We’re taking a closer look at songs about surrender.
The word surrender can have many meanings. It can be about admitting defeat. It can be about surrendering our ego in a time of crisis. It could also mean surrendering ourselves to love. It can even mean surrendering to the pressures of conformity.
Whatever the circumstances may be, surrendering puts us in a vulnerable position, making it a great subject for songwriters to tell us a story. We’ve picked ten of the best for you to discover.
Top Songs About Surrender
“Surrender” – Cheap Trick
A tale of a kid who decides his parents are overprotective but not as out of touch or stoic as his friend’s parents.
The chorus starts out with him talking about his parents being alright but a little weird. The chorus finishes, “Surrender, but don’t give yourself away.”
The message is that as adults, you will have to conform to the roles of society, but this doesn’t mean you should lose your passion for life or give up the things that bring you happiness.
“Surrender” – Natalie Taylor
This pop song is a tale of two loves who avoided facing the deeper issues in their relationship and eventually split up. Now, she’s realizing that she wants the love who has already left her.
“Can we surrender?” means she just wants to go back and apologize to each other.
The linear guitar notes and minimalist background accompaniment underscores her fragile state of mind. It evokes feelings of emptiness and loneliness. It’s a quiet gem.
“Surrender” – Birdy
A great new ballad that’s ambiguous by design. Some think it’s about her ex-lover not being able to commit to a relationship.
As she sings more about her own feelings, it’s more likely that she’s the one that couldn’t commit which we understand from the line, “This wilderness inside.”
She has come to recognize that she was wrong in not making the decision to make a commitment and now wants to surrender her heart to him.
”I Surrender All” – Amy Grant
Surrendering yourself to a higher power is a common theme in Christian worship songs.
Amy Grant’s album, Rock of Ages…Hymns and Faith is a collection of pop/folk songs that celebrate her Christianity. There is no doubt that it’s about surrendering the ego to Jesus.
“I Surrender” – Rainbow
One of the easier songs to interpret on this list of songs about surrender. Joe Lynn Turner sings about surrendering to love.
If you don’t know classic rock music, this is a great example of the genre. Rainbow was known as a supergroup as its members were all stars from other bands of that era.
“I Surrender” – Hillsong Worship
This is a Christian worship song. The singers are surrendering their will to a higher power. Becoming humble enough to ask for help is one of the cornerstone teachings of Christianity.
The idea is that their intuition has the true answers to their problems and they need to come from a place of love to find them.
“I Surrender”- Celine Dion
This song talks about forbidden love and the idea of leaving it all behind for someone new. Celine is singing about her comfortable life that seems to be in a rut.
She has fallen in love with another and would surrender all of who she is to be with them. She is one of the few vocalists who could pull off this power pop ballad.
“You’re Going to Be OK” – Brian and Jenn Johnson
A message to someone who is going through dark times. The singer encourages the listener to find inner strength.
It’s a very popular Christian song, but unlike the songs by Hillsong Worship, Amy Grant, and R. Kelly, the religious references in the lyrics are very subtle. This leaves room for personal interpretation and broadens its appeal.
“Surrender”- Tom Petty
The late rocker Tom Petty’s masterful songwriting is displayed here. While many sing about the emotional release they feel when surrendering to love, Petty is asking his lady to surrender to him.
Why? Because he claims she already told him she loves him. “I’m on my knees…,” tells us he has already surrendered to her and can’t understand why she has backed off from the feelings she has already claimed to have for him.
“Sweet Surrender” – Sarah McLachlan
This is a soft pop song from the 1990 that, like many songs about surrender, can be interpreted in many ways depending on our own personal experiences.
The first idea is that she died and has left her body to meet an angel who will take her to heaven. The cold room is the morgue.
The next possibility is she is surrendering her ego and putting her life in the hands of a higher power.
The final idea is that she has left a bad relationship and has met someone new. Here, she’s surrendering to love and the cold room is the old, cold relationship.
Like “You’re Going to Be Okay,” it shows how being less literal widens a song’s appeal.
“Surrender” – Kut Klose
A soothing call by one lover to surrender to a love thirsting for their lover. They are letting not their shyness hold them back, gentle in touch and pure in feelings. The singer is preying on her lover to stay vulnerable to love him back and share the love.
