Monday, August 1, 2016

Eye of the Tiger by Survivor (1982)



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

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

Face to face, out in the heat
Hanging tough, staying hungry
They stack the odds still we take to the street
For the kill with the skill to survive

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

Rising up, straight to the top
Had the guts, got the glory
Went the distance, now I'm not gonna stop
Just a man and his will to survive

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

The eye of the tiger
The eye of the tiger
The eye of the tiger
The eye of the tiger

Source: azlyrics.com



Analysis 

This song represents an athlete that is doing well. He's done his time and has the reputation of being good. However, the writer is trying to tell the listeners not to settle for just having a reputation. The writer is trying to tell the listeners to go the distance and keep on fighting. He wants you to hold on to that original dream or goal of yours and keep chasing it. Do not settle for good, keep on chasing greatness. This is why I love this song. Too many times, athletes become complacent. They forget how hard they have worked to get where they are. The theme of this song is to not settle—give it your all and live up to be the best you can be.  

The biggest literary device used to portray this theme is tone. The tone of this song is very motivating. Notice the diction the author uses in conjunction with the rhythm—"They stack the odds still we take to the street/ For the kill with the skill to survive". Also, the symbolism used of a tiger. This tiger who stalks his prey at night and does whatever it takes to survive. This represents a dedicated athlete who pays the price with blood, sweat, and tears to achieve his/her dreams. Repetition is used at the end of the song to really drive the theme home. "The eye of the tiger" is repeated four times as a stand alone verse. This is to emphasize the symbolism the writer uses in the song. To drive the importance of giving it your all and never giving up on your dreams.  

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