Need some new music choices to support and motivate you on your journey in the business world? We asked entrepreneurs to share their favorite songs that inspire them the most. In nearly every genre, from rock and rap to country and classical, here are 50 songs that entrepreneurs love.
1. "I Hope You Dance" by Lee Ann Womack
"On difficult days, the song I blast from my speakers is 'I Hope You Dance' by Lee Ann Womack. It reminds me that bravery is an option I choose, in business and in life. The lyrics 'Never settle for the path of least resistance / Livin' might mean taking chances, but they're worth takin'' inspire me to take the next step, reach out to the next person, keep trying to be heard over the noise that surrounds us." – Hope Saidel, president, Golly Gear
2. "My Way" by Frank Sinatra
"I cannot think of a song that fires me up and encourages me to dig deeper more than Frank Sinatra's 'My Way.' As entrepreneurs, sometimes we bite off more than we can chew. We have regrets, but too few to mention, as we are people who are willing to take risks and put ourselves out there. I guess the ending is most appropriate. 'To think I did all that / And may I say, not in a shy way / Oh, no. Oh, no, not me / I did it my way.' There's not much more of an entrepreneur-spirited line than that." – Julie Busha, CEO, Slawsa
3. "The Distance" by Cake
"One song that really inspires me, and which is still on my workout playlist, is 'Going the Distance' by Cake. I've always liked the song, but I've identified with it more and more as I've really learned what it is to be an entrepreneur over the last four years. I'm sure some teams get lucky quickly, but usually endurance and determination are the biggest keys to success. Entrepreneurship is usually no trophies, no flowers, no flashbulbs, no wine. But going the distance in the face of adversity will eventually lead to reward." – Tadd Spering, founder and CEO, Stylinity
4. "Never Give Up on a Good Thing" by George Benson
"Being an entrepreneur means being all in, every day, despite the odds, because the reward is worth the effort. One song that reminds me to literally never give up is George Benson's 'Never Give Up on a Good Thing.'" – Alison O'Brien, CEO and co-founder, JWalking Designs
5. "Vienna" by Billy Joel
"It's from one of the greatest albums ever, but was a B-side track, so it's an underdog song to begin with. And I feel, as an entrepreneur, you are playing the role of underdog a lot against bigger, more established companies. Also, the song is about remembering to enjoy the journey that is life and not getting burnt out, and that, to me, is the essence of being an entrepreneur." – Scott Paladini, founder, Bear Mattress
6. "What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong
"Whenever my twice-daily dose of coffee runs out and all my daily stress catches up to me, I like to listen to 'What a Wonderful World' by Louis Armstrong. It has such a beautiful message and reminds me why I decided to start my company in the first place: to spread positivity to everyone's day. It inspires me to continue doing what I love, no matter how hard it can be at times. The world is a beautiful place, as Mr. Armstrong says, and this song reminds me of that when I need it most." – Arianna DiMatteo, owner, Aria Bella Candles
7. "9 to 5" by Dolly Parton
"The song that inspires me is '9 to 5' by Dolly Parton. It's a great, upbeat song, [and it] makes me laugh. I pour myself a cup of ambition – aka coffee – and get to work." – Kelly Martin, president, Promotional Bridge
8. "Supergirl" by Anna Naklab
"A song that inspires me is 'Supergirl' by Anna Naklab. I always listen to it, and I think it's the mental visualization of being a 'supergirl' and having strength to continue. I do think the song is more about love in some parts, but it's very melodic and her voice is beautiful. I think this song is very inspiring, especially for young women entrepreneurs." – Julia Avalon, founder, Avalon Medical Spa
9. "Let It Go, Let It Flow" by Dave Mason
"The song that inspires me the most is 'Let It Go, Let It Flow' by Dave Mason. There are too many times when I am doing everyone else's decision-making for them, because they are not doing it for themselves. It cuts into my day, my work and my thought patterns. When it gets too much, I blast that song at full volume and remind everyone else that they have to do it, and I have to let it go. Let them make the choices. Let the ideas flow from someone else. They always get my point." – Roberta Perry, president and owner, ScrubzBody
