Sportsong of the Week #9

"Eye of the Tiger"

Survivor

1982

If I would be in a band and Sylvester Stallone requests to write a song for the movie Rocky III, I don't think I would have the balls to decline and would make sure it was gonna be a pretty epic song. In 1982 this happened to Survivor when they actually got this request. And boy did they deliver! Sportsong of the Week #9 is the absolute classic Eye of the Tiger.

Sly only went to Survivor because he was unable to get permission for Queen's Another One Bites The Dust. It meant the big breakthrough of Survivor. According to Billboard it was the #1 song of 1982 and it won a Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal as well. Rocky III, the third installment in the Rocky film series, was one of the hottest movies of the year and marks the film debuts of Mr. T as James "Clubber" Lang and of professional wrestler Hulk Hogan as the supporting character "Thunderlips".

Now it's one of the most recognized sport songs ever. A lot of people listen to it to get pumped in the gym or before a game. Hoping to work out and have the strength of Rocky Balbao. I pity the fool who doesn't get goosebumps listening to this one!

(Below the music video with Survivor)

Full lyrics "Eye of the Tiger" - Survivor

Rising up, back on the street Did my time, took my chances Went the distance, now I'm back on my feet Just a man and his will to survive So many times it happens too fast You trade your passion for glory Don't lose your grip on the dreams of the past You must fight just to keep them alive It's the eye of the tiger It's the thrill of the fight Rising up to the challenge of our rival And the last known survivor Stalks his prey in the night And he's watching us all with the eye of the tiger Face to face, out in the heat Hanging tough, staying hungry They stack the odds still we take to the street For the kill with the skill to survive It's the eye of the tiger It's the thrill of the fight Rising up to the challenge of our rival And the last known survivor Stalks his prey in the night And he's watching us all with the eye of the tiger Rising up, straight to the top Had the guts, got the glory Went the distance, now I'm not gonna stop Just a man and his will to survive It's the eye of the tiger It's the thrill of the fight Rising up to the challenge of our rival And the last known survivor Stalks his prey in the night And he's watching us all with the eye of the tiger The eye of the tiger The eye of the tiger The eye of the tiger The eye of the tiger