No holding back or fighting back, just letting go and letting in love—an intimate song, perfect for a date night to ignite the mood.
“Surrender”- Trixter
Amid conflict of heartbreak and separation, the singer describes the turmoil of the heart as it bargains. Surrendering to the emotions and regret they both feel is their only option.
They say old is gold. The song is a gem that has defied time and still speaks to a heart that has refused to let go of what it held dear. The only thing left is letting go and seeing what the future holds if they surrender.
“Never Surrender” – Corey Hart
It gives little motivation and uplifting for a despairing heart urging you to remain optimistic. You can never surrender, you are your strength, and you are all you’ve got. The singer describes the power found in weakness when you are almost giving up and calling it quits.
The song encourages and uplifts the broken and lost; no matter the situation, keep going. You have the light that will lead you home.
“We Shall Never Surrender” – Wishing Well
The song is a soundtrack for one of the online animation songs. Also, it describes a war cry by an opponent who is not willing to give in or surrender to his attacker. It explains in detail all the opponent has learned about the enemy and all his tactics.
He assumes the position of victory in his imagination and can envision making the enemy lick dust in total defeat. An excellent track to motivate you and lift your spirits whenever faced with a challenge ahead.
“Surrender” – Elvis Presley
Short, sweet, and charming sums up this song by the legendary Elvis Presley. Sweetly surrender to the arms of your lover is all this song is. Allow your heart o surrender to the yearning heart of your lover.
It gives an atmosphere of romance, slow dance seduction under the dim moonlight in its splendor glory. How sweet it is. It is soaking in the atmosphere of love, affection, and adoration.
“Never Surrender” – DJ Khaled
The singer spells out and acknowledges his betrayal from a friend. It is an awakening song to the current situations where people put money before humanity. It encourages and reminds you who matters at the end of the day.
“Surrender To Me”- FireCityFunk
This song brings back the disco funk with every beat and lyric. It makes me want to dance and remember the good old days of jam sessions and shaking a leg on the discotheque.
The singer is calling on the lover to surrender fully to his love. He is earning his lover to let go and soak in all the love he has to offer.
“Sweet Surrender” – John Denver
In sweet surrender, the song’s tone is living without care like a fish in the water. It describes the ability to let go by surrendering to the present moment like a bird in the air or fish in the water. Worry about nothing, except enjoying the present and soaking at the moment.
In sweet surrender, live without caring for tomorrow as it will worry about itself and a song to remind you that life is for the living. We are doing what you can do today and leaving tomorrow to worry about itself. No stress, no pressure, be in the moment.
“Surrender” – Pure
The singer’s feisty classical as they cry out, begging their lover to surrender their love. They feels deeply neglected by her lover after he ignited the flame of love then fled. Fortunately, the lyrics may be sad, but the song is not, with each vocal belched out lifts up the spirit.
It is a fun song, igniting the pressure to try and rekindle the love for their survival. They have a chance at if they surrender to the love and affection they hold for each other.
“Surrender” – Alexia Chellun
Solemn, slow, and harmonious is the rhythm and tune of this song—a calming song after a long day, perfect for relaxing your body and mind.
The lyrics tell about surrendering the fear and guilt and being calm and at ease. To let go of stress and strain in exchange for peace and harmony. It sets a mood for relaxation.
“Don’t Surrender” – Egzod & EMM
With every bit of the song, you cannot help but soak in the music with its urban electronic beat. It depicts someone battling mental disturbance, but they see the light amid that confusion. It ignites them a motivation not to let go but keep on the high spirit.
“Surrender All (Give You Everything)” – Chris Quilala
This gospel song about surrendering to Jesus by Chris Quilala truly embodies his love and devotion to Jesus Christ. His lyrics represent a follower of Christ that is all too willing to bow down and worship Jesus.
It’s beautiful to see how belief and faith give us the strength to surrender ourselves in order to believe in everything.
“I Will Follow” – Chris Tomlin
Chris Tomlin freely surrenders to his partner in the song. His lyrics proudly state that wherever the partner goes and whatever they do, he will follow them into the darkness.
Tomlin uses the lyrics to follow the Lord obediently; his words are the verbal commitment he wishes to make. In addition, Chris Tomlin knows that God is in control and is willing to trust Him that good things are in his future.
