20 Best Songs About Hope

Hope is something that everyone needs, whether you are writing a song about it or not. There are plenty of great songs out there with lyrics that mention hope in some way or another.

Here are some of the best ones!

By the way, if you’re searching for songs about hope, you may also like some of our other playlists, like songs about transformation.

---

I Hope You Dance – Lee Ann Womack

Lee Ann Womack - I Hope You Dance (Official Music Video)

“I Hope You Dance” is a country song that was written by Mark D. Sanders and Tia Sillers. It has been performed by several different artists, most notably Lee Ann Womack and the Sons of the Desert.

The lyrics tell a story about a father giving advice to his daughter as she embarks on her life. It talks about how she can achieve anything if she stays positive and believes in herself. The chorus is especially inspiring, as it ends with “I hope you never lose your sense of wonder/you get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger/may you stay forever young” (Sanders).

Don’t You (Forget About Me) – Simple Minds

Simple Minds - Don't You (Forget About Me)

“Don’t You (Forget About Me)” is a song performed by Scottish rock band Simple Minds in the movie The Breakfast Club. This song was also played during the ending credits of The Amazing Spiderman 2.

The lyrics are about life being hard, but ultimately it all works out in the end. It talks about how there are times when you feel like it will be hard forever, but you’ll “rise up” and the sun will shine againl.

Eternal Flame – The Bangles

The Bangles - Eternal Flame (Official Video)

“Eternal Flame” is a song performed by the Bangles that reached number one on the Billboard charts in 1989. This song talks about how it feels when you first fall in love and makes you really feel the power of young love. It encourages us to take a risk and find our “eternal flame”.

Beautiful Day – U2

U2 - Beautiful Day (Official Music Video)

“Beautiful Day” is a song performed by U2 in 2000. This was their first single from the album All That You Can’t Leave Behind. The lyrics are very hopeful, but also real. It talks about how “it’s a beautiful day” and that you shouldn’t let anything ruin it for you. The lyrics encourage us to think positively about our life even if things aren’t perfect (like the sky isn’t always blue).

Believe – Cher

Cher - Believe (Official Music Video) [4K Remaster]

“Believe” is one of the most popular tracks from Cher’s 1998 album Believe. The lyrics are about not giving up on your dreams and believing in yourself no matter what you’re going through. Believe is an especially popular song for fans of Cher because you can hear her “believing” in herself in her voice when she sings it live.

Hole In The World – The Eagles

Hole In The World (Bonus Track)

“Hole in the World” is a song by American rock band, The Eagles. It was released on their one-disc compilation album, Selected Works: 1972-1999. The lyrics talk about the world seeming to fall apart, but someone needs to believe that things will work out. It encourages us to keep believing even if it seems like the end times are upon us.

Tim McGraw – Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift - Tim McGraw

“Tim McGraw” is a song from Taylor Swift’s eponymous debut album. It was released as the third single in June 2006. The lyrics are about a girl who is going through a lot of pain, but she can’t tell anyone because they wouldn’t understand. She finds solace in Tim McGraw’s songs. The lyrics encourage us to find hope by hearing stories from someone else who may have had similar experiences.

Smile – Uncle Kracker

Uncle Kracker - Smile [Official Video]

“Smile” is a song written by Uncle Kracker and Curt Cuomo. It was first released as the album’s first single in 2002. The song peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it his best-performing single to date. The lyrics talk about how it’s hard to make other people smile, but you should always try because it’s contagious. It encourages us to bring joy to others by smiling even when things are hard.

Let Her Go – Passenger

Passenger | Let Her Go (Official Video)

“Let Her Go” is a song written and recorded by Mike Rosenberg, who is better known as Passenger. He released the song in 2012 and it went on to become a very popular track after the BBC used it as the theme for their hit show, Peaky Blinders. The lyrics talk about how we don’t really know what’s going to happen with our lives and that it can be scary, but if we let go sometimes good things will happen. It encourages us not to fear change and to be open to all of life’s possibilities.