10. "Work Bitch" by Britney Spears
"I've been an entrepreneur for over five years now, and Britney Spears' 'Work Bitch' is most definitely my inspirational jam. The beat pumps me up, and the message is clear: If you want results, you've got to hustle, in life, in love and most certainly in business." – Petrina Hamm, owner, Petrina Hamm Fitness
11. "Drive" by Incubus
"As an entrepreneur, my most inspiring song is 'Drive' by the group Incubus. The lyrics are all about being independent, facing uncertainty, fearing to take action, going along with the crowd or doing what you're meant to do." – Francesca Montillo, founder and owner, Lazy Italian Culinary Adventures
12. "In the Air Tonight" by Phil Collins
"The song that inspires me is Phil Collins' 'In the Air Tonight.' The beat of this song just inspires me to push and never give up. I listen to it when I feel like giving up on a project or am unmotivated to do something that I am supposed to do." – Zondra Wilson, founder and CEO, Blu Skin Care
13. "Paris" by Erica Chase
"I start the day off right by listening to a short playlist of inspiring songs that power my day. My current favorite is 'Paris' by Erica Chase. It's powerful, personal, heartfelt and helps me take on the day." – Jaimie Hilfiger, co-founder, The Jaimie Hilfiger Collection by La Curcio
14. "I Smile" by Kirk Franklin
"A song that inspires me is 'I Smile' by Kirk Franklin, because owning a business has its successful and challenging moments. Even when I feel like giving up or question why I started my business, I am reminded to smile and keep moving forward when I listen to [that song]." – Ashley Hill, CEO, College Prep Ready
15. "Dreams" by Fleetwood Mac
"Fleetwood Mac's 'Dreams' inspires me because it's an oldie that [reminds me of] my past, when I set goals that were dreams, and today my dreams are a reality as a business owner." – Kelley Kitley, owner and therapist, Serendipitous Psychotherapy
16. "All of the Above" by Maino ft. T-Pain
"I have go-to rally songs for many events in my life, from business to marathon training. As an entrepreneur, my inspiration song for several years has been 'All of the Above' by Maino featuring T-Pain. I identify with nearly every line and lyric – and who doesn't love an underdog story?" – Jessica Mehta, owner, https://www.businessnewsdaily.com]
17. "Children" by Robert Miles
"It's a trance song with no lyrics. It has so much energy, and it gets me going and motivated. I have it as my ringtone as well." – K.B. Lee, founder and CEO, Ever Bamboo
18. "Believe" by Cher
"I've been a dating and relationship coach for over eight years, and one of the songs that keeps me inspired and also helps inspire my clients is 'Believe' by Cher. I like the themes she includes: taking care of yourself by leaving a relationship that isn't good for you, knowing you qualify for a relationship that's so much better [and] believing you can finally have a great relationship." – Christine Baumgartner, owner, The Perfect Catch
19. "Just Fine" by Mary J. Blige
"My hype song is 'Just Fine' by Mary J. Blige. It puts me in the right state of mind, helps me not stress about the dumb crap and dance past the stupid people. It always reminds me that I am my own compass and that, at the end of the day, I have to trust my instincts. Sometimes I'm right. Sometimes I'm wrong. But either way, I go with my gut." – Joy Donnell, CEO and editor-in-chief, Vanichi Magazine (Parajin Media Corp)
20. "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus
"Miley Cyrus' 'The Climb' inspires me to look past my own troubles and seek and celebrate everyday women [who] are pulling up their bootstraps and putting one foot in front of the other, no matter the crap they are standing waist-deep in, and share their stories with the world." – Donna Marie Post, founder, I Admire U
21. "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor
"'I Will Survive' by Gloria Gaynor inspires me because it reminds me that even in the hardest of times, you have to believe in yourself and your ability to get through whatever difficulties are in your path." – Marianne O'Connor, CEO, Sterling Communications
