Stories of heroism and courage are always fun. So, why wouldn’t songs that talk about heroes and legends be equally as thrilling? With these 20 songs below, you’ll be able to get gain some motivation and courage yourself as you sing along to upbeat anthems about being a legend!
All of the songs listed below have something to do with heroes and legends. From fun songs that will get you moving to slower songs that question what it truly means to be considered a legend, this list has it all.
1. “Heroes” by David Bowie
One of the best songs about legends and heroes — as well as one of the most iconic — is David Bowie’s 1977 hit “Heroes”. This legendary song tells the story of two lovers who cannot be together. However, for just one day, they can dream that nothing is wrong.
Bowie compares these two lovers to kings and queens — and of course, to heroes. He sings the memorable lyrics, “We can be heroes, just for one day / We can be us just for one day.”
2. “Holding Out For a Hero” by Bonnie Tyler
“Holding Out For a Hero” by Bonnie Tyler, which was first released in 1984, is also one of the best hero songs! Tyler opens the song by questioning where the legends and heroes have gone. She sings, “Where have all the good men gone and where are all the gods? / Where’s the streetwise Hercules to fight the rising odds?”
She goes on to sing about how she needs a hero — and she’s going to sit and wait for one to appear! Tyler knows that this hero will appear and sweep her off her feet. She truly has no doubt about this, as she explains throughout the song. She’s just gotta wait for him!
3. “My Hero” by Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters released their hit song “My Hero” on their 1998 album The Colour and the Shape. In this song, the band sings about how their own heroes just happen to be everyday, average people. The song celebrates how we all can be heroes, regardless of what we do for a living, how much money we have, or what we own.
It’s a wonderful song that really strives to show how we all can be heroes — or how younger children can often find regular people in their lives to be their heroes!
4. “I’m a Legend Tonight” by KISS
The classic rock band KISS released their song “I’m a Legend Tonight” in 1982. “I’m a Legend Tonight” is definitely one of the best songs that make you feel like a hero! Lyrically, this song follows the singer as he sings to a woman who also happens to be his romantic partner.
After a long day at work, he’s ready to see her. The band sings, “I’m a legend tonight / Gonna make you feel right.”
5. “Legend” by Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg’s 2016 song “Legend” follows the rapper as he explains that he’ll always be a legend in the rap game. Snoop Dogg even calls out some of the younger rappers coming up, saying that they’ll never be quite like him. He raps, “Even if I die, living Legend / Look at my reflection / Ain’t no second guessing / Always be a legend.”
If you’re looking for a song about heroes and legends to really pump you up, look no further than this track!
6. “Juke Box Hero” by Foreigner
1982’s “Juke Box Hero” by Foreigner tells the story of a young man who doesn’t have enough money to go to a concert. However, he stands outside and hears a guitar from the concert indoors — and this changes his life.
So, he immediately goes to buy himself a guitar. He teaches himself how to play and becomes a rock star, or a “Juke Box Hero”, in his own right!
7. “Legend” by Drake
“Legend” by Drake, which appears on the rapper’s 2015 album If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late, is all about Drake’s career, wealth, and success. The rapper explains why he’s a legend, creating one of the best tracks to really amp listeners up!
Drake explains that if he dies, he’ll be a legend. Simple as that.
8. “Working Class Hero” by John Lennon
John Lennon’s 1971 song “Working Class Hero” is a bit of a depressing song, but one that talks about heroes nonetheless. In this iconic song, Lennon sings about how many regular working-class people greatly suffer from the moment they are born. Society is cruel to them and they can never seem to get ahead.
Therefore, calling these people heroes is a bit sarcastic. Regardless, Lennon repeatedly sings, “A working class hero is something to be.”
9. “Legend” by Buddy
“Legend” by Buddy is a very short song with only one verse. However, it’s a lot of fun and will surely put you in a happy, heroic mood! In this song, Buddy simply explains that everybody wants to be a legend. He, too, wants to be one — and by the end of the verse, he explains that he will be a legend!
10. “Whatever Happened to the Heroes” by Joss Stone
Joss Stone’s 2005 song “Whatever Happened to the Heroes”, which appeared on the Fantastic 4 movie soundtrack, is about heroism and courage. Stone wonders where all the heroes have gone. However, she sings about superheroes as well as real-life heroes, such as Martin Luther King Jr.
She feels that if she had a hero to save her, things would be different. Things would be better. She sings the lyrics, “I just need someone to look up to / To help me down this winding road / So whatever happened to the heroes?”
