Why drag yourself out of bed when you’d rather just sleep? It’s been quite the week; your mind and body just don’t want to deal with it anymore. Not to mention, you have yet another exam looming over you. So what do you do? Pop in those earbuds in or hook up Bluetooth in your car to get yourself pumped for the day. From musical to rap to country and from throwbacks to classics to recent hits, the best pump up songs can hype up your mood anytime.
Start off your day on the right note—keep reading for the 21 best pump up songs.
1. “Uproar” by Lil Wayne, Swizz Beatz
From the intro of the crowd chanting out “Weezy” to Swiss Beats hyping up Lil Wayne’s entrance into the song, Uproar pumps you up from the first second. Channeling that “mess with me if you want to energy,” the lyrics warn all enemies just how you easily end everything. Ready for that exam? The countdown in each chorus amps up the energy of the song, revving you up with each line. You cannot make it through this song without moving or bopping to the sick production and Swizz Beatz acting as a hype man in the background.
2. “Enter Sandman” by Metallica
A classic metal hit, Enter Sandman’s supercharged tempo electrifies your mood—and not just because of the intense electric guitar track that the song lives on. With simple line belted out with that raspy voice of James Hetfield, the commercial hit’s catchy lyrics add to the song’s appeal. Throw in the mellow and downplayed bridge, the high energy return of the song just escalates the excitement.
3. “Kill This Love’ by BLACKPINK
If you haven’t heard of the phenomenon called BLACKPINK, remove yourself from the rock that you live under. This smash hit by the Korean Pop pretty much checks off every checkbox for best pump up songs. The intense combination of heavy bass, marching band style drum line and jam-packed production shoots adrenaline through your veins. Then the chorus comes. Next thing you know, you just became a new member of the band, crying out the lyrics and sounds.
4. “I Do” (feat. SZA) by Cardi B
This song will turn any female into an instant bad b****. Opening up with SZA letting everyone know that she not only gets what she wants but also does what she wants. Setting the scene, Cardi B comes in with bars that let people know just who has the power. Telling women how to claim that boss title, while flaunting her success and provocative nature, “I Do” makes the perfect hype song for a night out or to start feeling yourself again.
5. “Spice Up Your Life” by Spice Girls
Heading back to the 90s, the Spice Girls were the queens of upbeat pop anthems. When feeling low or sad, this makes the best pump up song to cheer you up. The first lyrics of the song sing, “When you’re feeling sad and low, we will take you, where you gotta go.” And the Spice Girls do just that with their contagious good time vibes and references of different dances. Prepare for your shimmies and body shaking to come out like a person possessed once the chorus starts.
6. “I Don’t Care” by Fall Out Boy
Ever get into one of those moods where all you just feel so drained by everyone and everything? You just stop giving a single care. This old Fall Out Boy song takes that lack of energy and ignites it. Nothing like some good ol’ punk rock to boost up your energy. You think the song already energizes with the intense drums and guitars, and then you get to the bridge. Now Patrick Stump starts screaming out the words “I Don’t Care,” and whatever you happened to mope over flies out the window.
7. “Pon de Replay” by Rihanna
Heading back to OG Rihanna music, her first single set the stage for RiRi’s reign for queen dance tracks. Getting ready for a night out or a big event? This catchy, fast-paced song driven by a clapping beat has the power to kick-start your energy and get you going. As Rihanna calls out for the DJ to turn the music up and sings to dance, don’t get surprised when you find yourself following her orders by turning up the volume and dancing yourself.
8. “RICKY” by Denzel Curry
This energetic, rap song makes the perfect workout song to get some gains in. Better yet, you can blast this song on your car’s stereo when in the mood or to get into the mood. The beat drops immediately in the song’s intro with deep-voiced lyrics. Reminding you to never let anyone try you and to stay true to yourself, this song undoubtedly makes you feel like you run the show.
9. “Best Friends” by grandson
Like any great alternative rock song, “Best Friends” lyrics ride the curtails of angst and young adult life, singing about getting high and just living life. A total headbanger, this song helps you just let go and thrash out just for the hell of it.
