Drago!

You know what are some pretty good movies? The Rocky movies. A driving force behind the story of an underdog who goes the distance and then makes it to the top is the music.

At some point or another, you've probably done a few pushups while humming "Gonna Fly Now"

Admit it. Or don't.

Good movies (except for Rocky V) and pretty awesome music.

Whenever I listen to John Cafferty's "Hearts on Fire", I have to refrain from shouting "Drago!" at the top of my lungs.

I try to avoid "Eye of the Tiger" whenever possible. I'll admit it's a good song but it's not one I like to listen to. My reasoning for this is often paradoxical but still somewhat sensical, I believe.

"Eye of the Tiger" is the song that plays over the beginning of Rocky III, the film that introduced audiences to Mr. T. The song plays while Rocky is falling from grace and selling out, while Mr. T (note: I'm probably going to alternate between using Mr. T and Clubber Lang when referring to the same character) is training hard and making his way to the top to be the contender for the title Rocky holds.

Everyone uses the song as motivation to work out and in some way to motivate them to improve their lives and all that. It certainly is inspiring but people often seem to overlook that unlike most other songs from the Rocky movies, it's missing an awesome solo that accounts for at least 40% of the inspiration to get you off your ass and do something.

But what people also often overlook is that the song plays while Mr. T climbs to the top as Rocky descends. The song is being played while the "bad guy" succeeds and the "good guy" plummets.

While the song is about being an underdog it also serves to foreshadow and basically give away most if not all of the movie. The song also has the side effect of also rooting for Mr. T, who is supposed the villain of the movie.

All that at the surface level for conventional skimming thinking, at least.

The argument can be made that the real villain is Rocky or at the very least his fucking bullshit hubris and that Mr. T is just a dick who spurs Rocky to restart from the bottom and get his priorities straight. Not necessarily the villain or an antagonist but a foil because Rocky ultimately gets his act together and eventually goes on to beat the shit out of Clubber Lang. All thanks to Mr. T.

The other argument FOR the song is that it serves as a reminder to stay focused and stay true to yourself. Losing sight of where you came from, who you are, etc serves catastrophe. (Mick)

For what it's worth, the end result is better than what could have been: "You're the Best" playing as Mr. T rises and Rocky falls. It's a good song but it ultimately fits better in The Karate Kid more than it does in Rocky III.

"Eye of the Tiger" is a good song but I prefer "Hearts on Fire" when it comes to the best workout/motivation song from the Rocky series (aside from the permanent classic "Gonna Fly Now").Yeah. That's what's up.

At least, that's how it goes for me.

I believe that song carries a more focused depth, if that makes any sense.

The background for when the song is used is basically Rocky training to avenge Apollo and redeem himself / wash away some of the guilt of having let his friend die. Wouldn't you want to make things right?

You'll notice that for most of the time leading up to the training montage (and the more engaging part of the training montage), Rocky is pretty much half-assing it. Once the song kicks in, you can see him push himself further and harder while we see what he's up against.

It's rather genius to build up an enemy of the time that way as having advantages while Rocky basically pulls himself up from his bootstraps and ultimately conquers his foe. No, it's not propaganda at all. Is the message that America's number 1 and fuck the Commies? Is the message to believe in yourself? Is the message that in order to conquer others you must conquer yourself?

There are a few interpretations for this song.

"It's about motivating yourself to redeem yourself."
"Fight the odds and win."
"It's about motivating yourself to avenge others."

"It's about overcoming yourself in order to accomplish greater things" is probably my favorite because it rings the most true and encompasses other arguments cohesively. It details one's struggle to not only fight their environment and the factors that hold one down

Silent darkness creeps into your soul
and removes the light of self-control

but also realizing that the only limits we have are the ones we impose upon ourselves.

the cave that holds you captive has no doors

Realizing these things, one begins to have some motivation to change things.

burnin' with determination
to even up the score

Then there's more stuff about how far one has to go in order to change things, "Rules and regulations have no meaning anymore." I especially like how the moment of truth is mentioned and hinted at. X being whatever moment of truth you can think of. For Rocky, it's not only running up that fucking mountain to the top and ultimately pummeling Drago. Not only for Apollo (and America) but for himself.

Your moment of truth draws near.

This really seems to ring more true and genuine with the listener though that doesn't discount the plight of the underdog but gives a greater embrace to those who know something is eating them up but can't for the life of them overcome it alone or haven't begun to realize what they can do, who they can be, who they are. Upon realizing that, you're unstoppable.

The solo's pretty bitching, too.