St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion)

Last updated

"St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion)"
StElmosFire.jpg
Single by John Parr
from the album St. Elmo's Fire (soundtrack) and John Parr
B-side
  • "Treat Me Like an Animal"
  • "Somebody Stole My Thunder"
  • "One Love" (instrumental)
  • "Georgetown"
Released13 June 1985 [1]
Genre
Length4:08
Label Atlantic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) David Foster
John Parr singles chronology
"Magical"
(1985)		"St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion)"
(1985)		"Love Grammar"
(1985)
Music video
"St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion)" on YouTube

"St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion)" is a song by British singer John Parr from the 1985 film St. Elmo's Fire . It hit No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart on 7 September 1985, remaining there for two weeks. It was the main theme for Joel Schumacher's film, and first single from the soundtrack. The song was created and edited within 24 hours. [4]

Contents

The record peaked at No. 6 in the United Kingdom, Parr's home country, [5] and became a No. 1 hit for him around the world, and provided many awards and a Grammy nomination.

The song did not initially feature on Parr's studio albums, only appearing on the London Records re-release of his self-titled debut album in the United Kingdom. [6]

Members of the bands Toto, REO Speedwagon and Mr. Mister appear on the recording.

Background and writing

David Foster and John Parr were contracted to write a song for the film, but Parr struggled with inspiration for the lyrics. Foster showed Parr a news clip about the Canadian athlete Rick Hansen, who at the time was going around the world in his wheelchair to raise awareness for spinal cord injuries. His journey was called the "Man in Motion Tour". Parr decided to help the campaign by writing words that would fit vaguely with the film, but which directly referenced Hansen's efforts. [7] [8]

Personnel

During the late 1980s and early 1990s, Ford played the song in advertisements for its Mustang Pony car.

In 2012, John Parr re-recorded the song with new lyrics, dubbed "Tim Tebow's Fire", to honor Tim Tebow of the Denver Broncos. [9] Parr stated to Denver FOX affiliate KDVR, "I was inspired by Tim Tebow so I wanted to modify the lyrics...in his honor of the way that he lives his life as being a great example." [10]

A snippet of the chorus was briefly played on The Simpsons ’ 1994 episode "Sideshow Bob Roberts". At first, Homer is driving while listening to a right-wing talk radio host, when his 8-year old daughter Lisa complains, Homer tells her "when you're driving, we'll listen to your radio station". The song then starts playing, and the scene cuts to Lisa driving with Homer as passenger, who then wants to switch back. [11] [12]

In 2017, it was heard on the short film Deadpool: No Good Deed . [13] It was also used in the 2018 animated film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and in the 2024 film MaXXXine .

In 2020-21, during Conan's stint at the Largo Theater, the song was part of a running gag, with different lyrics set to the tune of the chorus, while Conan O'Brien looked at a different camera often with a fan blowing wind in his face. [14]

The song re-entered the UK Singles Chart in 2023 when it was featured on an advert for Virgin Media. [15]

Japanese singer Hironobu Kageyama released a cover version in 1983. [16]

Music video

The music video features all seven of the main cast of the film St. Elmo's Fire looking sadly through the foggy windows of a run-down and fire-damaged version of the St. Elmo's Bar set. The video was directed by Kort Falkenberg III, who devised the concept with the film's director, Joel Schumacher. The production company only had Parr for a single day before he had to go back to England, so the shoot had to be done in exactly 24 hours.

The Canadian version of the video intersperses images of Rick Hansen's trek with those of the film.

The ending of the video shows Parr singing to each individual cast member from the film before he disappears into the night, and the cast follows him.

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada) [44] Gold50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI) [45] Silver250,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

CountryDate
United StatesJune 1985
United KingdomAugust 1985

Related Research Articles

<i>St. Elmos Fire</i> (film) 1985 American coming-of-age film

St. Elmo's Fire is a 1985 American coming-of-age film co-written and directed by Joel Schumacher and starring Emilio Estevez, Rob Lowe, Andrew McCarthy, Demi Moore, Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy, Andie MacDowell and Mare Winningham. It centers on a clique of recent graduates of Washington, D.C.'s Georgetown University, and their adjustment to post-university life and the responsibilities of adulthood. The film is a prominent movie of the Brat Pack genre. It received negative reviews from critics but was a box-office hit, grossing $37.8 million on a $10 million budget.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stand by Me (Ben E. King song)</span> 1961 single by Ben E. King

