Survivor, Eye of the Tiger | Music Lifts 🎶 🏋

In the 29th edition of Music Lifts (2024), we’re uplifted by rock band Survivor performing, “Eye of the Tiger.”

Welcome to Music Lifts 🎶 🏋, a column highlighting songs that encourage, inspire, and uplift the spirit; songs exuding fortitude, positivity, and resolve, even in the face of adversity.  Featured songs aren’t genre-specific; songs may or may not be faith-based. The goal is for these songs to make you feel better – be LIFTED to new heights!  So, for the 29^th edition of Music Lifts 🎶 🏋 (2024), we highlight “Eye of the Tiger” as performed by Survivor.

“It’s the eye of the tiger, it’s the thrill of the fight / Risin’ up to the challenge of our rival.” YES, YES, YES 💪! More, please! “And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night / And he’s watching us all with the eye of the tiger.” Woo! Although Survivor earned five top 10 hits, “Eye Of The Tiger” was their sole no. 1 hit.  It spent six weeks at no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.  In 2018, the single was certified octuple platinum. Eye of the Tiger (the LP) peaked at no. 2 on the Billboard 200. It secured a platinum plaque.  “Eye of The Tiger” also appeared as the opener on the Rocky III soundtrack (1982). Fittingly, it was the theme song. It was written and produced by Jim Peterik and Frankie Sullivan.

“Eye of the Tiger” provides motivation musically and thematically. The instrumental is epic with driving, rhythm guitar, prominent bass, sweet keys, and an infectious groove.  With an excellent build-up during the intro, those heavy-handed, distorted guitar hits are crucial to the song’s success. Another reason for “Eye of the Tiger’s” success are dynamic vocals by Dave Bickler, the lead vocalist from 1978 – 1983.  He brings the tuneful melodies and unforgettable chorus to life.  “Don’t lose your grip on the dreams of the past,” Bickler encourages in the first verse, adding, “You must fight just to keep them alive.” The keyword is FIGHT.  In the second verse, he’s “Hangin’ tough, stayin’ hungry,” adding, “They stack the odds ‘til we take to the street / For the kill with the skill to survive.” Maybe the most motivational lyric comes from the end of the third and final verse: “Went the distance, now I’m not gonna stop / Just a man and his will to survive.”  40+ years later, Survivor continues to lift and motivate us with “Eye of the Tiger”.  It NEVER grows old.

Survivor // Eye of the Tiger // Volcano Entertainment, III, L.L.C. // 1982

Survivor, Eye Of The Tiger: Music Lifts 🎶 🏋 No. 29 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Volcano Entertainment, III, L.L.C.; Monstera Production, Qamar Rehman, RDNE Stock Project, Thomas Ronveaux, Wolrider YURTSEVEN from Pexels; OpenClipart-Vectors, Quốc Hùng Hầu from Pixabay]