Following the journey of boxer Rocky Balboa, Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky franchise stands as some of his most renowned work across his extensive career. After the success of the original 1976 film, the action star reprised his role in multiple films under the franchise, facing off various opponents in the boxing ring. The third film in the series featured Rocky Balboa going off against one of the most iconic adversaries of the franchise, Clubber Lang, portrayed by Mr. T.
The film was a huge hit, grossing, $270 million at the box office. And its theme song, Eye of the Tiger by the rock band Survivor, has become one of the most notable aspects of the film. However, it was not what the makers initially wanted for the movie, as they originally aimed to feature Queen’s Another One Bites the Dust.
Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky 3 Almost Featured A Different Theme Song
The theme song of Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky 3 has become a prime example of how film music can profoundly shape a narrative. Nominated for Best Original Song at the 55th Academy Awards, the track has become synonymous with the franchise.
However, before Survivor produced the iconic hit Eye of the Tiger for Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky 3, the filmmakers were reportedly eyeing a different song, the classic glam rock track from British rock band Queen, Another One Bites the Dust, which didn’t quite align with Rocky 3’s narrative.
Unlike the anthemic Eye of the Tiger, with its 80’s edge, empowering lyrics, and broad instrumentals, Another One Bites the Dust exudes a smoother, more self-assured aura with its poppy sound and boastful lyrics.
And it would have certainly not fit with the film’s theme, as Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky Balboa fights back to get his credibility back as a champion and could have potentially damaged the film. Unfortunately, the filmmakers were unable to get the rights for the song, as the rock band, Queen, was known for being very protective of their music.
Following unsuccessful negotiations, Survivor worked on creating the iconic piece of music Eye of the Tiger, tailored specifically for the film’s tone and narrative, resulting in a perfect fit for Rocky 3.
How Survivor Made Eye of the Tiger?
After being unable to secure rights for Queen’s Another One Bites the Dust, Sylvester Stallone reached out to Survivor seeking a new sound for his film with a specific directive, as the actor wanted a pulsating, street-savvy track.
As per The Guardian, Jim Peterik, Survivor’s guitarist and songwriter has shared that following the release of two underperforming albums, they were concerned that the label would end up dropping them. However, Rocky 3 presented them with a long-awaited opportunity.
Upon viewing a rough cut of Rocky 3, Peterik and his bandmate Frankie Sullivan were inspired by the energy but they also knew they had to surpass the high bar set by Queen’s hit, which was already on the cut they received.
And they started working on the now-famous song. Aligning chord changes with the on-screen punches, the band worked tirelessly to match the intensity of Stallone’s vision.
Not just Stallone’s hit film, Eye of the Tiger also resonated deeply with audiences worldwide, as Peterik recounted that people have shared stories of how the song positively impacted their lives. Eye of the Tiger, not only became Survivor’s breakthrough but also one of the biggest hits of their career.
Rocky 3 is available to stream on Max.
