80's Songs That Taught Me About Overcoming!
Born in the 70’s, raised in the 80’s. I knew I loved the decade, but the influence this music had on my life really became evident with age. There are very few 80’s songs I won’t belt out at the drop of a hat.
Let’s “get so emotional” over these rad songs from the 80’s that taught me about overcoming!
1. Tomorrow - Aileen Quinn
Overcomer Power Lyrics: "When I'm stuck with a day that's grey and lonely, I just stick out my chin and grin and say… the sun will come out tomorrow, so you gotta hang on ‘till tomorrow, come what may…. tomorrow, you’re only a day away.”
Motivational Boost: My all-time favorite movie of my childhood is Annie (and only the 1982 version will do for me). As I watch this movie as an adult, I see how much it shaped my outlook on life. “Tomorrow” is a super-optimistic reminder that no matter how bad things get, they will get better. Don’t give up hope; just hang on, make the best of it, and believe in the beauty of your dreams!
2. Don't Stop Believing - Journey
Overcomer Power Lyrics: "Don't stop believin’, hold on to that feelin’”
Motivational Boost: Steve Perry and friends tell a story of a couple of dreamers takin’ midnight trains to follow their dreams. We can relate to that small town girl and city boy… they’re just like us, holding on to a glimmer of hope and following their dreams, even when it’s scary. No matter what, we should NEVER stop believin’! (Be sure to hit that high note, y’all.)
3. You're The Best - Joe Esposito
Overcomer Power Lyrics: “…try and you'll succeed, never doubt that you’re the one and you can have your dream. You’re the best around, nothin’s gonna ever keep you down…. fight ‘till you drop, never stop. You can’t give up until you win…”
Motivational Boost: Ahh, The Karate Kid. Gotta love it. While you may or may not be THE best around, there’s no reason you can’t strive to be the best version of YOU. Don’t give up on your dreams. Keep trying, don’t stop, fight your way to the top… oh, and “sweep the leg, Johnny”.
4. The Greatest Love of All - Whitney Houston
Overcomer Power Lyrics:"I decided long ago, never to walk in anyone's shadow. If I fail, if I succeed, at least I’ll live as I believe. No matter what they take from me, they can’t take away my dignity because the greatest love of all is happening to me…. learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all.”
Motivational Boost: ‘The Greatest Love of All’ is about being an overcomer, a leader, and being accountable for your own actions. It's about owning your actions and not being a victim. YOU determine if you’ll fail or succeed, regardless of the circumstances that happen in your life… we can always rise after falling. No one can prevent you from loving yourself, believing in yourself, and living the life you were called to live. Thanks for helping me learn this at a really young age, Whitney.
5. Break My Stride - Matthew Wilder
Overcomer Power Lyrics: "Ain't nothin' gonna break my stride. Nobody gonna slow me down, oh no, I got to keep on movin’. Ain’t nothin’ gonna break my stride. I’m runnin’ and I won’t touch ground, oh no, I got to keep on movin’”
Motivational Boost: Not only does it have a catchy beat, Matthew Wilder sports some snazzy hair, a sweet ‘stache, and mega-cool 80’s clothes in the video… not to mention back-up dancers with truly outrageous dance moves. Bottom line: don’t let anyone or anything shift your focus from where, and who, you want to be. Haters gonna hate… but they’ll only throw you off your game if you allow it. "Oh no, you’ve got to keep on movin’" closer to your dreams!
6. Never Surrender - Cory Hart
Overcomer Power Lyrics: "With a little perseverance you can get things done, without the blind adherence that has conquered some. So if you're lost and on your own, you can never surrender. And if your path won’t lead you home, you can never surrender. And when the night is cold and dark… you can see light. ‘Cause no one can take away your right to fight and to never surrender.”
Motivational Boost: Regardless of who you are, what you’ve done, or where you’ve found yourself, you can overcome! You don’t have to be a victim of your circumstances and your mistakes do not define you. You can see the light at the end of the dark tunnel if you choose to see it. NO ONE can stop you from overcoming. Never give up & NEVER SURRENDER!
7. St. Elmo's Fire (Man In Motion) - John Parr
Overcomer Power Lyrics:“Growin' up, you don't see the writing on the wall. Passin’ by, movin’ straight ahead, you knew it all. But maybe sometime if you feel the pain, you’ll find you’re all alone, everything has changed… Soldier on, only you can do what must be done…. You’re just a prisoner and you’re tryin’ to break free.”
Motivational Boost: Age brings wisdom and mistakes bring lessons, but are you a good student? Don’t beat yourself up over mistakes made in the past. Reflect on where you’ve been, what you’ve learned, where you are, and where you want to be. Forgive, set yourself free, and move toward your dreams. Ignite the fire within and make this happen!
Fun Fact: For years I thought he was singing "Centermost fire" rather than St. Elmo's Fire. (Don't judge. Remember that whole "age brings wisdom" thing?)
8. Keep The Spirit Alive - Killer Dwarfs
Overcomer Power Lyrics: "Waiting `round here for my world to change. Re-arrange my life, it seems nothing stays the same. You’ve gotta walk before you run to find your place in the sun. Start believin’ yourself, that you’re number one. And before you take that step, watch out, you just might slip. ‘Cause you only get one glance in this crazy game of chance. Keep that spirit alive! Well, you gotta to survive. Well you’ll never be the same when that spark ignites your flame.”
Motivational Boost: You wouldn't expect uplifting lyrics from a band named "Killer Dwarfs", but I had a tough time narrowing it down. The world is constantly changing around us… and not always for the better. We must put forth effort to improve our lives! It won’t happen overnight and we’ll make mistakes, but if we keep that positive, hopeful, and optimistic spirit alive, it will fuel our success. That's killer, man!
9. Fight The Good Fight - Triumph
Overcomer Power Lyrics: "All your life you've been waiting for your chance, where you’ll fit into the plan. But you’re the master of your own destiny, so give and take the best that you can. Fight the good fight every moment, every minute, every day.”
Motivational Boost: Never, ever, EVER give up on yourself. Always keep fighting for your dreams and give your all. Slow progress is still progress and little by little a little becomes a lot! Be triumphant!
10. When The Goin' Gets Tough (The Tough Get Goin') - Billy Ocean
Overcomer Power Lyrics: "I'm gonna put this dream in motion, never let nothing stand in my way. When the going gets tough, the tough get going. I’m gonna get myself ‘cross the river, that’s the price I’m willing to pay.”
Motivational Boost: The goin’ gets tough for all of us at some point or another, but not everyone gets goin’ when it’s tough. Some let it get the best of them and become victims of the circumstance. Others make it happen no matter what comes their way. Let’s overcome, Billy Ocean style, y'all!
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And there you have it; the top 10 songs of the 80's that taught me about overcoming.
There are certainly hundreds more out there… which songs made your list? Comment and share your favorite overcomer songs from the 80's on my Facebook page!
Be sure to stay tuned for my next post of '90's Songs That Taught Me About Overcoming!'
