23 Best Songs About Power of All Time

Power can come in many forms, from the power we feel when falling in love to the power of a bully intimidating their peers in the schoolyard.

These iconic songs about power explore the concept in all of these aspects, from well-known pop songs to more obscure hits from the past.

Read on, and we’ll help you compile the ultimate power songs playlist you can listen to whenever you need extra motivation.

The 23 Best Songs About Power of All Time

We’ve explored songs across multiple genres from some of the best performers in history to bring you this guide to the greatest power-themed music.

As well as outlining the song’s background, we’ve also broken down the lyrics that make these such memorable additions to the music hall of fame.

Without further ado, here’s our list of the 23 best songs about power of all time:

23. “Power Of A Woman” – Eternal

There are no prizes for guessing what kind of power Eternal were singing about in their hit track released in 1995.

“Power of a Woman” celebrates independent women worldwide, with striking vocals blending pop and R&B.

Taken from their second studio album of the same name, it was a hit in the United Kingdom, reaching number five on the Singles Chart.

22. “Music Is Power” – Richard Ashcroft

The power of music is undeniable, something which Richard Ashcroft capitalizes on in his indie rock song, “Music Is Power.”

“Let it flow through your mind,” sings Ashcroft, “‘Cause music is power it’s easily sold.”

The track was released in 2006 on his album Keys to the World, with his rousing rock anthem featuring performances from the London Metropolitan Orchestra.

21. “Powerless” – Nelly Furtado

While some songs revel in the possibilities of power, Nelly Furtado’s “Powerless” explores the flip side of the phenomenon.

She sings about how life is too short and how we should say what we want whenever we feel powerless.

Her catchiest song, “Promiscuous,” featuring Justin Timbaland, is one of the best karaoke duets adored by amateur vocalists worldwide.

20. “So Strong” – Labi Siffre

Poet and singer-songwriter Labi Siffre released “So Strong” in 1987, returning to music after a ten-year break from the 1970s to the 1980s.

So Strong explores the power dynamics between two people and how pride can disappear when someone does you wrong.

Siffre’s most popular song of all, it placed at number four on the UK Singles Chart and was inspired by a documentary on Apartheid South Africa.

19. “Girl Power” – Shampoo

As with “The Power of a Woman,” “Girl Power” is all about the ladies, with Shampoo beating the Spice Girls to the punch with this catchy expression.

It’s a shouty, poppy celebration of feminine youth that rose up the charts around the world with its infectious lyrics and melodies.

The title was later repurposed by Geri Halliwell to become the iconic slogan used by the Spice Girls just a few years later.

18. “Take The Power Back” – Rage Against the Machine

Rage Against the Machine knows a thing or two about power, having written one of the best songs about freedom ever produced.

“Take the Power Back” continues its rebellious theme, with lyrics lambasting authority and urging the youth to rise up and take back control.

It was featured on their hit self-titled debut album, which placed the band firmly on the map of rap metal bands to look out for.

17. “The Power Of Love” – Huey Lewis & The News

Anyone who has seen the classic 1980s science fiction film Back To The Future will have “The Power of Love” by Huey Lewis and the News firmly embedded in their brain.

“The power of love is a curious thing,” sings Huey, “Make a one man weep, make another man sing.”

The accompanying music video used extensive footage from Back To The Future, which helped it win the American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Song in 1986.

16. “Power & Control” – Marina And The Diamonds

Marina and the Diamonds get to the heart of power and its ability to control with her indie song “Power And Control,” released in 2012.

The lyrics explore her refusal to be controlled, singing, “Power and control I’m gonna make you fall.”

Released on the album Electra Heart, “Power and Control” was hailed by fans and critics alike as one of the best songs featured on the release.

15. “Solar Power” – Lorde

Hugely popular singer-songwriter from New Zealand Lorde took a different approach to songs about power with “Solar Power,” taken from the album of the same name.

An indie rock song with a hint of psychedelia, it was compared to Primal Scream and praised by music journalists globally.

It’s an activist piece inspired by Lorde’s trip to Antarctica and her desire to combat climate change with clean energy.

14. “Fight The Power” – Public Enemy

Like Rage Against the Machine, Public Enemy viewed power as something that the state wielded unduly and needed to be fought.

“Fight the Power” is unashamed in its anti-authoritarian sentiments, urging its listeners to step up and take action against corruption.

It’s a powerful song and rallying cry to the oppressed around the world, with a killer bassline and lyrics that propel its momentum.

13. “We R Who We R” – Ke$ha

Kesha’s powerful anthem about bravery and self-acceptance, “We R Who We R,” is a song all about being true to yourself.

As she says in the song, “No matter what they say, it’s written in the stars, we r who we r.”

