written by David Foster and John Parr

produced by David Foster

​

Once in a while... a song comes along that impacts you so

powerfully, so positively, so viscerally, on every level... it’s destined

to stick with you forever as one of your all-time favorites. And

though its novelty will wear off like anything else after enough

listenings, your appreciation for its sheer brilliance, and the way it makes you feel, will never really wane. And yes, this is going exactly where you thought.

​

The mid-’80s movie scene reflected a different shade of musical nuance from the era’s straightforward music/recording realm itself. Astute listeners will detect a touch of narrative sophistication in the mainstream film and soundtrack hits, as opposed to your favorite artist/band writing and recording their standard album. The movie’s soundtrack and score help tell the story and move it along for you, after all. In a case like this, score artist David Foster, who scored the Brat Pack film St. Elmo’s Fire, also co-wrote the theme song with pop rocker John Parr, who caught David’s attention with his song “Naughty Naughty.”

​

John Parr’s a British artist who came from Nottinghamshire, England, and wrote some material for Meat Loaf in the midst of working on his own solo projects. David Foster’s a Canadian composer who was known at the time for producing acts like The Tubes, Chicago and Kenny Loggins. His score to St. Elmo’s Fire contributed to it being one of the quintessential films of 1985.

​

Now... okay. A quintessential film of the ’80s—or any generation—doesn’t necessarily mean it’s good.

Tons of cinema-goers enjoyed Joel Schumacher’s work (who didn’t like Lost Boys?), and like any other director, he’s had his hits and misses. And while Elmo’s performed well at the box office... I do see why some critics panned it—though, don’t get me wrong: I like many elements about it. I do. The music being at the top of the list. St. Elmo’s Fire’s not the “best” ’80s movie out there by any stretch. It’ll startle you, it’ll disturb you... it’ll make you think now and then, gee, was that really necessary?... And a true retro junkie can appreciate it for its unsullied, unadulterated mid-’80s pop culture influence; it’s dead-

on. I snapped up its soundtrack early on, and I love every song on it; I find each one amazing. Trust me, the theme here’s just the... well... okay, it’s a little more than just the iceberg’s tip. There are elements of the film I really don’t like as well, but it remains my favorite soundtrack of all-time.

​

The song resembles a sped-up version of a piece of the score. John wrote the lyrics to align with David’s music. Joel told John he wanted a song about drive, determination, courage... coming of age with issues similar to those faced by the characters in the film. Joel didn’t initially want him to put the movie’s title in the lyrics, but John felt strongly it should be. And while I don’t think he’d have otherwise had much trouble coming up with something else to rhyme with “higher and higher”... I’m with John on this one.

​

They don’t get much higher and more beloved than this in my roster of favorites.

​

Have notes to add? Let me know!

​

YT:

full version

music video

​

John’s official website