Themes Found in Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger"

Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger" was first released in 1982. The song was the title track off the Rocky III soundtrack. As a result, many people consider this song synonymous with the Rocky series. In fact, the song only exists because Sylvester Stallone contracted the band to write a song about a fighter. Keep reading to find out more of the meaning behind the "Eye of the Tiger" lyrics.

Surviving on the street

The lyrics for the first section of the song are fairly easy to interpret. Here they are: 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 This section is clearly an underdog story that alludes to the character Rocky's return to power, as well as to a more generic theme of men in general overcoming hardship on the streets.

Fighting for your dreams

Just like the Rocky series itself is all about fighting to make your dreams come true, "Eye of the Tiger" is about fighting and overcoming adversity to get what you want in life. This is clearly demonstrated in the second section of the song: So many times, it happens too fast You change your passion for glory Don't lose your grip on the dreams of the past You must fight just to keep them alive

The meaning of the eye of the tiger

The title chorus of the song alludes repeatedly to the central metaphor of "the eye of the tiger." This lyric serves as a message that should you never let your guard down because someone or something else is always ready and waiting to take what you have earned.

Develop a new appreciation for the famous Survivor song, "Eye of the Tiger" by learning the meaning behind the lyrics.