I grew up listening to country music, and didn’t really branch out until my sophomore year of high school. I still listen to a lot of country music, but have really found my preference in modern jazz and acoustic music. I have an appreciation for rap music, and worship the goddess who is Nicki Minaj, but it doesn’t get me fired up. Here are the top songs to get excited, if typical “pump-up” songs don’t make the cut for you:
What the Water Gave Me
Florence and the Machine
Best Lyrics:
The world's a beast of a burden/You've been holding on a long time/And all this longing/And the ships are left to rust/That’s what the water gave us
No lie, this was my pre-race song when I was a competitive swimmer. Florence is an amazingly good artist, and this song is so hauntingly invigorating. The beat is fast while her voice is smooth, and the lyrics are just hopeful enough.
Best for: Running, swimming, or doing a tough assignment
All These Things That I’ve Done
The Killers
Best Lyrics:
I wanna shine on in the hearts of men/I wanna mean it from the back of my broken hand
The Killers have such an upbeat sound for the majority of their music not having the most positive lyrics. This song has lyrics for reaching for what you need, and about the best things in life. The lyrics I’ve chosen to highlight are such good goals to have—and they’re realistic. Admitting that your hand is broken, but still wanting to mean the best has such symbolic meaning about loving even when your heart is broken.
Best for: Short dance parties, getting over a broken heart
I Wanna Get Better
Bleachers
Best Lyrics:
I didn't know I was broken 'til I wanted to change/I wanna get better, better, better, better/I wanna get better
This song came out my senior year of high school, and I used to blare this in gym class during personal fitness days. I have grappled with depression and anxiety my entire life, and this song is such an accurate depiction of how it feels to be in recovery. You can’t know how bad things are until you decide to make a change, and the journey in this song is a frank depiction of that.
Best for: Trying to get out of a funk, working out, dancing it out
Love Myself
Hailee Steinfield
Best Lyrics: (I love me)/Gonna love myself, no, I don't need anybody else
This song is most definitely about masturbation, but IT IS SUCH A GOOD SONG. Plus, a little self-lovin’ is not only healthy, but perfectly natural. Even if you don’t read this song that way, the upbeat tempo and self appreciating lyrics make this such a great pump up jam.
Best for: Dance Parties
Whoever She Is
The Maine
Best Lyrics:
And this is the part where you find out who you are/And these are your friends, those who've been there from the start/So to hell with the bad news
This song doesn’t have the most pumped-up rhythm, but the lyrics are so genuine and are perfect for the average 20-something and all their quarter-life crises. This song has the best “screw it all, I’m going to be okay,” lyrics. They acknowledge that a lot of things are changing, but that it’s going to be okay.
Best for: Going on drives, swimming, existential crises
Don’t Stop Believin’
Journey
Best Lyrics: Don’t Stop Belieivin’, hang on to that feeling
No pump up playlist is complete without this song.
Best for: Literally anything and everything
