31 Best Songs About Trying

There are many times in our lives when we must try to do many things, from overcoming obstacles to meeting a personal goal.

Check out this list of the top songs about trying that can make your day a little better.

“I Try” by Macy Gray

Song Year: 1999

Macy Gray’s ” I Try” is a slow, Grammy-winning song with an uplifting melody and bittersweet lyrics, featured on her debut album On How Life Is. The lyrics are from the perspective of a woman trying to let go of a failed love while struggling to get them out of her mind. This song might resonate with anyone seeking to move on from a relationship.

“Trying My Best” by Anson Seabra

Song Year: 2020

Anson Seabra wrote “Trying My Best” as a message to anyone experiencing their lowest points in life. This ballad's lyrics describe Seabra being unsure about how to live his life to the fullest, despite hiding his pain from the outside. He reassures himself he can find his purpose for as long as possible. Its solemn piano accompaniment enhances the piece.

“Another Try” by Josh Turner

Song Year: 2008

If you're a country music fan, one of the best songs about trying you should add to your playlist is Josh Turner's “Another Try.” The song's about a man who wants to reconnect with a former love, wishing to undo his mistakes that drove her away. Turner's vocals and guitar accompaniment blend well with Trisha Yearwood's harmonizing backing vocals.

“Trying Your Luck” by The Strokes

Song Year: 2001

Initially featured on The Strokes' debut album Is This It, “Trying Your Luck” is a song about a man who tries everything to get with a woman he likes, pushing aside everything for her. Written and sung by the band’s leading vocalist Julian Casablancas, this song encapsulates the feeling many people experience when trying to impress someone they care about.

“This Is Me Trying” by Taylor Swift

Song Year: 2020

Taylor Swift‘s emotional songs can strike a chord with music lovers as much as her happier hits. The main inspiration behind “This Is Me Trying” stems from Swift's personal experiences of questioning her worth. Its relatability makes it the perfect song for anyone dealing with personal struggles and how they try to overcome them. Its slower tempo enhances its melancholy vibe.

“Can’t Blame A Girl For Trying” by Sabrina Carpenter

Song Year: 2015

Are you looking for something light-hearted to listen to on a nice day? “Can't Blame A Girl For Trying,” Sabrina Carpenter's debut single, is a slow yet upbeat song about a teenage girl trying to experience young love. Despite her multiple failures, she’s eager to learn from her mistakes, making her relatable to younger listeners.

“Trying” by Cavetown

Song Year: 2020

Cavetown's “Trying” is a song about a person looking for acceptance from someone they care about, expressing his insecurities about being true to himself. The narrator expresses how he and the person he knows are trying their best to accept one another. The song’s mellow tempo and Cavetown’s subdued vocals encapsulate the insecurity many people face.

“Trying to Get to You” by Elvis Presley

Song Year: 1956

Initially recorded by The Eagles, Elvis Presley's “Trying to Get to You” tells a straightforward story about a man trying to find a woman who sent him a love letter. The narrator expresses how distance won’t stop him from getting to her.

Despite having a slower tempo than other well-loved rock and roll songs of the era, it incorporates its signature sound through its guitar instrumentation.

“We All Die Trying to Get It Right” by Vance Joy

Song Year: 2014

Vance Joy's “We All Die Trying to Get It Right” has a contrasting song to many of the previous songs on this list. The lyrics reflect the narrator's insistence that finding his place in the world isn't easy, but he tells the listener to try and aim high when trying anything since life's too short for many.

“Try To Change” by Mother Mother

Song Year: 2008

Mother Mother's “Try To Change” is a song about struggling to change, no matter how hard you try. The lyrics depict the narrator trying to change herself, but she continuously makes excuses for remaining the same. The calm vocals and indie rock guitar give the song a tranquil sound.

“Trying” by Andy Mineo

Song Year: 2021

Life is full of nothing but trying, and no song encapsulates this message more than Andy Mineo's “Trying.” Many of the song's lyrics describe the narrator trying to do many things to improve himself, from staying motivated and hiding his secrets to avoiding sinful behavior and moving forward, despite knowing he can’t be perfect at everything.