30 Most Motivating Songs by Gen X
(This is the sixth of my six playlists about music written and/or performed by bands and other musicians born in the 1960s and 1970s.)
I feel safe in claiming that Gen X musicians have given the human race more motivational songs than any other generation. Gen X almost owns this genre of music — the music that revs us up, jazzes us up, inspires us, motivates us, fills us with the positive volitional energy we need to tackle challenges, put in our best effort each day, and sail through our time on Earth.
The two songs that give me the most motivating energy weren’t written by the singers who sang them. They are both covers.
But Whitney Houston completely owns “One Moment in Time” with her voice — and no one will ever surpass her. I’ve loved this song since the 1988 Summer Olympics, and I can’t imagine how any song will ever be more inspiring than this one.
Same with Michael Buble. He owns “Feeling Good” with his voice, for all time. I find this the second most motivational song of all time.
Eight of these songs are by OneRepublic — the most motivational rock band of all time — and I wrote about each one when I wrote about OneRepublic. A ninth, “Right Where I’m Supposed to Be”, is by OneRepublic frontman, lead songwriter, and singer Ryan Tedder — a force of nature who’s probably motivated more people through their day than any other musician who’s ever lived.
Seven of these songs are by Coldplay, and I wrote about each one when I wrote about Coldplay.
So I’ll mention here on the other bands and musicians and their 12 songs.
Mariah Carey’s “Hero” has been motivating me for three decades, and the duet by Carey and Houston “When You Believe” is the most elegant motivational song given to us by Gen X singers:
Nas is a more recent discovery for me. “Bridging the Gap” is not only fun — a real blast — but conveys the power of a parent who totally believes in us to set us on the road to doing great things in this world. “I Can” is a potent motivational song for kids.
I’ve loved K’Naan’s song “Wavin’ Flag” since the 2010 World Cup, and rank it #4.
My sister Wendy introduced me to “Drive” by Incubus about a year ago, and it’s become one of my favorite songs; I rank it #5.
Ziggy Marley’s “High on Life” has to make the Top 30 with its positive reggae vibes. Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” seems to rank as the motivating rap song, followed closely by N.W.A'.’s “Express Yourself”. “Shine” by John Legend and The Roots is a great song that motivates us to inspire children and youth. And Seal’s “Fly Like an Eagle” is a fine motivational song with a social conscience.
So here’s my Top 30 from #1 to #30.
If you’re on Spotify, the playlist is here.
Here’s the playlist on YouTube.
Meduza, OneRepublic, Leony - Fire (Official UEFA EURO 2024 Song)
Ryan Tedder, Et. Al. — Special Olympics World Games 2019 Anthem - Right Where I’m Supposed to Be