10. “Hollaback Girl” by Gwen Stefani
Did someone piss you off, leaving you heated and crabby? This Y2k throwback will cast those feelings aside for you and remind you just how much “this s*** is bananas.” One of the best pump songs, Gwen Stefani’s diss channels an unknown clap back, badass energy out of you that somehow got buried. Need that extra kick? This song will do it for you with its feet stomping production and empowering lyrics.
11. “Lose Yourself” by Eminem
Working out? Play this song. Need some motivation? Play this song. Heading into your last exam. Again, play this song. Straight from the movie 8 Mile, “Lose Yourself” gears your energy into overdrive. It reminds you that your moment to shine has come and you need to grab the reins of life.
12. “Danza Kuduro” by Don Omar
Nothing gets your body moving like a reggaeton. Nothing. A mainstream bop, the Latin vibes from this song loosens up any tenseness that you may have had and just allows you to enjoy the moment. With quick Spanish lyrics mixed with a stimulating beat, get ready to feel like a person reborn after dancing to the song.
13. “The Greatest Show” from The Greatest Showman Soundtrack
Remember the box office phenomenon, The Greatest Showman, and how the soundtrack filled every room and car for a while? Easily the best pump up song from the album, this song brings out your inner Hugh Jackman and makes you believe that you can achieve anything. As the ensemble sings of greatness, the jam-packed musical hit gives you the feeling that you are on top. The world becomes yours for the taking.
14. “Blue Ribbon” by Jessie Reyez
Now this song basically puts the power into your hands and gives you boss status. Singing out hard lyrics, Jessie Reyez sets the record straight and lets everyone know how things run. After listening to this song, expect your blockers to go up and say goodbye to haters. Get ready for a whole attitude shift and self-esteem boost once the song finished.
15. “Somethin’ Bad” by Miranda Lambert
A badass country song, “Somethin’ Bad” combines the vocals of two leading ladies in the genre. The lyrics sing of a heist planned between two women, though they wake up without any memory of what happened. With the crowd arousing claps and stomps to the beat, the song becomes a banger in its own right.
16. “One Foot” by WALK THE MOON
All right, we all get those days and times in which we feel like complete failures and get stuck in a rut. Making sure that you remember to take it one step at a time, “One Foot” acts as you motivation boost. The electronic production of the song lifts up your spirits and pairs well with the encouraging lyrics to just keep moving forward. Soon a ray of positivity and optimism will shroud your body and carry you onward.
17. “Nightmare” by Halsey
What does it say about a song that has a line that sings, “I’ve tasted blood and it is sweet”? It says not to mess with that person. Shouting out the chorus at the onset, this charged song immediately empowers you with strength and energy unknown. “Nightmare” helps you rediscover what makes you who you are and not to stifle your energy.
18. “Enzo” by DJ Snake
Starting off calm and slow, the song comes alive when the beat drops. This makes a great song to blast in your car while driving with your friends. DJ Snake spins a beat that challenges you not to bop your head or groove to the beat. With a loaded lineup of Atlanta rappers, “Enzo” gives you that kick to go out and make some gains.
19. “RISE” by League of Legends, The Glitch Mob, Mako, The Word Alive
Combining the forces of metal core and electronic music, “Rise” easily steals a spot on the list on the best pump up songs. The electronic music slowly builds up into the chorus and then completely explodes. Electric guitars, drum beats and heavy bass erupt from the speakers as the lead singer of the Word Alive belts out over the track. With lyrics that embrace the chaos and challenge, ready yourself to rise to the occasion from this song.
20. “So What” by P!nk
A total “zero effs given” song, P!nk has a way of capturing the emotional turmoil that she feels and flipping it on its head into self-development. Opening up with the highly recognized guitar riff, the song jumps right into the nitty-gritty with shouted lyrics and a loaded production. Life can go wrong and things can suck, but you know what? That doesn’t mean your rock star status leaves you. And this song reminds you that by pumping up your spirits and throwing some energy into it.
21. “We Will Rock You” by Queen
Boom, boom, clap. Boom, boom, clap. Everyone knows that iconic rhythm. From getting teams ready for games and meets to just getting yourself ready for an interview, this song forever marks every playlist as the go-to. One of the best pump up songs of all time, the repeated lines of “we will rock you” partnered with the simple beat bring a catchiness and energy of no other. Then the guitar solo comes on at the end to send the whole thing home, leaving you already feeling accomplished.
