorite Lyrics: And just in time / In the right place / Suddenly I will play my ace (…) Eyes on fire / Your spine is ablaze / Felling any foe with my gaze / Steadily emerging with grace
18. Bring ‘Em Down by Lostprophets
Great guitar riffs, and lyrics that really highlight the ups and downs of business and entrepreneur life. This one gets me moving from the inside out.
Genre: Alternative Rock
Favorite Lyrics: One chance with life is all you get / So pick your sides and place your bets / Cause you know we’ve been here before / Won every time but who’s keeping score? / Still kicking, still alive / We built this to survive / Everyday is a blessing / Here we go again!
19. Counting Stars by OneRepublic
I adore this group, and I truly think that writer and singer Ryan Tedder probably meant this as a love song, but I interpret it in my own twisted way. I often sing this song to/for my husband, who supports me all the time and lets me live my entrepreneurial dream, even though secretly he might think I’m off my rocker! I think it’ll pay off for us in the future, and this song embodies that, and makes me work that much harder to reach our goals.
Genre: Soft Rock / Adult Contemporary / Alternative Rock
Favorite Lyrics: Lately I’ve been, I’ve been losing sleep / Dreaming about the things that we could be / But baby, I’ve been, I’ve been prayin’ hard / Said no more counting dollars / We’ll be counting stars (…) I feel the love / And I feel it burn / Down this river every turn / Hope is our four letter word / Make that money / Watch it burn
20. One For The Money by Escape The Fate
WARNING: Explicit Lyrics
Great drums and guitars push this song into my list, and even though the lyrics aren’t very deep, this one is good for pumping myself up before starting a big project. For you, it might be great to pump you up before meeting with a new client that you really want to work with.
Genre: Hard Rock
Favorite Lyrics: Cause it’s one for the money / Two, cause two is for the show / Then three, three get ready / Are you ready mother-f*$#ers? / Are you ready? / Let’s go!
21. Make The Money by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis
WARNING: Explicit Lyrics
This one actually brings a tear to my eye, and it will work to either bring you up when you’re feeling down, or kick you down a notch or two when your ego is just too big.
Genre: Rap
Favorite Lyrics: Make the money, don’t let the money make you / Change the game, don’t let the game change you
22. Not Giving In by Rudimental
This song is another one that has that great old-school feel to it, but it really pumps things up with an electronic edge and a chorus that roots itself in your head. I love everything about this song, from the vocals and lyrics to the musical elements and rhythms. This is a winner for this list, and I can’t imagine anyone not liking it, no matter what genre you’re into.
Genre: Alternative Electronic Anthem Soft Rock (yeah, I made that up, just listen to the song!)
Favorite Lyrics: Well, it’s time to start the show / Lost my heart and lost my soul / Now it’s the time that you won’t know / Lost my mind and lost my goal. (…) This time, I’m gonna be stronger / I’m not giving in.
23. Come With Me Now by KONGOS
This beat! Those funky instruments! I just love it!
Genre: Alternative Rock
Favorite Lyrics: I think with my heart and I move with my head / I open my mouth and it’s something I’ve read / I stood at this door before, I’m told / But a part of me knows that I’m growing too old
That’s all I have! I know I’m missing some good ones – so please tell me! What’s on YOUR motivational music playlist?