22. "You Gotta Be" by Des'ree
"'You Gotta Be' by Des'ree is my entrepreneurial anthem. The lyrics seem to sum up what being an entrepreneur means to me. When I left my job to pursue my private speech practice full time, this was part of the playlist I created of songs to drive me." – Jann Fujimoto, speech therapist and owner, SpeechWorks
23. "Bathtime in Clerkenwell" by The Real Tuesday Weld
"'Bathtime in Clerkenwell' by The Real Tuesday Weld, because it is simply impossible to be anything but giddy while listening to it, no matter what kind of day you're having." – Maria Rapetskaya, founder and creative director, Undefined Creative
24. "Weeping" by Vusi Mahlasela, written by Dan Heymann
"My inspirational song comes from my birthplace of South Africa. It's called 'Weeping,' and it's not only the music, but also the message that inspires me as an entrepreneur. I often play it in my car, and I have it on my running mix too. My favorite recording of it is by Vusi Mahlasela, but it was written by Dan Heymann, and was a commentary and protest against the apartheid government and the 1985 state of emergency in South Africa." – Alexia Bregman, co-founder, Vuka
25. "Exactly" by Amy Steinberg
"A song that totally inspires me and my business is 'Exactly' by Amy Steinberg. Not only does the song totally rock all aspects of my life, [but] it [also] inspires and reminds me that I have an amazing purpose in life, and that purpose is helping people through the work I do in my business. No matter how frustrated I may get at times with my business, I still know this is exactly what I need to be doing." – Dina Garcia, owner, Vida Nutrition
26. "Survivor" by Destiny's Child
"The song that inspires me is 'Survivor' by Destiny's Child. Owning a business can be tough, with many highs and lows. Only the strong survive, and when you do, it is the most rewarding feeling, knowing that you did not give up." – Tosi Ufodike, founder and CEO, HairYum
27. "With My Own Two Hands" by Jack Johnson
"The song speaks to the notion that we can change the world with our own two hands, but we have to take action. We can make the world better, brighter and safer if we all take accountability for the energy we put into the world. My career and purpose for being is to inspire people to create the life they want to lead, and this song inspires me to do so." – Merrick Rosenberg, CEO, Take Flight Learning
28. "I Lived" by OneRepublic
"My entrepreneur wake-up song is 'I Lived' by OneRepublic. It reminds me to take risks, put my day in perspective of my entire life and never regret the mistakes that inevitably befall a young business owner." – Gabrielle Jackson Bosche, founder and president, The Millennial Solution
29. Beethoven's fifth and seventh symphonies
"[They] get my blood pumping and mind working, almost better than espresso." – Aaron Keller, CEO and founding partner, Capsule
30. "Fight Song" by Rachel Platten
"I love being the underdog because it gives you the opportunity to prove to yourself that you can win or build something great when the odds are against you. This song portrays that struggle perfectly." – Chris Cardillo, owner, Castle Windows
31. "Live and Let Die" by Wings
"This song has been with me throughout every stage in my entrepreneurial career and reminds me to live my life the way I want, and to approach every situation all or nothing. 'When you got a job to do, you gotta do it well / You gotta give the other fellow hell' inspires me to always be the best that I can be, and to always disrupt the competition." – Chad Hetherington, CEO, The Stable
32. "Firework" by Katy Perry
"Whenever I'm in need of motivation or encouragement, I turn to Katy Perry's 'Firework.' The fast-paced song instantly lifts my mood, but the inspiration goes even deeper. I greatly value hard work, perseverance and a no-excuses attitude. Sometimes I need a reminder that 'there's a spark' in me. I do have the ability to dig a little deeper and go the extra mile – I just need to ignite the motivation." – Monica Eaton-Cardone, co-founder and COO, Chargebacks911
33. "It's Oh So Quiet" by Bjork
"One of my favorite songs is Bjork's 'It's Oh So Quiet.' It's less about the lyrics and more about the crazy, creative, unusual energy. It's the kind of song that motivates me to dance like no one is watching." – Katy Martin, co-founder, Web Designer Beauty School
