From S/T (single)
Written by David Foster & John Parr
UK rocker John Parr reached the zenith of his career when he was asked by David Foster to collaborate on the soundtrack of the 1985 hit movie “St. Elmo’s Fire.” The result of their partnership was the #1 hit “St. Elmo’s Fire (Man In Motion).” Radio programmers and audiences embraced this powerful mainstream rock anthem to make it a worldwide success. It was certified gold for sales over 500,000 copies in the US alone. Key elements of “St. Elmo’s Fire (Man In Motion)” are Foster’s hi-tech production plus the upbeat arrangement with keyboards, guitars and horns to complement Parr’s passionate and strong vocal performance. The singer’s powerful tenor voice soars to underline the positive message of the song. The inspiration for this message of hope and strength was the incredible achievements of Rick Hansen, a disabled athlete who is a Canadian legend and Foster’s very close friend. Hansen adopted “St. Elmo’s Fire (Man In Motion)” as his personal theme song. On the heels of this great success, Parr and Foster teamed up in 1987 for another project, “The Minute I Saw You,” co-written with Carole Bayer Sager and Marvin Hamlish for the blockbuster movie “Three Man And A Baby.” It is another radio-friendly rocker that should have been released as a single. It is another example of Foster’s great ear and Parr’s vocal talent.
Listen
[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/saint_elmo_s_fire_(man_in_motion).mp3|titles=Saint Elmo’s fire (man in motion)|artists=John Parr]
Lead Vocals: John Parr
Keyboards: David Foster
Synthesizer Programming & Keyboards: Steve Porcaro
Guitars: Michael Landau
Horns: Jerry Hey, Gary Grant, Larry Williams & Bill Reichenbach
Produced & Arranged by David Foster
Horns Arranged by David Foster & Jerry Hey
Lyrics
Growin’ up, you don’t see the writing on the wall
Passin’ by, movin’ straight ahead, you knew it all
But maybe sometime if you feel the pain
You’ll find you’re all alone, everything has changed
Play the game, you know you can’t quit until it’s won
Soldier on, only you can do what must be done
You know in some way you’re a lot like me
You’re just a prisoner and you’re tryin’ to break free
I can see a new horizon underneath the blazin’ sky
I’ll be where the eagle’s flying higher and higher
Gonna be your man in motion, all I need is a pair of wheels
Take me where my future’s lyin’, St. Elmo’s Fire
Burning up, don’t know just how far that I can go (just how far I go)
Soon be home, only just a few miles down the road
I can make it, I know I can
You broke the boy in me, but you won’t break the man
I can see a new horizon underneath the blazin’ sky
I’ll be where the eagle’s flying higher and higher
Gonna be your man in motion, all I need is a pair of wheels
Take me where my future’s lyin’, St. Elmo’s Fire
I can climb the highest mountain, cross the wildest sea
I can feel St. Elmo’s Fire burnin’ in me, burnin’ in me
Just once in his life a man has his time
and my time is now, I’m coming alive
I can hear the music playin’, I can see the banners fly
Feel like you’re back again, and hope ridin’ high
Gonna be your man in motion, all I need is a pair of wheels
Take me where my future’s lyin’, St. Elmo’s Fire
I can see a new horizon underneath the blazin’ sky
I’ll be where the eagle’s flying higher and higher
Gonna be your man in motion, all I need is a pair of wheels
Take me where my future’s lyin’, St. Elmo’s Fire
I can climb the highest mountain, cross the wildest sea
I can feel St. Elmo’s Fire burnin’ in me
Burnin’, burnin’ in me, I can feel it burnin’
Oooh, burnin’ inside of me… (to fade)