“St. Elmo’s Fire (Man in Motion)” is an energetic and inspirational rock anthem performed by British musician John Parr, released in June 1985. The song was written by David Foster and John Parr as the theme song for the American coming-of-age film St. Elmo’s Fire, directed by Joel Schumacher. Despite being tied to the movie, the song’s lyrics are primarily inspired by the story of Canadian athlete Rick Hansen and his “Man in Motion” world tour to raise awareness for spinal cord injuries.
The lyrics convey themes of determination, hope, and resilience. While the song indirectly complements the movie’s themes of young adulthood and finding one’s way, its universal message of perseverance and triumph resonated far beyond the film.
Musically, “St. Elmo’s Fire” is an anthemic rock track with a driving rhythm, powerful guitar riffs, and uplifting synth melodies. Parr’s impassioned vocal delivery, combined with David Foster’s polished production, creates a sense of urgency and emotional intensity. The song’s soaring chorus is both memorable and motivational, making it a classic of 1980s rock.
The song was a massive commercial success, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States and performing well in other countries, including the United Kingdom, where it peaked at No. 6. It became John Parr’s signature hit and remains his best-known song.
The music video, directed by Kort Falkenberg, features scenes from St. Elmo’s Fire intercut with footage of Parr performing, emphasizing the song’s connection to the film while standing as an anthem of its own.