You probably heard it before you even saw the movie. Or maybe you saw the movie and the song was the only thing stuck in your head for three weeks. I’m talking about that specific, defiant hook from Shakira’s "Try Everything." The phrase i won't give up i won't give in has basically evolved past being just a lyric from a 2016 Disney movie. It’s a whole mood. It’s a digital mantra. Honestly, it’s one of those rare moments where a piece of pop culture actually sticks the landing on being "inspirational" without feeling like a cheap greeting card.
But why?
Zootopia came out almost a decade ago. In internet years, that’s prehistoric. Yet, if you scroll through TikTok or Instagram Reels today, you’ll find thousands of people—marathon runners, students pulling all-nighters, people recovering from surgery—using that specific audio. It’s because the song doesn't promise that you’re going to win. It just promises that you’re going to keep failing until you don't. That’s a huge distinction. Most pop songs are about the victory; this one is about the mess that happens right before it.
The Shakira Factor and Why It Hit Different
When Sia and Stargate sat down to write "Try Everything," they weren't just making a song for a bunny cop. They were tapping into a very specific type of resilience. Shakira’s performance gave it a certain rasp and grit. It wasn't "Disney Princess" polished. It was grounded. When she sings i won't give up i won't give in, there’s a believable weight to it.
The lyrics actually acknowledge the struggle. "I messed up tonight / I lost another fight." That’s not usually how these "you can do it" anthems start. Usually, they start with the sun rising and everything being perfect. By starting with a loss, the song builds a rapport with the listener. It says, "Yeah, I know you’re failing. Me too. Let’s keep going anyway."
Think about the psychological impact of that. Researchers often talk about "Growth Mindset," a concept popularized by Carol Dweck. It’s the idea that intelligence and talent aren't fixed traits. They’re muscles. You build them by sucking at something for a long time. The chorus of this song is basically a three-minute summary of a Stanford psychology paper, but with a better beat.
It's Not Just a Song, It's a Survival Tactic
Life gets heavy. We all know that. In 2026, the world feels faster and louder than ever. We're bombarded with images of people who seem to have it all figured out. In that context, the phrase i won't give up i won't give in acts as a mental reset.
I’ve seen this play out in real-world communities. Take the marathon running world, for example. If you look at the "training vlogs" on YouTube, this song is a staple. Why? Because at mile 22, your legs don't care about "manifesting success." They just want to stop. You need a simple, rhythmic thought to latch onto. You need a beat.
- It’s short.
- It’s rhythmic.
- It’s declarative.
There's no room for "maybe" or "I'll try." It’s a binary choice. You either give in, or you don't. By choosing the latter, you’re reclaiming a bit of agency in a world that often feels like it's spinning out of control.
The Science of "Sticky" Lyrics
Ever wonder why some songs get stuck in your head (earworms) while others vanish? A study published by the American Psychological Association found that earworms usually have a fast tempo and a generic melodic shape but with some "unusual intervals."
"Try Everything" fits this perfectly. It has that driving, four-on-the-floor beat that mimics a heartbeat during exercise. The repetition of i won't give up i won't give in creates a cyclical reinforcement in the brain. It’s basically self-hypnosis.
Beyond Zootopia: The Cultural Legacy
People forget that Zootopia was actually a pretty gritty movie for a "kids' film." it dealt with systemic prejudice, fear-mongering, and the "glass ceiling" (or "grass ceiling" for Judy Hopps). When Judy is sitting on that train, leaving her small town for the big city, the song plays. It’s the sound of optimism meeting reality.
And reality hits her hard. She ends up in a tiny, depressing apartment with noisy neighbors. She’s stuck writing parking tickets. This is where the song earns its keep. It’s not a song for the graduation ceremony; it’s a song for the Monday morning after you realize your dream job is actually kind of exhausting.
I think that's why the internet hasn't let go of it. We live in the "Monday morning" of the digital age. Everything is a grind. Whether you're trying to grow a small business, learn a new language, or just get through a tough mental health patch, that specific line—i won't give up i won't give in—provides a shield.
✨ Don't miss: The Inmate by Freida McFadden: What Most People Get Wrong
Mistakes People Make With This Mindset
Wait, though. There is a "toxic" version of this. Sometimes, "not giving up" can turn into "not knowing when to pivot."
If you're banging your head against a wall, the wall isn't going to move just because you're determined. Resilience isn't about repeating the same mistake over and over. It's about "trying everything." That's the title of the song, after all! If one way doesn't work, you don't give up on the goal, but you might give up on the method.
- Analyze the failure. Why did it go wrong?
- Adjust the tactic. Can I approach this from a different angle?
- Maintain the tempo. Don't slow down because of a bruise.
That's the real nuance. The lyric i won't give up i won't give in is about the spirit, not necessarily the specific plan. It’s about the refusal to be defeated by the feeling of failure.
How to Actually Apply This Right Now
If you’re reading this because you’re feeling a bit burnt out, here is how you actually use this "Zootopia energy" without it being some cheesy motivational speech you ignore.
Stop looking at the mountain. Just look at your feet. Most people give up because they’re staring at the 10 miles they have left to walk. The phrase i won't give up i won't give in is meant for the next ten steps. Only the next ten.
You should also acknowledge that you’re "in it." There's a weird power in saying, "This sucks, I’m failing right now, but I’m not leaving." It takes the power away from the failure. It makes the failure a part of the process instead of the end of the story.
Real Examples of Resilience
Think about people like J.K. Rowling (rejected by 12 publishers) or Walt Disney (told he "lacked imagination"). They didn't just have talent; they had a pathological refusal to accept "no" as a final answer. They lived the i won't give up i won't give in lifestyle long before Shakira put it to a beat.
In the tech world, look at how many startups "pivot." Slack used to be a gaming company. Instagram started as a weird check-in app called Burbn. They didn't give up on their desire to build something great, but they gave up on the parts that weren't working. They didn't give in to the "this is a failure" narrative.
What's Next?
If you're at a crossroads, stop trying to find the perfect path. There isn't one. There’s just the path you’re on and the grit you bring to it.
- Audit your current "wall." What exactly are you struggling with? Is it a lack of skill, or just a lack of momentum?
- Change the playlist. Literally. Sound affects your neurochemistry. Put on something with a tempo above 120 BPM.
- Commit to the "Try Everything" philosophy. Try ten different ways to solve the problem before you even consider walking away.
The mantra i won't give up i won't give in isn't about being perfect. It’s about being stubborn. And in a world that’s constantly trying to tell you who you are and what you can’t do, a little bit of stubbornness is exactly what you need.
Don't just listen to the song. Live the specific type of defiance it represents. Fail. Fail again. Fail better. Just don't stop. That is the only way anyone ever gets anywhere worth going.
To start moving, identify one small task you’ve been avoiding because you’re afraid of failing at it. Do it today, badly. Accept the mess. Then, do it again tomorrow, slightly less badly. That's how you turn a pop lyric into a personal reality.