Songs About Business: These Hit Tracks Have Hidden Lessons for Entrepreneurs

1. ‘My Way’ by Frank Sinatra (1969)

Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” still holds intergenerational appeal over half a century after its release (even Gen Z probably knows this one). The song speaks of a dying man looking back on his life and feeling satisfied with how it turned out.

I’ve lived a life that’s full

I traveled each and every highway

And more, much more than this

I did it my way

These are words to live by, especially when it comes to business. Building a personal brand that boosts your business while staying authentic to your core identity ensures a successful career that doesn’t come at the expense of your values. When you one day look back on all you’ve achieved, you want to be proud that you did it, well, your way.

2. ‘Started from the Bottom’ by Drake (2013)

This Grammy-nominated hip-hop track isn’t the cleanest on our list, but the lyrics tell a story that is familiar to many successful business owners and entrepreneurs.

‘Cause we started from the bottom, now we’re here

Started from the bottom, now my whole team [expletive] here

In the song, Drake reflects on how far he and his team have come, from early struggles to real success. It’s a story that feels familiar in business, where many founders build something from the ground up over time.

Drake’s message is simple: Progress takes time, and it rarely looks impressive at the start. In business, that early stage — when you’re figuring things out, building momentum and proving your idea — is part of the process, not something to skip past.

3. ‘For the Love of Money’ by The O’Jays (1973)

This 1970s R&B classic reached a wider audience when it was used as the theme song for The Apprentice, a reality show centered on business competition and deal-making. The song’s lyrics reflect some of the more complicated realities of the business world.

For the love of money

People will lie, Lord, they will cheat

For the love of money

People don’t care who they hurt or beat

The song is really a reminder that money can complicate decisions if you’re not careful. In business, that often shows up in how you set boundaries, especially around getting paid. Most business owners have dealt with late payments, difficult clients or even predatory customers at some point. Protecting your time and work means setting clear terms upfront and following through when those expectations aren’t met, even if it means resorting to debt collection or other measures.

4. ‘You’re the Best’ by Joe ‘Bean’ Esposito (1984)

Is there anything that captures the 1980s better than The Karate Kid? During the film’s iconic fight montage, protagonist Daniel LaRusso’s girlfriend cheers, “You’re the best!” before Joe “Bean” Esposito’s song of the same name starts playing.

Never doubt that you’re the one

And you can have your dreams

You’re the best around

Nothing’s gonna ever keep you down

This classic song leans into a simple idea: You have to stay in it, even when things get tough. In business, that often looks like pushing through slow periods, unexpected setbacks, deals that fall through and other entrepreneurial pain points. It’s not always dramatic; sometimes it’s just showing up, doing the work and not letting a bad stretch throw you off course.

5. ‘Rich Girl’ by Gwen Stefani (2004)

Perhaps there’s a bit of irony about a wealthy singer imagining what it would be like to be rich. Nevertheless, Gwen Stefani’s “Rich Girl” soared to the top of the charts when it was released in the early 2000s. The song celebrates the material benefits of wealth, but at its core, it’s also about independence and security. In the chorus, Stefani explains how having more money would allow her to be independent.

See, I’d have all the money in the world, if I was a wealthy girl

No man could test me, impress me, my cash flow would never ever end

Becoming wealthy is undoubtedly a dream for many entrepreneurs, but going into business for yourself brings other benefits. Nobody can fire you, you decide for yourself how to run things, and you’re in charge of creating a positive work-life balance. In many ways, achieving financial independence is one of the rewards of working for yourself.

6. ‘She Works Hard for the Money’ by Donna Summer (1983)

Another relative oldie on our list, Donna Summer’s ’80s hit was reportedly inspired by the singer’s encounter with a waitress named Onetta Johnson. The song shines a light on the kind of work that often gets overlooked, even though it takes real effort to keep everything running. It’s also a reminder for business owners to recognize the people doing the day-to-day work and make sure employee appreciation is a priority.

She works hard for the money

So hard for it, honey

She works hard for the money

So you better treat her right

Many people see being an entrepreneur or a business owner as glamorous because they only focus on the results. What they don’t always see is the work behind the scenes — the long hours, the setbacks and the day-to-day effort it takes to keep things moving. That reality is worth recognizing, both in your own work and in the people you rely on.

7. ‘High Hopes’ by Panic! at the Disco (2018)

Brendon Urie’s pop-rock hit encourages people to pursue their dreams and build something, even though it’s “uphill for oddities” and people who may be considered “weird.”

Had to have high, high hopes for a living

Shooting for the stars when I couldn’t make a killing

Didn’t have a dime but I always had a vision

One persistent theme among successful entrepreneurs is that many had to overcome doubt and even impostor syndrome. Whether it’s internal insecurities or people questioning your abilities, business owners have to decide whether to stay the course or give up. Urie himself is a great example: As various band members left Panic! over the years, he could’ve called it quits. Instead, he kept the group going as a solo project, which is when “High Hopes” was released.

In the song, Urie reflects on having that sense early on that he was meant for something bigger, even if he didn’t know exactly how it would play out. That mindset shows up in business, too. Many entrepreneurs start with an idea that doesn’t feel fully formed yet, and build it over time as they gain confidence and experience.

8. ‘Break My Soul’ by Beyoncé (2022)

In a moment when more workers are rethinking how and where they want to work, Beyoncé’s “Break My Soul” strikes a nerve.

Now, I just fell in love

And I just quit my job

I’m gonna find new drive

Business owners often get their start by wanting something different, such as more control over their time, their income or the kind of work they do. Beyoncé’s lyrics tap into that same shift: the decision to step away from what isn’t working and try something new.

Whether that means quitting a day job for your startup, taking on freelance work or reshaping your role, the idea is the same: building something that works better for you. And if you’re leading a team, it’s a reminder that employees are thinking about these tradeoffs, too.

9. ‘Backup Plan’ by Bailey Zimmerman & Luke Combs (2025)

In 2025, with millions of layoffs and the threat of AI reducing job opportunities, this catchy country tune resonates with anyone ready to take their career into their own hands.

So, if you got a fire, don’t lose it

If you got a do-or-die dream, do it

If you got something to prove, go on and prove it

Don’t let nobody clip your wings

Whether job searching, switching careers or taking the entrepreneurial route, investing in professional development is vital. Continued learning can sharpen both hard and soft skills, helping you stand out in a competitive job market. You never know where your passion could take you.

10. ‘I Can Do It With a Broken Heart’ by Taylor Swift (2024)

Not every business lesson comes from a win. Sometimes, it’s about showing up and doing the work anyway.

In “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart,” Swift pulls back the curtain on what it looks like to perform at a high level while dealing with personal challenges. The contrast between what’s happening internally and what’s expected externally will feel familiar to many professionals.

I cry a lot but I am so productive, it’s an art

You know you’re good when you can even do it with a broken heart

For business owners and employees alike, there are times when things aren’t going smoothly behind the scenes, but the work still has to get done. Deadlines don’t move, clients still expect results and teams rely on consistency. That doesn’t mean ignoring challenges, but it does highlight the importance of resilience and professionalism.

Over time, that ability to keep going — while still doing high-quality work — is often what separates people who build lasting careers and businesses from those who stall when things get difficult.

Julie Thompson contributed to this article.