10 Best Songs About Courage

Feature Photo: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

This is an article that presents songs about courage. While I have been writing very in-depth articles digging deep into songs for the past few years, with this one I’m going to pretty much keep it simple and just let the songs speak for themselves. These are songs about courage, and they don’t need me to write about them; they don’t need me to talk them up; they are distinctively incredibly powerful in their musical presentation and their lyrical brilliance. If these songs Don’t inspire you, then you’re on the wrong website.

# 10 – While You See a Chance – Steve Winwood

We open our article with Steve Winwood’s magnificent “While You See A Chance.” I really enjoyed the music Steve Winwood put out as a solo artist in the 1980s. Recorded for his second solo album, Arc of a Diver, the track was produced by Winwood at his home studio in Gloucestershire, England. Winwood played all the instruments on the recording, including keyboards, guitar, bass, and drums.

Released as a single in December 1980, “While You See a Chance” became Winwood’s first major solo hit, reaching No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100. “While You See a Chance” aligns perfectly with this article’s theme, offering a message of resilience and seizing opportunities in the face of uncertainty. The lines “While you see a chance, take it / Find romance, ” encourage pushing forward despite setbacks, a sentiment that ties directly into the concept of courage. Unlike songs that explore bravery through grand, dramatic narratives, Winwood’s approach was more introspective, urging personal transformation and perseverance. Okay I’m sorry I talked a little bit too much about this one I just can’t help it I’m going to try and keep it more simple from this point on.

# 9 – Bravado – Rush

The title says it all. There is that simple enough? Let’s see if I can keep this up. Probably not. Okay, well, let’s add a little more. Rush explored the cost of ambition and the resilience of the human spirit in “Bravado,” from their 1991 album Roll the Bones. Peart’s lyrics are some of his most poignant, touching on themes of sacrifice and the quiet strength required to endure failure, particularly in the lines, “If the dream is won, though everything is lost, we will pay the price, but we will not count the cost.” The song rejected conventional ideas of victory, portraying true bravery as the willingness to stand by one’s beliefs despite setbacks.

# 8 – The Warrior – Scandal featuring Patty Smyth

We all wondered what Patty Smyth and Scandal would do following up on their massive MTV hit “Goodbye To You.” This was it. It didn’t disappoint. However, it would prove to be the first and only full-length Scandal album ever released. After this one was issued, Patty went on her own. Good for her.

# 7 – I Won’t Back Down – Tom Petty

I miss Tom Petty. His music was defined by his own category. It was a bit Southern rock and roll, a bit Northern rock and roll, a bit country rock and roll and a little bit of everything all mixed up in a pot of pure rock and roll gold. What was Sam Smith thinking of when he he wrote “Stay With Me.” Did he think he would get away with ripping off Tom Petty. I mean, come on, you can’t rip off Tom Petty.

# 6 – None But The Brave – Bruce Springsteen

It’s amazing how many brilliant songs like this Springsteen kept under wraps for years. I really wish he had released a lot of this music in the ’70s and ’80s when we were younger and were such big fans. I mean, we still are, but it’s different now. Of course, the man has always had an artistic vision and has always been very particular in whet he releases, almost to probably a fault, but then again, that’s his prerogative.

# 5 – Change – John Waite

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Change_(John_Waite_song)
When I think of the early days of MTV I think of this video. Originally recorded by Waite for his 1982 debut solo album, Ignition, the song was produced by Neil Giraldo and recorded at The Power Station in New York City. Featuring Waite on lead vocals, Tim Pierce on guitar, Donnie Nossov on bass, Frankie LaRocka on drums, and Mike Finnigan on keyboards, the track combined new wave influences with a driving rock edge. “Change” wrestled with the idea of external transformation versus inner constancy, captured in lines like, “It doesn’t matter who you are / It’s all the same / What’s in your heart will never change.” Sticking to your guns is what courage is all about my friends.

# 4 – Hold Your Head Up – Argent

Do we even have to talk about what this song is all about? Just the simple title and chorus is all you really need to know. I mean how many times have you told your kids, your friends, your partner, your students, the guy who works at 7-Eleven to hold your head up? Recorded for their 1972 album All Together Now, the track was produced by Rod Argent and Chris White and recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London. The lineup featured Rod Argent on keyboards and backing vocals, Russ Ballard on lead guitar and vocals, Jim Rodford on bass, and Robert Henrit on drums. Released as a single in 1972, “Hold Your Head Up” became Argent’s most commercially successful song, reaching No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 5 on the UK Singles Chart.

# 3 – Faith Of The Heart – Rod Stewart

“Faith of the Heart” was written by Diane Warren and performed by Rod Stewart for the 1998 film Patch Adams. If you have ever seen the film you will understand what a courageous song this is. I’m pretty sensitive to songs like this, especially about young people overcoming horrible diseases, health problems, and trauma. There’s nothing more courageous.

# 2 – Get Up Stand Up – Bob Marley

“Get Up, Stand Up” was not just a song; it was a declaration of defiance. Inspired by Marley’s experiences in Haiti, where he witnessed extreme poverty firsthand, the lyrics confronted both political oppression and religious dogma, particularly in lines like, “Most people think that great God will come from the sky / Take away everything and make everybody feel high.” The song’s rhythmic call-and-response structure gave it a communal energy, turning it into a rallying cry that transcended its original context. Over the years, it became one of Marley’s most frequently performed live tracks, often serving as the climactic closer to his concerts, including his final show at Pittsburgh’s Stanley Theatre on September 23, 1980.

# 1 – Kentucky Avenue – Tom Waits

Some will get the reason why this is in the number one spot, and of course, many will not. For those who do not, if you dig deep into the lyrics and in a particularly certain section, you may get it.

Updated December 26, 2025

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