Survivor – Eye of the Tiger

As soon as the first guitar strings start to ring, you recognize the song. You’ve heard it a million times before, but there is something about what this song means, what it captures in emotion, energy, determination and motivation. Scenes from its movie origin probably flash through your mind as you hear the core beat of the song begin to ring:

“Dun. Dun Dun Dun. Dun Dun Dun. Dun Dun Duuuune.”

Right away, your heart begins to beat faster until it catches the rhythm as if it could hear the music too. Your senses start to focus more acutely on your surroundings and the tasks at hand. Your skin starts to get goose bumps. Your hands start to tingle and your muscles grow poised and alert, ready to take action, ready to accomplish anything. The beat quickens. You breathe big and deep, feeling energy flow rapidly through your veins like a fire coming to life as it takes its first breaths of oxygen.

“Risin’ 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…”

Like a put-back jam in the first possession of a basketball game, a leadoff home run or an early goal, the first verse sets the tone for the rest of the song. I’ve been here before. I’ve tasted the pain of losing. I’ve worked hard and made myself better, smarter, stronger for the next time. I am back and I know what I’m here to do. Nothing is going to hold me back.

“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”

Remembering where you’ve been can be one of the biggest motivators to get you to where you want to be. However, it is not just the memory of loss or failure that truly motivates; it is remembering the emotions and the anguish of coming up short. It is immersing yourself in the complex (yet powerful) cocktail of feelings that overwhelmed you when the failure still freshly stung. It is remembering the moments that lead to the failure and understanding how to change your fate at the next opportunity. Although you should never let these memories bring you down, forgetting them altogether will leave you alienated from the layers of work and determination that you built along the path to success.

“It’s the eye of the tiger, it’s the thrill of the fight; Risin’ up to the challenge of our rival; And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night; And he’s watchin’ us all with the eye of the tiger”

The chorus, oh, the chorus. The words billow out through your speakers or your headphones as your body and your mind are already in a motivation-frenzy. Every muscle in your body feels stronger. Your mind feels sharper, quicker. Fear is all but removed and replaced with confidence and determination. And these words only further stoke your inner fire. You don’t just accept the challenge ahead, you greet it with a certain eagerness to jump into the throes of competition that only comes when you are ready, willing, focused and prepared. The tiger analogy only becomes more keenly appropriate for this moment, these feelings. Your mind, body and spirit are aligned in perfect harmony as you lie ready to pounce on the opportunity as soon as it presents itself.

And so the song and its rhythm and energy pound methodically on through two more verses, booming out as the audio reincarnation of your motivation and determination. Regardless of whether it’s a deliverable at work, a lifting session, a sports game or even a long run in your sweatpants through a cool, rainy night (seems so specifically appropriate huh?), the words and the beat bring your energy to a new level. You push yourself to go a little farther, lift a little more or run a little faster. You don’t question your abilities, but instead you question (and test) their limits. You feel capable of anything and your mind only reinforces that thought. You feel The Drive to succeed. This is what a true motivational song should do and Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger” is the poster child for pump-up jam.

Check out yesterday’s song on The Drive Soundtrack!

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Sometimes reading the words doesn’t always pack enough punch. Even a picture doesn’t do it justice. But hearing it? I’m listening. This week, we are putting together a mini-playlist of songs that are at the top of the playlist when embarking on a tough workout or a long run. These songs will not only serve as your inspiration but also represent the message we seek to share at The Drive. Listen, read then get going, you’ve got some dreams to chase!

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Thanks for checking out the Daily Driver post on “The Drive.”  Come back every day for daily quotes, pictures, people or moments that we hope can provide inspiration or motivation in your life. Or follow us on Twitter @TheDriveSports and look for #DailyDriver to get your daily dose of inner fire!