Ain’t No Sunshine – Bill Withers

Bill Withers - Ain't No Sunshine

“Ain’t No Sunshine” was written by the American soul singer, pianist and songwriter Bill Withers. It was first released as a single in 1971, but after it became popular he re-recorded it for his album Just As I Am that same year.

Unwritten – Natasha Bedingfield

Natasha Bedingfield - Unwritten (Official Video) (as featured in Anyone But You)

“Unwritten” is one of Natasha Bedingfield’s most popular songs and was released in 2004. She wrote this song while she was on a train from London to Brighton, England.

The lyrics encourage us to not be afraid of our future even if we don’t know what will happen because “it’s all about how you use your mind” and whatever happens is meant to be. It encourages us to follow our dreams, even if no one else does.

Heal the World – Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson - Heal The World (Official Video)

“Heal the World” was written by American singer-songwriter, record producer and actor, Michael Jackson in 1992. The lyrics encourage us to try and make a better world for everyone because you never know when someone will need your help.

Everglow – Coldplay

Coldplay - Everglow [Single Version] - (Official Video)

“Everglow” was written by British alternative rock band, Coldplay and is the fifteenth track from their seventh studio album, A Head Full of Dreams (2015). The lyrics talk about a “cosmic storm” changing you forever and leaving an everlasting glow. It encourages us to take what we have learned from our experiences and apply it to keep making the world a better place.

The Middle – Jimmy Eat World

Jimmy Eat World - The Middle (Official Music Video)

“The Middle” was written by the American rock band, Jimmy Eat World and is from their sixth studio album, Invented (2017). The lyrics encourage us to stop worrying so much because it’s a waste of energy. They also tell us not to stop chasing our dreams because it’s what makes us feel alive.

All I Want – Kodaline

Kodaline - All I Want (Part 1)

“All I Want” was released in 2013 by the Irish rock band, Kodaline. The lyrics talk about wanting to be with someone you love and they encourage us to hope for the best even if it seems like something bad is going to happen because the future is unknown.

King and Lionheart – Of Monsters and Men

Of Monsters and Men - King And Lionheart (Official Video)

“King and Lionheart” is a song written by Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir and Ragnar Þórhallsson. It was first released as the second single from their debut studio album, My Head Is an Animal in 2011. The lyrics talk about following your dreams and not letting anyone else tell you what to do. It encourages us to do what we want no matter who tries to stop us.

Eyes Open – Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift - Eyes Open (Lyric Version)

“Eyes Open” is a song by American singer-songwriter, Taylor Swift. It was written by Swift and Joy Williams and was released as the fifth single from her fifth studio album, 1989 (2014) The lyrics talk about staying open to possibility because life will surprise you if you’re willing to stay alert. It encourages us to be ready for whatever life throws our way.

Ain’t It Fun – Paramore

Paramore: Ain't It Fun [OFFICIAL VIDEO]

“Ain’t It Fun” was written by Hayley Williams, Jeremy Davis, Taylor York and Zac Farro of American rock band Paramore. The lyrics talk about letting go of your fears and trying new things because it might be fun! If you’re too scared, you might miss out on something cool.

Live Like You Were Dying – Tim McGraw

Tim McGraw - Live Like You Were Dying (Official Music Video)

“Live Like You Were Dying” was written by Tim Nichols and Craig Wiseman. American country music singer and actor, Tim McGraw recorded it for his eighth studio album, Live Like You Were Dying in 2004. The lyrics talk about not wasting any time because life can be cut short at any moment so you should do the things that matter to you while you still can. It encourages us to live every day like we were dying and do all of the things we want while we still can.

Shake It Out – Florence and the Machine

Florence + The Machine - Shake It Out

“Shake It Out” is a song written and produced by English indie rock band, Florence and the Machine. It was released as the second single from their second studio album, Ceremonials (2011). The lyrics talk about shaking off all of your fears and insecurities. It encourages us to not be ashamed of who we are because there’s nothing wrong with being different.