"Stand by Me" is a song originally performed in 1961 by American singer-songwriter Ben E. King and written by him, along with Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, who together used the pseudonym Elmo Glick. According to King, the title is derived from, and was inspired by, a spiritual written by Sam Cooke and J. W. Alexander called "Stand by Me Father", recorded by the Soul Stirrers with Johnnie Taylor singing lead.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iris (song)</span> 1998 song by Goo Goo Dolls

"Iris" is a song by the American alternative rock band Goo Goo Dolls. Written for the soundtrack of the 1998 film City of Angels, it was included on the sixth Goo Goo Dolls album, Dizzy Up the Girl, and released as a single on April 1, 1998. No character named Iris appears in the film, and the song title is not heard in the lyrics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Parr</span> English musician (born 1952)

John Stephen Parr is an English musician, singer, and songwriter, best known for his 1985 single "St. Elmo's Fire ", charting at No.1 in the US and No.6 in the UK, and for his 1984 US No.6 rock single "Naughty Naughty". He has written and performed ten major motion picture theme songs, including the themes for Three Men and a Baby and The Running Man. Parr was nominated for a Grammy award for "St. Elmo's Fire" in 1985.

"A Whole New World" is the signature song from Disney's 1992 animated feature film Aladdin, with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Tim Rice. A duet originally recorded by singers Brad Kane and Lea Salonga in their respective roles as the singing voices of the main characters Aladdin and Jasmine, the ballad serves as both the film's love and theme song. Lyrically, "A Whole New World" describes Aladdin showing the confined princess a life of freedom and the pair's acknowledgment of their love for each other while riding on a magic carpet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Big Yellow Taxi</span> 1970 single by Joni Mitchell

"Big Yellow Taxi" is a song written, composed, and originally recorded by Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell in 1970, and originally released on her album Ladies of the Canyon. It was a hit in her native Canada as well as Australia and the UK. It only reached No. 67 in the US in 1970, but was later a bigger hit there for her in a live version released in 1974, which peaked at No. 24. Charting versions have also been recorded by the Neighborhood, and most notably by Amy Grant in 1995 and Counting Crows in 2002. The song was also sampled in Janet Jackson's "Got 'til It's Gone" (1997).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Everybody Wants to Rule the World</span> 1985 single by Tears for Fears

"Everybody Wants to Rule the World" is a song by English pop rock band Tears for Fears from their second studio album Songs from the Big Chair (1985). It was written by Roland Orzabal, Ian Stanley, and Chris Hughes and produced by Hughes. It was released on 22 March 1985 by Phonogram, Mercury, and Vertigo Records as the third single from the album. "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" is a new wave and synth-pop song with lyrics that detail the desire humans have for control and power and centre on themes of corruption.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American Woman</span> 1970 single by the Guess Who

"American Woman" is a song by Canadian rock band the Guess Who, released January 1970, from the album of the same name. It was later released in March 1970 as a single backed with "No Sugar Tonight", and it reached number one for three weeks commencing May 9 on both the United States' Billboard Hot 100 and the Canadian RPM magazine singles chart. Billboard magazine placed the single at number three on the Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1970 list, and it was listed as number five for 1970 on the RPM Year-End Chart. On May 22, 1970, the single was certified as gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It also reached the top ten in the Netherlands, Switzerland and Austria, and the top twenty in the United Kingdom and New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ghostbusters (song)</span> 1984 single by Ray Parker Jr.

"Ghostbusters" is a song written by American musician Ray Parker Jr. as the theme to the 1984 film Ghostbusters, and included on its soundtrack. Debuting at number 68 on June 16, 1984, the song peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on August 11, staying there for three weeks, and at No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart on September 16, staying there for three weeks. The song reentered the UK Top 75 on November 2, 2008 at No. 49 and again on November 5, 2021, at No. 38.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Power of Love (Huey Lewis and the News song)</span> 1985 single by Huey Lewis and the News

"The Power of Love" is a 1985 single by Huey Lewis and the News, written for the soundtrack of the 1985 blockbuster film Back to the Future. The song became the band's first number-one hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and their second number-one hit on the U.S. Mainstream Rock chart. In the United Kingdom, it was released as a double-A side with "Do You Believe in Love," becoming the band's only top ten hit on the UK Singles Chart. The song is included alongside "Back in Time" on the film's soundtrack, and appears as a bonus track on international editions of the band's fourth studio album, Fore!

