Here’s a list of songs about defying the odds for all the underdogs out there. All the people who were born into a difficult situation yet nevertheless managed to work tirelessly toward their goal, despite the odds being stacked against them.
One unexpected fact is that underdogs often have the element of surprise. No one is counting on you to succeed. But when you do, the fruits of your labor will taste that much better. You haven’t given in to your problems; rather, you’ve used them to fuel your determination. That’s more like it
Some of these tracks are loaded with raw, inspiring energy that can be used to propel you forward. OK, so let’s get to it.
1. ‘The Underdog’ by Spoon
First on our list of songs about defying the odds is this timeless classic, this song has stood the test of time. Its infectious melody effectively conveys why it’s foolish to write off the underdog. It depicts moments in life when things can be chaotic and it appears difficult to overcome obstacles.
Nonetheless, it shows that you can and will emerge stronger on the other side of adversity. People will fear you for your tenacity if you adopt this mentality!
2. By Queen, “We are the Champions”
This legendary Queen song is exactly what everyone needs to hear after their victory. This song has your back when you’ve finally made it through those difficult times, and it will help you rejoice in your accomplishment and feel on top of the world. This is the tune you play when you’re feeling like nothing can stop your winning streak.
3. Foreigner’s “Jukebox Hero.”
This song captures the universal experience of rooting for the underdog to win. That sense that you simply must act, begin, and persevere in doing anything until you reach your highest level of performance. It’s about finding that motivation and finally mastering the guitar with the hopes of performing live.
Something you wouldn’t give up on until you’d accomplished it. Even if picking up a guitar isn’t your thing, the message of this song is true regardless: do what makes your heart happy.
4. Papa Roach song “Kick in the Teeth”
A song for when everything that could go wrong did go wrong, and you just need to let it all out. This song allows you to scream and shout about how the world won’t break you.
You can see how far you’ve come and use that as motivation to push yourself even further, no matter how many times you’ve tried and failed. A tune to remind you that the underdog can’t be stopped by anyone or anything.
5. Taylor Swift, “The Last Great American Dynasty.”
Another tune for individuals who have been told they waste their money and time on a lavish lifestyle they don’t deserve.
Taylor Swift performed a great job, set to a soothing song that will connect with you, of portraying a longing for what you once had but no longer have, things you enjoyed to the fullest despite what others thought about you. If you want to be truly happy, you should ignore what other people say and live your life to the fullest.
6. The Stooges’ “Dirt.”
Here, lead singer Iggy Pop admits he’s been down on his luck, but that hasn’t changed his perspective one bit. He will succeed despite the odds. I’ve been garbage, but it doesn’t bother me because I’m on fire inside.
It’s one of the best songs about being dejected but relatively unknown.
7. Albert Lee, “Born Under a Bad Sign”
There are moments when it seems like nothing good will happen to you. Those who have stock in superstition may attribute this misfortune to having been born under an unlucky star sign (referring to the zodiac). Numerous famous musicians have covered this song by blues legend Albert Lee, including Eric Clapton (with Cream) and Stevie Ray Vaughn.
8. Ben Harper’s “I’ll Rise”
As an American poet and campaigner for civil rights, Maya Angelou served as an uplifting example to many. One of her most well-known poems, “I’ll Rise,” has been set to music by Ben Harper. Fantastic piece about overcoming adversity and rising tall: “you may trampled me down in the very dirt, yet still like the dust I’ll rise.”
9. Alicia Keys, underdog
If you ever needed proof that an underdog can win, look no further than Alicia Keys. She had a difficult upbringing in the Hell’s Kitchen section of New York City with her single mother. Therefore, the likelihood of her becoming a global icon was, at best, slim.
She overcome all obstacles to become the incredible musician she is now. The song encourages listeners to follow their dreams despite the odds.
10. The Chumbawamba tubthumper
This legendary battle song is an absolute must for every underdog music playlist. It’s no secret that Chumbawamba was a band hellbent on toppling the British Empire. The definition of tubthumping is “to campaign,” which is exactly what people do when they use the term.
Even if you don’t agree with its political overtones, the phrase “I get knocked down but I rise up again, you’re never going to keep me down” has become a rallying cry for underdogs everywhere.
11. Simon & Garfunkel’s “The Boxer”
Paul Simon felt especially battered by the criticism he had gotten from the music industry critics. So, as a result, this timeless song was written, proclaiming him “the boxer.”
He left home when he was “little more than a boy,” and now he’s “simply a poor boy.” The cold winds of winter in New York make him homesick, yet he is unable to leave the city. So he has resigned himself to “lying low, seeking out the poorer districts where the ragged folks go.”
It’s a fantastically moving tune that ranks high among S&G’s best works and among the best music of the 1960s in general.
12. Lord Huron’s “Time to Run”
Time to Run is a melancholy tune about an underdog trying to make it in this crazy world. This song is dedicated to all the people out there who are fighting the good fight in the face of adversity.
13. Taylor Swift’s “The Outside”
Taylor Swift, the song’s performer, has spent a good chunk of her career as an underdog. That’s why she’s dedicated so many songs to the underdogs. This song in particular is dedicated to people who keep pushing forward despite missed opportunities.
14. “Opportunities
Song by Pet Shop Boys
This is a soul-lifting song and one of the songs I handpicked, is a song about defying the odds. This is a song that depicts the genuine opportunities offered to underdogs. A catchy tune that will stay in your brain and inspire you to make the most of your talents and the opportunities life presents.
15. Steven Winwood’s “Back in the High Life Again”
A song that, no matter how many times you’ve fallen, will make you feel hopeful about the future.
This is the song that will make you see that everything will work out for the best, and it does more than just talk about having hope for the future. An uplifting tune that can help you relax no matter how rough things get.
16. Miley Cyrus’s song “We Can’t Stop”
An anthem for the underdogs, written by pop star Miley Cyrus, who knows what it’s like to be on the receiving end of life’s many challenges.
This song serves as a reminder to the underdogs that they can pursue their passions without worrying about what others will think of them, and that they should keep doing what makes them happy even if the rest of the world tries to stop them. Lyrically, this is one of the best songs about defying the odds.
17. By Ava Max, “So Am I”
![Ava Max - So Am I [Official Music Video]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/SxGLPVvNjvY/0.jpg)
To anyone who feels like they don’t belong, this song is a reminder that it’s acceptable to be yourself. Remember that you are not alone in your struggle, and that there are others who feel the same way.
18. Pulp’s “Common People”
The relevance of this song, which first appeared in 1995, has not diminished with time. In “Common People,” we see the working class as underdogs struggling against the wealthy who desire to live normal lives and revere the working-class image, all the while the working class starves and goes without basic necessities like food and shelter. A wonderful way to remind yourself that you are not alone in the fight of the working class against the powerful.
19. Drake’s “Started from the Bottom”
Popular song by Drake that has become an inspiration to those who believe in the power of self-reliance and striving to make something of oneself despite facing challenges. Song’s title and final lyric, “Started at the bottom now we here,” sum up its message perfectly.
Starting with nothing is such an uphill battle that everyone battles tooth and nail to climb, whether it be monetarily, in a project, or in a profession. However long it takes, you should still take the time to celebrate each of these achievements. This is one of the songs about defying the odds that reflects on a lot of things.
20. Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It”
Nearly four decades later, this song is just as relevant as it was then. It’s a rock ballad that people of all eras can sing and shout along to. This song represents someone who has been treated unfairly for too long. Someone who at last discovered how to defend themselves and went after those who looked down on him.
