20 songs to play after a big win

No other song screams victory after winning a game like Queen’s 1977 track “We Are The Champions.” On the track, the band highlights how people must go through odds and persevere through trials to achieve their dreams. It's only fitting that the song is often played at the end of sports games. As the band sings on the hook, “We are the champions, my friends / And we’ll keep on fighting ‘til the end.” 

On Drake’s 2013 single “Started From The Bottom,” the rapper highlights how people would count him out, and now he’s thriving to show everyone up. It’s the type of song that’s perfect for someone deemed as an underdog but comes out on top.

Carrie Underwood claims her victory on her 2018 single “The Champion.” Teaming up with Ludacris, Underwood uses references to Rocky and Muhammad Ali to define her winning spirit. Even if someone tries to knock her down, she’s going to get up and fight again. It’s evident from the beginning of the song, as she sings, “I’ll be the last one standing / Two hands in the air, I’m a champion / You’ll be looking up at me when it’s over / I live for the battle, I’m a soldier.” 

On McFadden & Whitehead’s groovy 1979 track “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now,” the duo reflects on how circumstances can always hold people back, but there’s usually light at the end of the tunnel.

When people hear Survivor’s track “Eye Of The Tiger,” a lot of them think of the training scene in the 1982 film Rocky III. Between the insane guitar chords and the lyrics about facing any competitor, it makes for a perfect victory song. Get into a confident mode as the band sings, “It’s the eye of the tiger / It’s the thrill of the fight / Rising up to the challenge of our rival.”

If there’s one artist to name as the spokesperson for a winning mentality, DJ Khaled deserves to be top of mind. It was evident in his 2010 single “All I Do Is Win” when he teamed up with T-Pain, Ludacris, Rick Ross, and Snoop Dogg. On the track, they highlight the importance of winning in life and their careers.

Imagine Dragons knows how important it is not to give up; that's the message from their 2012 track “On Top of the World": “And I know it’s hard when you’re falling down / And it’s a long way up when you hit the ground / But get up now, get up, get up now / ‘Cause I’m on top of the world.” 

Destiny’s Child is well aware that sometimes people prey on others’ downfall, but they have the will to fight through anything. This sentiment is heard on the group’s 2001 single “Survivor.” Although the music video has the ladies dressed in army fatigues, the song is more about fighting any battle and winning in the end. As they sing on the hook, “I’m a survivor / I’m not gon’ give up / I’m not gon’ stop / I’m gon’ work harder.” 

On Flo Rida’s 2011 track “Good Feeling,” he defines how people should keep faith and positivity in their spirit in order to win in the end. It’s evident in the first verse as he says, “Yeah I got a brand new spirit / Speaking it, and it’s done / Woke up on the side of the bed like I won / Talk like a winner, my chest to that sun.” 

Elton John’s 1983 single “I’m Still Standing” takes winning to a different level. Someone he was close to tried to tear him down, but he persevered and prevailed in the end. John's feelings were heard on the hook as he sings, “Don’t you know I’m still standing better than I ever did? / Looking like a true survivor, feeling like a little kid.” 

Kanye West reflects on how he came out victorious on his 2007 single “Stronger.” Using a smooth sample of Daft Punk’s track “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger,” West gives fans a solid track about showing perseverance. As he says on the hook, “N-now-now that, that don’t kill me / Can only make me stronger / I need you to hurry up now / Cause I can’t wait much longer.” 

If people need to hear an empowerment anthem, then Katy Perry’s 2013 track “Roar” deserves some shine. On the track, Perry highlights how the voiceless can find their voice and truly make a difference. Take Perry's words of wisdom as she sings, “I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter / Dancing through the fire / ‘Cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me roar.” 

The trumpets heard throughout Jay Rock’s 2018 single “WIN” help set the track’s winning mindset. Fans can get the idea that Jay is a highly competitive person who only wants to stick around people who want to see him succeed. He might have started as an afterthought, but he fought to become the winner he is today. 

Journey’s 1981 single “Don’t Stop Believin’” has grown quite popular over the last few decades. The song can be heard in pop culture, such as films, TV shows, and sporting events, making it the perfect song about initiative, perseverance, and confidence. 

When Nelly released his critically acclaimed sophomore album, Nellyville, one of the standout tracks was his boastful single “#1.” On the track, Nelly details his success and dealing with critics and other rappers trying to copy his style, but he knows he’s a true innovator. As the says on the hook, “What does it take to be number one? / two is not a winner, and three nobody remembers.” 

One of the main highlights of Eminem’s film 8 Mile is the movie’s theme song, “Lose Yourself.” While Eminem helps detail the movie’s lead character, the song is all about taking opportunities head-on. As he says on the hook, “You better lose yourself in the music  / The moment, you own it, you better never let it go / You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow / This opportunity comes once in a lifetime.” 

Whether a person wins or loses, they always have a chance to compete again if they so choose. Rock band Rush ties this sentiment into their 2002 track “One Little Victory.” As they sing on the track, “Celebrate the moment / As it turns into one more / Another chance at victory / Another chance to score.” 

People have often said that anything in life worth having is worth working for. The late Nipsey Hussle had no problem highlighting the hard work he put in to see some levels of success on his 2017 track “Grinding All My Life.” As he said on the hook, “All my life, been grinding all my life / Sacrificed, hustled, paid the price / Want a slice, got to roll the dice / That’s why all my life / I’ve been grinding all my life.” 

Sometimes, taking the road to the top can be a bumpy one, but there’s nothing like reaching that destination or achievement. In Bob Dylan’s “Paths of Victory,” he reflects on how people need to still work towards their victory, even if it’s hard in the midst of it. His sentiment is heard in the first verse, singing, “The trail is dusty / And my road it might be rough / But the better roads are waiting / And boys it ain’t far off.” 

Kanye West samples Steely Dan’s “Kid Charlemagne” on his 2007 track “Champion.” The rapper uses the track to tell about the life of a champion. His winning mentality is heard on the bridge, “This is the story of a champion / Runners on their mark, and they pop their guns / Stand up, stand up, here he comes / Tell me what it takes to be number one.”