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm on Fire</span> 1985 single by Bruce Springsteen

"I'm on Fire" is a song written and performed by American rock performer Bruce Springsteen. Released in 1985, it was the fourth single from his album Born in the U.S.A.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nikita (song)</span> 1985 single by Elton John

"Nikita" is a song by English musician Elton John from his 19th studio album, Ice on Fire (1985). It was released as the album's lead single on 4 October 1985, charting at number three on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number seven in the United States, and reaching the top 10 worldwide, topping the charts of eight countries. The song features George Michael on backing vocals and Nik Kershaw on guitar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues</span> 1983 song by Elton John

"I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues" is a song by English musician Elton John, with music by John and Davey Johnstone and lyrics by Bernie Taupin, released as the first single from John's 17th studio album Too Low for Zero. It was the first single since 1975's "Someone Saved My Life Tonight" to feature the classic lineup of the Elton John Band.

Somewhere Out There (<i>An American Tail</i> song) 1986 single by Linda Ronstadt and James Ingram

"Somewhere Out There" is a song released by MCA Records and recorded by American singers Linda Ronstadt and James Ingram for the soundtrack of the animated feature film An American Tail (1986). The song was written by James Horner, Barry Mann, and Cynthia Weil, and produced by Peter Asher and Steve Tyrell. It reached number eight in the United Kingdom, number six in Ireland, and number two in both the United States and Canada.

<i>John Parr</i> (album) 1984 studio album by John Parr

John Parr is the debut album by John Parr, released in 1984. It contains 3 Billboard Top 100 songs: "Magical" which peaked at #73, "Love Grammar" at #89, and the biggest of the three, "Naughty Naughty", which peaked at #23 and was a top 10 AOR hit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naughty Naughty (John Parr song)</span> 1984 single by John Parr

"Naughty Naughty" is the debut single by English rock musician John Parr, released in November 1984 as the lead single from his debut self-titled studio album. The song was Parr's first U.S. top 40 hit record, reaching No. 23 on the Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Grammar</span> 1985 single by John Parr

"Love Grammar" is a song by English singer and musician John Parr, released in 1985 as the third single from his self-titled debut album (1984). The song was written and produced by Parr.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Restless Heart (John Parr song)</span> 1988 single by John Parr

"Restless Heart" (a.k.a. "Running Away with You (Restless Heart)") is a song by the English singer/musician John Parr, which was released in 1988 as a soundtrack single from the 1987 feature film The Running Man. It was written by Parr and German musician/composer Harold Faltermeyer, and produced by Faltermeyer. The power ballad would later be included on Parr's third studio album Man with a Vision, released in 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">We Don't Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)</span> 1985 single by Tina Turner

"We Don't Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)" is a song written by Graham Lyle and Terry Britten. It was recorded by American singer Tina Turner for the soundtrack album to the 1985 film Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, which starred Mel Gibson and Turner. On the heels of Turner's multiplatinum album Private Dancer (1984), the song was released as an edited 7-inch single, while the full album version was released as a 12-inch single and on the film's soundtrack album. In the United Kingdom, a shaped picture disc was also issued. The power ballad received a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Original Song and a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. In 1986, the song received the Ivor Novello Awards for Best Contemporary Song and Best Film Theme or Song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Two Hearts (John Parr song)</span> 1986 song by John Parr

"Two Hearts" is a song by English singer and musician John Parr, released in 1986 as a single from the soundtrack of the 1986 American sports drama film American Anthem. The song, written and produced by Parr, was also included on Parr's second studio album Running the Endless Mile (1986).

