Holding Out For A Hero

Album: Footloose Soundtrack (1984)
Charted: 2 34
Play Video
  • Where have all the good men gone and where are all the Gods?
    Where's the streetwise Hercules to fight the rising 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 'til 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
    I'm holding out for a hero 'til 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

    Somewhere after midnight, in my wildest fantasy
    Somewhere just beyond my reach, there's someone reaching back for me
    Racing on the thunder and rising with the heat
    It's gonna take a Superman to sweep me off my feet, yeah

    I need a hero
    I'm holding out for a hero 'til 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
    I'm holding out for a hero 'til the morning light
    He's gotta be sure and it's gotta be soon
    And he's gotta be larger than life
    I need a hero
    I'm holding out for a hero 'til the end of the night

    Up where the mountains meet the heavens above
    Out where the lightning splits the sea
    I could swear there is someone, somewhere watching me
    Through the wind and the chill and the rain
    And the storm and the flood
    I can feel his approach like a fire in my blood
    (Like a fire in my blood, like a fire in my blood)
    (Like a fire in my blood, like a fire in my, oh, oh)

    I need a hero
    I'm holding out for a hero 'til 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
    I'm holding out for a hero 'til the morning light
    He's gotta be sure and it's gotta be soon
    And he's gotta be larger than life
    I need a hero
    I'm holding out for a hero 'til 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
    I'm holding out for a hero 'til the morning light
    He's gotta be sure and it's gotta be soon
    And he's gotta be larger than life
    I need a hero
    I'm holding out for a hero Writer/s: Dean Pitchford, James Richard Steinman
    Publisher: ACUM Ltd., Independent Digital, Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 13

  • Ryan from Boston UsaI can't believe this song is taken seriously. When I first heard it I thought it was a colossal joke. Somebody trying to out-camp anything that's ever been released before.
    Glad y'all loved it. I can't get past the 2nd line. Too frenetic.
  • Mandy from HerefordshireSomeone is looking for something to hold out for a chancer whos always going be what they make themselves quite accessible to be doing good things with their time making the best of just a person who makes a person feel safe though a storm
  • Shawn from Green Bay, WiThis song is certainly among the most ever used for movies. It is played in Footloose, Shrek 2, Short Circuit 2, and Who's Harry Crumb? Among others.
  • Dawn from Palmerston North, New ZealandYou were right Terry, Washington DC. It was the theme for the series Cover Up. I just recalled watching it.
  • Dawn from Palmerston North, New ZealandThis song was also on a David Copperfield (the magician) special when he was flying across the Grand Canyon.
  • Matthew from Milford, MaOn YouTube, this song is featured in a HUGE number of Kingdom Hearts AMVs.
  • Matthew from Milford, MaI like the Bonnie Tyler version. I like Jennifer Saunders's version slightly better, though. Frou Frou's version is also kind of good, but the verses are sort of flat.
  • Terry from Washington, DcGosh, I love this song. I think I love it because it was the theme song to "Cover Up", a TV series from 1984. The show originally starred Jennifer O'Neill, Richard Anderson and the impossibly handsome Jon-Erik Hexum.

    Great to know that the writer of the song also wrote all those other anthem-like tracks. Nice portfolio of "get psyched" tunes.

    -Terry in Washington, DC
  • Thomas from Walla Walla, WaIt was also used for a promo by a film company to push older movies like top gun. I have it on tape somewhere but I don't know which tape.
  • Rob from Wilkes-barre, PaYes, there are two versions in Shrek 2, the one in the credits (which is on the soundtrack) is performed by Frou Frou. The one in the movie, which takes place when Shrek (in man form) rides Donkey (in Stallion form) to break up the ceremony, and is shown being performed by the Fairy Godmother; Jennifer Saunders, the voice of this character is actually singing it, so her version is the version actually used in the movie.
  • Paul from Galway, IrelandI love this song. I love Bonnie. Much Better than "total eclipse of the heart". This is catchy. UNREAL
  • Jason from Seaside, Ca2 versions were in Shrek 2, one in the movie, and a different one for the credits.
  • Aj from Cleveland, Gai love this song, being the Bonnie Tyler fan that I am.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Art Alexakis of Everclear

Art Alexakis of EverclearSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer of Everclear, Art is also their primary songwriter.

La La Brooks of The Crystals

La La Brooks of The CrystalsSong Writing

The lead singer on "Da Doo Ron Ron" and "Then He Kissed Me," La La explains how and why Phil Spector replaced The Crystals with Darlene Love on "He's A Rebel."

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About Transgenderism

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About TransgenderismSong Writing

A history of songs dealing with transgender issues, featuring Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Morrissey and Green Day.

Lajon Witherspoon of Sevendust

Lajon Witherspoon of SevendustSongwriter Interviews

The Sevendust frontman talks about the group's songwriting process, and how trips to the Murder Bar helped forge their latest album.

Jon Anderson of Yes

Jon Anderson of YesSongwriter Interviews

From the lake in "Roundabout" to Sister Bluebird in "Starship Trooper," Jon Anderson talks about how nature and spirituality play into his lyrics for Yes.

Angelo Moore of Fishbone

Angelo Moore of FishboneSongwriter Interviews

Fishbone has always enjoyed much more acclaim than popularity - Angelo might know why.