Eye of the Tiger

**"Eye of the Tiger"**

General information

Artist
Survivor

Released
1982

Genre
Hard rock

Length
* 4:04 (album version)
* 3:45 (single version)

Label
* EMI Group Limited
* Scotti Brothers Records

Appears on
*Sing For The Gold*

Writer(s)
* Frankie Sullivan
* Jim Peterik

Producer(s)
* Frankie Sullivan
* Jim Peterik

 Chronology

Music video

**"Eye of the Tiger"** is a song composed by American rock band Survivor at the request of American actor, screenwriter, and director Sylvester Stallone. Stallone needed a theme for his 1982 film *Rocky III* after he was denied permission to use his first choice, Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust".  "Eye of the Tiger" was written by guitarist Frankie Sullivan and keyboardist Jim Peterik, and features singer Dave Bickler on lead vocals. A demo version of the song was used in the film, while the complete version appears on Survivor's album of the same name and *Rocky III's* soundtrack.
A shortened version of "Eye of the Tiger" was released as a single the day after Rocky III. It topped record charts worldwide and gained tremendous radio and MTV airplay in 1982. In the United States, "Eye of the Tiger" was Survivor's only song to top the *Billboard* Hot 100, where it stayed for six consecutive weeks. It spent fifteen consecutive weeks in the top ten, tied with Olivia Newton John's "Physical" and the aforementioned "Another One Bites the Dust" as the longest run in the top ten for a number one song in the 1980s. It also peaked at No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart for four consecutive weeks. At the 25th Annual Grammy Awards, "Eye of the Tiger" won Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.
In the TV Spot *Sing For The Gold*, Rosita and her children headbang to "Eye of the Tiger" in the car. Some versions of the TV Spot show a motorcycle gang parked next to Rosita's car startle her, only to begin headbanging themselves.

Lyrics

**[Verse 1]**
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

**[Chorus]**
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

**[Verse 2]**
Face to face, out in the heat
Hanging tough, staying hungry
They stack the odds 'til we take to the street
For the kill with the skill to survive

**[Chorus]**
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

**[Verse 3]**
Rising up, straight to the top
Had the guts, got the glory
Went the distance, now I'm not going to stop
Just a man and his will to survive

**[Chorus]**
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

**[Outro]**
The eye of the tiger
The eye of the tiger
The eye of the tiger
The eye of the tiger

*Read more here...*

References

1. ↑ Holden, Stephen. "THE POP LIFE; RCA GAMBLING ON KENNY ROGERS", *The New York Times*, A. G. Sulzberger, July 28, 1982. Retrieved on July 16, 2019.
2. ↑ Wood, James. "Interview: Guitarist Jim Peterik Talks 'Tiger' and the New Pride of Lions Album, 'Immortal'", *Guitar World*, Future US, Inc., October 19, {{{year}}}. Retrieved on July 16, 2019.
3. ↑ Fischer, Blair R.. "Who's Left?", *Spin*, Bob Guccione, Jr., June 2010, p. 74.
4. ↑ SURVIVOR. Official Charts Company. Retrieved on July 16, 2019.
5. ↑ Artist - Survivor. The Recording Company. Retrieved on July 16, 2019.