5 Great Motivational Songs From 80’s Movies

Everyone can use a little motivation from time to time, and what better form of motivation is there than great music? Er..except for the Motivational Smart Ass blog, that is…

I grew up in the 80’s and have a soft spot for the “so bad they’re great” songs and movies of that era. Here are five songs from 80’s movies that both musically and lyrically get me pumped up whenever I hear them. Throw them on your iPod and crank ’em up the next time you hit the gym or go for a run!

You’re the Best

The Karate Kid

You’re the best!
Around!
Nothing’s gonna ever keep you down

How can you top a chorus like that? You can’t!

Trust me, if you grew up in the 80’s, trained in the martial arts, and have ever gone to a karate tournament, you can not help but hear this song in your head. It is a physical impossibility.

For motivation, there’s nothing quite like hearing a guy telling you over and over again that “you’re the best! Around!” Too good…

Bonus Motivational Lyrics:
Never doubt that you’re the one
And you can have your dreams!

Wikipedia Trivia Note: The song was originally intended for Rocky III but was replaced by “Eye of the Tiger.”

Win in the End

Teen Wolf

Win in the end
I’m gonna win in the end

This is probably one of the more obscure songs on the list, and I have no idea how or why it has stuck out in my head all these years, but this is one of favorites. Come on – a song has to amazing if it can inspire a basketball team led by a non-Wolfed up Michael J. Fox (who is what, like 5’2″?) and Francis from Pee Wee’s Big Adventure to win a game.

This is a good song for when you feel like the world is using you as its own personal punching bag. Of course, if you don’t like phat 80’s synth, you may want to skip this one.

Bonus Motivational Lyrics:
I will steal the thunder
Rolling out from under
Every cloud that’s clashing in the sky

Like a true defender
I will not surrender
Why should I lie down for them and die?

Wikipedia Trivia Note: There is no Wikipedia entry for “Mark Safan,” or “Win in the End.” How is that for obscure?

Hearts on Fire

Rocky IV

Hearts on Fire
strong desire
rages deep within

I know, you’re thinking, “What about ‘Eye of the Tiger’ or ‘No Easy Way Out’?” Fine songs both, but for hardcore motivational pumpitude, you can not beat “Hearts on Fire.”

High energy, great lyrics and a great running pace. Interestingly, I always made sure to put this song at the end of my running mix because I would speed up considerably when it came on. Now that’s motivational.

What male child of the 80’s didn’t at some point visualize themselves as Rocky knocking out Drago, or running up a mountain, or cleaving logs with a single blow, or grabbing picture of their mortal enemy off a mirror and crumpling it up? We all did it, and now, with the power of music, you can do it over and over again!

Bonus Motivational Lyrics:
time will not allow you to stand still, no
silence breaks the heart and bends the will
and things that give deep passions are your sword
rules and regulations have no meaning anymore

Wikipedia Trivia Note: “According to singer Peter Cetera, he originally wrote his best-selling solo single “Glory of Love” as the end title for this film, but was passed over by United Artists, and instead used as the theme for The Karate Kid Part II.” Ech. Could you imagine “Glory of Love” in Rocky IV??

Best of the Best

Best of the Best

Put yourself to the test
Be the best of the best!

Another obscure one, but man, when growing up there was a period where I watched this movie everyday after school. Not the whole movie, just a couple of fight scenes and the training montage set to “Best of the Best.”

This is a good one for motivation because it’s all about pushing through when things get hard or painful, which, if you’re trying to achieve anything of note, they will.

Bonus Motivational Lyrics:
You have to stand up and fight
When the challenge is right
Through the tears and the pain
Still the glory remains

Wikipedia Trivia Note: This little “so bad it’s good movie” stars not one but two – count ’em, two – Academy Award nominated actors. James Earl “Don’t call me Darth Vader” Jones from the Great White Hope and Eric “Don’t call me Julia’s brother” Roberts from Runaway Train.

St. Elmo’s Fire

St. Elmo’s Fire

I can see a new horizon
Underneath the blazin’ sky
I’ll be where the eagle’s
Flyin’ higher and higher
Gonna be your man in motion
All I need is a pair of wheels
Take me where my future’s lyin’
St. Elmo’s Fire

This is not only a great 80’s motivational song, but it’s also just a great song period. Great music, lyrics, and very motivational. I don’t care what mood you’re in; listening to this song will automatically take you up a few notches.

I honestly have no idea how the song relates to the movie. I guess they talk about “St. Elmo’s Fire,” (the natural phenomenon) at the end, but that’s pretty thin. The song is a high energy anthem of inspiration. The movie is basically a telling of what would happen to the Breakfast Club if they all became dumbasses or coke-heads. Oh well…

Bonus Motivational Lyrics:
Play the game
You know you can’t quit until it’s won
Soldier on
Only you can do what must be done

Wikipedia Trivia Note: “The song was originally written by David Foster and John Parr for the Canadian athlete Rick Hansen, who at the time was going around the world in his wheelchair to raise awareness for spinal cord injuries.” (Sort of makes the whole, “All I need is a pair of wheels,” line make a lot more sense, eh?)

About

By Avish Parashar. As the world's only Motivational Improviser, Avish uses techniques from the world of improv comedy to engage, entertain, and educate audiences on ideas around change, creativity, and motivation. Connect with Avish on Google+

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