This gospel song about surrender doesn’t stop once the narrator dies. However, he has faith in himself and God that he can follow God to heaven and continue serving him.
“Surrender” – Cash Cash
Jean Paul spoke about how the title “Surrender” refers to the idea of giving up and accepting defeat in a situation. However, the word surrender sometimes has a negative connotation as a sign of weakness.
As a result, “Surrender” strives to tell the audience that sometimes, you’re fighting an internal battle that you can’t win. But, whether you want to win or are unable, sometimes the greatest power is surrendering the battle and setting yourself free.
“Swim Good” – Frank Ocean
Lyrically, “Swim Good” tells the story of a man burdened with multiple failed relationships in his life. Finally, the narrator decides to end his life by driving his car into the ocean.
The man in the song has been hurt by love too many times and is struggling to move on from each relationship. His emotions range from happy and end in turmoil. However, the song is a beautiful expression of surrendering to grief and pain.
The slow melody and metaphors found throughout the lyrics make this song perfect for someone who needs help surrendering to their pain and giving up on the upsetting past that’s been holding them back.
“Hey Girl” – Lady Gaga ft. Florence Welch
“Hey Girl” represents a story between two people in a relationship. Both people know that things between them haven’t been going well, and one of them feels it is time to surrender and let go of the relationship.
When it’s time to surrender and take a step back, Lady Gaga reminds the listeners to never forget the time spent with their partner.
Another message about surrendering in “Hey Girl” by Lady Gaga discusses how women must empower one another in all aspects of life. But unfortunately, society has formed a competition between women, and how they are driven to criticize each other.
“Coldhearted” – Bryce Fox
“Coldhearted” could be thought of as a sad or upsetting piece of music. However, the song’s theme of starting over and admitting defeat gets executed beautifully. The narrator feels like a “loser” who is “pinned between the boulders.”
When it’s time to surrender and let go of the past, sometimes you worry about being called coldhearted. It’s a terrifying feeling to think you’re lost and are unable to surrender to your past.
“Ride” – Twenty One Pilots
Tyler Joseph wrote “Ride” about accepting that it’s time to surrender and move on from your past. Twenty One Pilots plays a mixture of alternative hip-hop and rap rock, making this a powerful song for its genre.
However, aside from the upbeat tempo, the duo delivers a powerful message through the lyrics. They assure listeners that not everything will go how they want it to and that you can’t let it stop you from going through life and enjoying the ride.
“Paris” – The Chainsmokers
“Paris” takes you through the breathtaking story of someone who doesn’t believe they can find love. Alex Pall and Drew Taggart allow the song’s main characters to surrender to the love they felt when they met someone special in Paris.
It’s an emotional song that holds both the innocence and heartbreaking feelings involved with being in love.
“Glorious” – Macklemore ft. Skylar Gray
“Glorious” isn’t a song with surrender in the lyrics, but the message is about surrendering and asking for help. It’s a self-love song that makes you feel glorious in your skin.
Macklemore’s personal connection to this song is how he was addicted to drugs and how he hit rock bottom at some point. He states that hitting rock bottom gave him the courage to surrender and ask for help.
Surrendering doesn’t need to be a sign of weakness. Instead, it can be a powerful reminder that there’s help out there for everyone who needs it.
“Confident” – Demi Lovato
Demi Lovato describes the feeling of surrendering yet ensures that it can be a positive feeling. Lovato constantly asks the audience, what’s wrong with being confident? The answer is nothing.
Her lyrics talk about surrendering to who you are as a person. She discusses that it’s perfectly okay to be yourself and not constantly worry about what other people think about you.
Demi Lovato’s moral of the story is about being confident and unstoppable as a person once you surrender to your insecurities.
“Surrender” – Jhené Aiko
Jhené Aiko is singing about a potential love interest in her song “Surrender.” Most of the time, she is telling this person to “surrender” to her love.
Her song can also be viewed as the reflection of her love of herself and the process of surrendering to her own self. Signs of her own surrendering reveal her self-awareness in how she puts her soul in this songs album.
Born and raised in Austin, David is a dedicated writer and avid fragrance lover. When he's not trying out perfumes, he enjoys traveling and exploring new restaurants.