User:Sargent Deez/Holding Out for a Hero
| "Holding Out for a Hero" | |
|---|---|
| |
| Composed by: Jim Steinman | |
| Vocals | Bonnie Tyler |
| Genres | Hi-NRG, pop rock, dance-rock |
| Key | A minor |
| BPM | 149 |
| Time signature(s) | Common time, 3 4 |
| Appears in | Footloose: Original Soundtrack of the Paramount Motion Picture (1984, overall) The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023, Super Mario franchise) |
"Holding Out for a Hero" is a song recorded by Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler and released in January 1984 as a single from the soundtrack to the film Footloose. A power ballad, it was produced by Jim Steinman, who co-wrote it with Dean Pitchford. One minute and 14 seconds of the song are used in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, when Princess Peach trains Mario on an obstacle course. As with the other licensed songs in the movie, "Holding Out for a Hero" is not included on the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.[1]
Composition
"Holding Out for a Hero" is a Hi-NRG,[2][3] pop rock[4] and dance-rock power ballad,[5] that draws influence from disco and the work of Richard Wagner.[2] Most of the song has a time signature of common time, while the bridge is set in 3
4. The key is A minor, with a driving feel created by the major chords in the chorus and a fast tempo of around 149 beats per minute. The piano riff, vocal harmonies and other elements were recycled from a previous Jim Steinman song "Stark Raving Love," from his 1981 solo album, Bad For Good.[6]
The song was shortened to one minute and 14 seconds when included in The Super Mario Bros. Movie. The sample used is mainly from the last two lines of the intro, first verse and chorus, cut to after a few seconds of the keyboard intro
Lyrics
Where have all the good men gone and where are all the gods?
Where's the streetwise Hercules to fight the risin' odds?
Isn't there a white knight upon a fiery steed?
Late at night, I toss and I turn and I dream of what I need
I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero till the end of the night
He's gotta be strong and he's gotta be fast
And he's gotta be fresh from the fight
I need a hero (Hero)
I'm holding out for a hero till the morning light (Hero till the morning light)
He's gotta be sure and it's gotta be soon
And he's gotta be larger than life, larger than life
References
- ^ Key & BPM for Holding Out for a Hero by Bonnie Tyler. Retrieved October 4, 2025 from Tunebat.
- ^ a b Alberto Mulas Caballero (August 16, 2023). 80s disco music. The best disco songs of the 80s. Archived December 6, 2023, 01:20:09 UTC from the original via Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 4, 2025 from Muros de absenta.
- ^ March 27, 2015. No More Heroes?: Steroids, Cocaine, Finance and Film in the 70s. John Hunt Publishing. ISBN 978-1-78279-297-0. Retrieved October 25, 2025.
- ^ Sasaguay, Chris (March 13, 2022). Best Holding out for a Hero Uses, Ranked. Retrieved October 4, 2025 from Collider.
- ^ Damshenas, Sam (December 13, 2022). Adam Lambert announces first-ever covers album High Drama. Retrieved October 5, 2025 from Gay Times.
- ^ Everley, Dave (April 21, 2021). The mad genius of Jim Steinman in seven glorious songs. Retrieved October 5, 2025 from Louder.
