The 80s and early aughts saw a rise in music emphasizing themes about mental health and perseverance. Following cultural shifts and the influence of pop culture, artists expressed their personal experiences and emotions through their work. This changed the music industry forever, inspiring many artists to sing for the purpose of reaching out to their audiences’ emotions. The following songs focus on themes of mental health and perseverance.

I Will Survive

Gloria Gaynor

Gloria Gaynor’s iconic “I Will Survive” disco anthem serves as a beacon of perseverance empowering resilience and self-discovery. With a 1978 release, the song’s impact stretched through the following decades, eventually named the 35th-best pop song of all time by Billboard in 2023. The song topped the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks and reached No. 1 on both the U.K. and Irish Singles Charts. Following the success of the song, it was nominated in multiple categories at the Grammys and won Best Disco Recording. The song’s success serves as a reminder of the indomitable human spirit and people’s ability to persevere through challenges. 

I’m Still Standing

Elton John

The confident musician Elton John displays his talent on “I’m Still Standing,” which reached No. 12 on U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 1983 and topped the charts Canada and Switzerland. The song’s success further solidified the star power of Elton John making this his anthem of resilience and perseverance while providing hope for the audience with a narrative of pushing through adversity.

Try

P!nk

Pop star P!nk champions the theme of embracing vulnerability in “Try” with the message that finding the strength to make mistakes is vital for improvement. The song peaked at No. 5 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and topped the charts in both Spain and Slovakia in 2012. In her performance of the song at the 56th annual Grammy Awards in 2014, she spun above the crowd with her signature aerial style. The song’s lyrics advocate embracing vulnerability and experiences as key for self-improvement and growth. 

Unwritten

Natasha Bedingfield

Another artist who empowers perseverance through self-discovery is British singer Natasha Bedingfield with her song “Unwritten.” The song reached the top five in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and  topped the charts in the Czech Republic and Poland. The song was an international hit with platinum status in the United States and a Grammy nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. The lyrics aim to inspire listeners to be introspective and self-aware for a good life.

Man in the Mirror

Michael Jackson

The renowned Michael Jackson made headlines with his song “Man in the Mirror,” which focuses on self-reflection and how it is necessary for personal growth. It topped the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and was nominated at the Grammys for Record of the Year in 1988. The song showcases Jackson’s vocals with lyrics that make a literal comparison of self-reflection to Jackson looking in a mirror.