11. “Young Legends” by Sleigh Bells
Sleigh Bells’ 2013 song “Young Legends” talks about how many people never have the chance to become legends in their own right. The band explains that many musicians and artists have a lot of talent. However, they just don’t have the capabilities or opportunities to become famous — or legends.
As a result, they’re never recognized for their craft. The band explains this when they sing, “Young legends die all the time / But I don’t mind, don’t close your eyes.”
12. “Hero Takes a Fall” by The Bangles
The Bangles’ 1984 song “Hero Takes a Fall”, which appears on the album All Over the Place, opens with the lyrics, “The hero is exposed when / His crimes are brought to the light of day / Won’t be feeling sorry, sorry, sorry / On the judgment day.”
As the song progresses, we learn a bit more about the story being told. The band sings about how even heroes have their own fatal flaws. Nobody is perfect. As a result, nobody should be put on a pedestal and told they are perfect!
13. “The Legend and the Man” by Conway Twitty
“The Legend and the Man” by Conway Twitty is a very interesting song about what a star musician and a so-called legend really go through. Twitty explains that people will spend money to see this legend perform. However, they don’t know what he’s like when he’s all alone and not in the limelight.
He drinks and has lost everyone close to him. He’s completely alone. Thus, the legend may be a star to many — but he’s just as lost as the rest of us.
14. “Heroes and Villains” by The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys’ 1967 song “Heroes and Villains” can be interpreted in many different ways. Some people believe it was inspired by the Vietnam War. Some in the band stated that they were inspired by the wars and battles against the Native Americas in the United States. Still, others think it has something to do with the evil in the music industry at the time.
Regardless of what you personally take away from this great song, “Heroes and Villains” tells a tale of how both heroes and villains can save and ruin people and a town!
15. “(I’d Be) A Legend In My Time” by Ricky Nelson
“(I’d Be) A Legend In My Time” by Ricky Nelson is a wonderfully sad song about heartbreak. Nelson sings about how much he’s lost. The one he loves has left him, and he really has nothing else.
As a result, he sings about how he should be winning awards for his sadness. He sings the lyrics, “If they gave gold statuettes / For tears and regrets / I’d be a legend in my time.”
16. “Heroes Are Hard to Find” by Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac’s 1974 song “Heroes Are Hard to Find” is another wonderful song about heroes! In this classic rock song, the band sings about romance and how difficult it is to find someone who is perfect or a hero.
The singer explains that everybody has flaws. As a result, they recommend girls understand that they might not get perfection when it comes to dating. After all, “heroes are hard to find.”
17. “Legends” by Kelsea Ballerini
“Legends” by Kelsea Ballerini follows the end of a romantic relationship. Even though this romance has ended, Ballerini decides to look back fondly at the relationship. She explains that everybody knew them — and everybody loved them together.
However, now that they’ve broken up, she believes that they’ll continue to be remembered. She’ll remember this romance, at the very least.
As a result of all of these feelings, she says that she and her ex were legends. She sings, “We will always stay lost in forever / And they’ll remember / We were legends.”
18. “Nobody’s Hero” by Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi’s “Nobody’s Hero” explores feelings of love and friendship. The band explains that they aren’t heroes. They would never call themselves this, as they know they’ve never done anything to deserve this praise.
However, when it comes to their loved ones, they will do anything — and they will be the hero that they need. The band sings, “I’m nobody’s hero / For you I’d lay down my life / Nobody’s hero / But I’d tear down the stars from the sky.”
19. “Legend In Your Own Time” by Carly Simon
“Legend In Your Own Time” by Carly Simon is yet another great song about a man who is considered a music legend… yet has problems of his own. Simon opens up the song by explaining that when this man was a young boy, his family was sure he was going to be a leader.
However, he decided to become a musician instead. Simon sings that he became a legend, saying, “But you’re a legend in your own time / A hero in the footlights / Playin’ tunes to fit your rhyme.”
But that doesn’t mean he was happy, as she clearly states that he wasn’t! Even though he became a legend and a star, this man continued to be lonely.
20. “Hero” by Enrique Iglesias
At last, let’s talk about “Hero” by Enrique Iglesias! In this 2001 song, Iglesias sings to a romantic partner. At first, he questions whether this person will truly love him back. Will his partner let him in and be there for him?
By the chorus, he pleads with his partner that he can be exactly what they need. Therefore, he sings that he’ll be their hero! He sings the memorable lyrics, “I can be your hero, baby /I can kiss away the pain.”