References

  1. ↑ "FMQB" (PDF). p. 32.
  2. ↑ Breihan, Tom (23 October 2020). "The Number Ones: John Parr's "St. Elmo's Fire (Man In Motion)". Stereogum . Retrieved 2 August 2023. Musically, "St. Elmo's Fire (Man In Motion)" is also right in that weirdly-satisfying mid-'80s radio-rock zone.
  3. ↑ Abercrombie, Olivia; Mitchell, Matt (10 March 2024). "The 50 Best Original Songs Written for Films". Paste . Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  4. ↑ Parr, John (10 March 2018), John Parr The One Show Interview, archived from the original on 21 December 2021, retrieved 6 March 2019
  5. ↑ Farrar, Doug (10 January 2012). "John Parr re-records the 'St. Elmo's Fire' theme song with Tebow-centric lyrics | Shutdown Corner - Yahoo! Sports". Sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
  6. ↑ Original copy of album #LOnLP 12
  7. ↑ (12 January 2012). "John Parr Rewrites 'St. Elmo's Fire' As Valentine To Tebow", NPR. Retrieved 8 October 2012.
  8. ↑ (27 October 2010). "Foster's song struck chord with Johns Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine ", The Province . Retrieved 8 October 2012.
  9. ↑ KDVRDenver (9 January 2012). ""Tim Tebow's Fire" by John Parr". YouTube. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
  10. ↑ "'St. Elmo's Fire' singer reworks 1980's hit for Tim Tebow". FOX 31 Denver. 9 January 2012. Archived from the original on 17 January 2012. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  11. ↑ Director: Mark Kirkland; Writer: Bill Oakley & Josh Weinstein (9 October 1994). "Sideshow Bob Roberts". The Simpsons. Season 6, Episode 5. Fox.
  12. ↑ ThingsICantFindOtherwise (14 January 2016). When YOU'RE Driving, We Can Listen To YOUR Radio Station (The Simpsons) . Retrieved 13 July 2024– via YouTube.
  13. ↑ Dan Wickline (4 March 2017). "Deadpool: No Good Deed Brings A Basket Of Easter Eggs". Bleeding Cool.
  14. ↑ "VIDEO: Conan O'Brien's Parody Of 'St. Elmo's Fire' With Rob Gronkowski, Others". SB Nation Boston. 17 January 2012. Archived from the original on 14 May 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  15. ↑ "Hang gliding goat returns Doncaster rocker John Parr to charts after 38 years". Doncaster Free Press. 20 July 2023. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  16. ↑ "【7″】影山ヒロノブ セント・エルモス・ファイアー（日本語ヴァージョン）/ ベイエリアの風 | VINYL SHOP shiosairec powered by BASE". VINYL SHOP shiosairec (in Japanese). Retrieved 19 November 2024.
  17. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 . St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  18. ↑ "John Parr – St Elmo's Fire (Man In Motion)" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  19. ↑ "John Parr – St Elmo's Fire (Man In Motion)" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  20. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0573." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  21. ↑ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 9307." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  22. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – St Elmo's Fire". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  23. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 43, 1985" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  24. ↑ "John Parr – St Elmo's Fire (Man In Motion)" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  25. ↑ "John Parr – St Elmo's Fire (Man In Motion)". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  26. ↑ "John Parr – St Elmo's Fire (Man In Motion)". VG-lista. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  27. ↑ "SA Charts 1965–March 1989" . Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  28. ↑ "John Parr – St Elmo's Fire (Man In Motion)". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  29. ↑ "John Parr – St Elmo's Fire (Man In Motion)". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  30. ↑ "John Parr: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  31. ↑ "John Parr Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  32. ↑ "John Parr Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  33. ↑ "John Parr Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  34. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – John Parr – St Elmo's Fire (Man In Motion)" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  35. ↑ "OLiS – oficjalna lista airplay" (Select week 08.06.2024–14.06.2024.) (in Polish). OLiS . Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  36. ↑ "Kent Music Report No 599 – 30 December 1985 > National Top 100 Singles for 1985". Kent Music Report . Retrieved 23 January 2023– via Imgur.
  37. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 1985" (in Dutch). Ultratop . Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  38. ↑ "RPM's Top 100 Singles of 1985". RPM . Vol. 43, no. 16. 28 December 1985. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
  39. ↑ Musicoutfitters.com
  40. ↑ Cash Box Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles, December 28, 1985
  41. ↑ "Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1985" (in German). GfK Entertainment . Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  42. ↑ "Top 20 Hit Singles of 1986" . Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  43. ↑ "Billboard Hot 100 60th Anniversary Interactive Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  44. ↑ "Canadian single certifications – John Parr – St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion)". Music Canada . Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  45. ↑ "British single certifications – John Parr – St. Elmo's Fire". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 2 August 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.