Kesha’s track TikTok is regarded by many as one of the best summer songs ever made and another huge hit for the popular singer.

12. “Power” – Little Mix ft. Stormzy

Little Mix feat Stormzy explores themes of money, power, glory, and everything else related to this in her aptly-titled song, “Power”.

It’s another female empowerment song that rings true for anyone living in a rough neighborhood and who wants to stay on top.

The lead single from their fifth studio album LM5, it’s an uptempo track that peaked at number three on the UK singles chart.

11. “The Lady Is A Vamp” – Spice Girls

The Spice Girls are no strangers to power, or to be more specific, Girl Power, a theme they continued to explore in “The Lady Is A Vamp.”

The group sings, “She’s a power girl in a nineties world, and she knows just what to do.”

It’s one of the hit songs featured in their movie Spice World, which was released in 1997 and went on to earn $100 million at the box office.

10. “Soul Power” – James Brown

Considered by many to be among the best singers of all time, James Brown took a stab at the concept of power with his song called “Soul Power.”

It’s an interesting song about power that calls upon the spiritual strength we all have inside us.

Originally released in a long live version, the 12-minute version most people know today wasn’t released until l1996.

9. “Higher Power” – Coldplay

Like Huey Lewis and the News, Coldplay’s song about power is one that ties it intimately with falling in love with another person.

It’s also influenced by music from the 1980s, with Martin singing, “Oh yeah, you’ve got a higher power, and you’re really someone I wanna know.”

The track helped Coldplay win a Grammy Award nomination for their album Music of the Spheres in 2021.

8. “People Have The Power” – Patti Smith

Like Rage Against the Machine, Patti Smith understands that the power lies with the people, although her music is vastly different.

“People Have the Power,” released in 1988, is an uplifting rock song about “the power to redeem the work of fools.”

She released the song during a break from music, taking time out to focus on raising her family.

7. “Power” – Kanye West

Power in the wrong hands can cause untold damage, which is something Kanye West was interested in exploring in his song “Power.”

The rap song talks about how “No one man should have all that power” in a bombastic and hard-hitting track.

It’s the theme music to a fictional superhero from one of the most iconic rap music producers of our generation.

6. “Stronger” – Kelly Clarkson

Kelly Clarkson’s songs are often about discovering your inner strength, and her track “Stronger” is no exception.

Clarkson sings about those who’ve seen tough times but lived to tell the tale and come out the other side a stronger person.

The album of the same name from which the song was taken was a huge hit, receiving many awards nominations in 2011.

5. “We Are the Champions” – Queen

“We Are The Champions” needs little introduction, coming from a band called Queen, who has produced a long list of hits in the music industry.

It’s another song about strength through experience, with Mercury singing, “I’ve had my share of sand kicked in my face, but I’ve come through.”

Queen is responsible for some of the best songs of all time, so it’s no surprise that “We Are The Champions” is such an enduring hit.

4. “Power To The People” – John Lennon ft. Plastic Ono Band

During the 1970s, John Lennon became a vocal opponent of the Vietnam War, writing several songs about power speaking out against violence.

His song “Power to the People” solidified his reputation as a massive pop star, delivering the anti-war anthem his generation needed.

It’s a song that captures the liberal veneer of the popular music establishment in the face of authoritarian warmongers.

3. “The Power” – Snap!

A popular dance track when it was first released in 1990, “The Power” by Snap! is a lighter take on the subject of power.

This song is all about the power of the rhythm, encouraging listeners to “Bang the bass, turn up the treble.”

It was nominated for an American Music Award for Favorite Dance Single and featured on the group’s album World Power.

2. “Your Power” – Billie Eilish

Billie Eilish is one of the most popular singers in the world, and it’s not hard to see why when listening to her song “Your Power.”

Eilish sings about those who take advantage of others and abuse their power in a song that’s both melancholic and gentle.

For her efforts, she was nominated for the MTV Music Award for Album of the Year in 2022, losing out to Harry Styles.

1. “Eye Of The Tiger” – Survivor

“Eye of the Tiger” might be one of the more cheesy rock songs about power, but it’s hands down one of the most popular in the category.

The theme song for the hit movie Rocky III, its lyrics are all about overcoming the odds and emerging victorious after a long fight.

Featured on the Survivor album of the same name, the song has since become a timeless classic played by anyone looking for a boost in energy.

Summary

So there you have it, our playlist of the best songs about power, from rock classics to the iconic rap rock banger from Rage Against the Machine.

Power comes in many forms, both good and bad, and these fantastic songs capture the concept in all its highs and lows.

We’ll update this song to ensure it includes any new power-related songs, so be sure to check back in the future.

What’s the best song about power, in your opinion? Leave a comment below.