34. "Hold On" by Alabama Shakes
"I've been an entrepreneur for a little over year, and a song that inspires me is 'Hold On' by the Alabama Shakes, because it's a song of perseverance and patience." – Melissa Golebiowski, founder and head publicist, Lost Literati PR
35. "I'm Gonna Be Somebody" by Travis Tritt
"The song that has inspired me the most in my life is by country artist Travis Tritt, entitled 'I'm Gonna Be Somebody.' Being from a very small farming community in Kansas, I listened to this song while cruising Main Street in high school and dreamed of being a big success one day. Well, by the standards I grew up with, that has happened many times over." – Gregory Serrien, author and business consultant
36. "Shake It Out" by Florence and the Machine
"'Shake It Out' by Florence and the Machine is my go-to song when I need to smile, when I need motivation or [when I] feel overwhelmed during my day. The lyrics in conjunction with the instrumentals are nothing less than invigorating. When I rock out to that song, I stay in the present, and positive. I feel empowered, young and ready to show the world what I am made of." – Sophia Hyder Hock, founder and CEO, Papilia
37. "Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zeppelin
"One of the greatest rock songs ever written is 'Stairway to Heaven' [by Led Zeppelin]. 'Yes, there are two paths you can go by, but in the long run, there's still time to change the road you're on.' So, whatever's wrong, whatever's not working out, whatever you're not happy with – in yourself or a situation – take the initiative and fix it." – Shaun Breidbart, comedian and executive director, The Ivy League of Comedy
38. "Paradise Is Waiting" by St. Lucia
"St. Lucia's newly released song 'Paradise Is Waiting' is played on loop daily while I get work accomplished. It's a very joyous and purposeful song. It makes me want to break from work and clap along because of the rhythm. It's a great feel-good song, which I think we could all use during the workday." – Caitlin McCarthy, owner and founder, C|Louise Public Relations
39. "The Bull" by Kip Moore
"Currently, my favorite song is Kip Moore's 'The Bull.' I'm a huge fan of the song because, as any entrepreneur knows, you will constantly get nos and go through numerous setbacks. This song focuses on the other side and view setbacks as motivation." – Theo Lee, CEO and co-founder, KPOP Foods
40. "Come Alive" by "The Greatest Showman" cast
'"Come Alive' from 'The Greatest Showman' soundtrack is my jam for one of the most inspirational songs regarding small business ownership. With its uplifting and positive message about shining fully by embracing your talents, taking your dream to reality, proving yourself and thriving – that's the essence of entrepreneurship." – Melissa St. Clair, owner and independent contractor, Paper Chaser
41. "Let's Get It Started" by Black Eyed Peas
"It gets the blood flowing and motivates me to accomplish my goals for the day. It plays through for the first 30 minutes of my day. I am so pumped after [the song] that, even if my day has obstacles, I still feel like I can overcome anything, and usually, I reach my writing goal or my engagement target that translates into sales." – Janice Elliott-Howard, author and publisher
42. "Sleeping Beauty" by Perfect Circle
"My favorite song is 'Sleeping Beauty' by Perfect Circle. It has an interesting time signature and powerful lyrics regarding being accountable for the state of your own mental health. Although written from a perspective of hopelessness in helping another, it reminds me not only that it's not possible to fix another human being but that I need to mind my own demons and attend to my own mental and emotional soundness before I can help another. It helps me to stay grounded in my role of teaching coping skills and supporting my clients' processes of healing while trusting in their own capabilities to help themselves in their own time." – Lori Araki, founder of Araki Horsemanship
43. "Don't Dream It's Over" by Crowded House
"I have not had an easy road to entrepreneurship. I have had to overcome many obstacles in my life – born to immigrant parents and the first in my family to go to college, worked overnights for many years in television, suffered health challenges including a bout with cancer, tough bosses, failed jobs, the list goes on. I started my business two years ago literally with a small loan from a family friend, a laptop, a phone and a prayer in my dining room – with a family to support, hoping I knew what I was doing. Today we are growing and working nationwide with more than 15 clients and a staff of about 10. This song encompasses my work ethic and constant dream to never give up. There are late nights, battles, and sometimes it seems there will never be an end to the struggle … this song inspires me to keep going every time." – Michelle Mekky, CEO and founder, Mekky Media Relations
44. "I Won't Back Down" by Tom Petty
"My favorite song … is Tom Petty's 'I Won't Back Down.' The song is about fighting for yourself in the face of adversity and not backing down in situations that come along. This can apply to work or other life challenges that you may feel are difficult to accomplish. One of the verses says, 'I'm going to keep this world from dragging me down.' To me, that one line says a lot. The reason I find it so inspirational in my work is that it's a simple message in a very well-written song. For me, it says, 'Don't give up.' Success in business is about not giving up, and I feel like this is the No. 1 rule for entrepreneurs ... to stick with it regardless of what challenges come up. There will be ups and downs, but no matter what, don't back down." – David Hawkins, founder and chief creative officer, Your Songmaker
45."Roll With It" by Oasis
"My favorite entrepreneurial song which I listen to regularly would have to be 'Roll With It' by Oasis. Not only are they from Manchester where I am based, but I also like the theme of the song, [which] is 'don't let anybody get in your way.' As an entrepreneur, I've met a lot of challenging people that don't always want me to succeed. This song reminds me that whatever obstacles, challenges or problems I face, I never let them get in my way of growing my business. I also love the attitude of Liam Gallagher throughout the song, which is basically 'get on with it.'" – Alexander Winston, managing director, PPC Protect
46. "Girl on Fire" by Alicia Keys
"'Girl on Fire' by Alicia Keys is my go-to song to put me in the best mood before I begin working and while working. It's so inspirational and powerful. Anytime I feel like I'm stuck or can't handle a situation, I play this song and feel like I can take on the world." – Marissa Chiechi, director of PR, Rayce PR
47. "Althea" by The Grateful Dead
"No matter what the situation, this song calms the trouble. It is just under seven [minutes] of pure relaxation, letting qualms slip away, allowing me to get back to work without inhibitions. You can listen to the song before working, during and after. It is the closest thing I have to a restart button during the day." – David Barbour, co-founder, Vivio Life Sciences
48. "Entwined" by Khaili Conway, Backyard Party remix
"My favorite song right now is the Backyard Party remix of Khaili Conway's track 'Entwined.' I love it because the beat is fast and uplifting and builds to an awesome crescendo, which reminds me of the journey I'm on as an entrepreneur, grinding out every day to build to something great. Plus, this particular version has no lyrics, which means I can listen to it while I work without the words of the song distracting from the words I'm writing." – Dave Bowden, founder, Irreverent Gent
49. "Behind the Lines" by Genesis
"My favorite song to pump me up before [work] is an old progressive hit by Genesis called 'Behind the Lines.' I listen to it every time before doing an interview or making an important sales call. The music is so powerful it really helps to pump me up. Hearing the song also brings me back to when I was just 18 years old, which is a time when we have our whole future ahead of us." – Vincent James, co-founder, Keep Music Alive
50. "Go Your Own Way" by Fleetwood Mac
"In the context of business, a really great song that is very applicable is Fleetwood Mac – 'Go Your Own Way.' I say this because businesses are like relationships – always changing, always evolving, and especially always back and forth, good and bad, much like the band's relationship toward one another at that time." – Robert Graham, owner, Sticky Monkey
Additional reporting by Brittney Morgan. Some source interviews were conducted for a previous version of this article.