Customer Reviews

Rocky IV: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

5 star:		(61)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Second to the Bible, nothing is more uplifting and inspiring than the Rocky films. From small town nothingness to big city lights, Rocky overcomes his humble beginnings to excel to the heights of stardom. How did he do it? Nothing less than guts, motivation, drive, hard work, and a struggle to establish personal honor. Yet, there is one more thing, and that is nothing less than this WONDERFUL music. Though all the other Rocky soundtracks are great, Rocky IV is the superior. Depressed about your circumstances? Stand strong and take a listen to get instilled with the Eye of the Tiger! Remember, 'There's No Easy Way Out,' but you can do it if you want it bad enough! Overcome! Win, Rocky, Win!

Times have changed. Go take a drive to the bank with the 'Rocky IV' soundtrack playing; if you haven't transcended every ounce of shame in your body by the time your rockin' journey is over, you're likely to head straight for the nearest gun shop, either to shoot yourself or, perhaps more cathartically, to reign terror on every single person in every single automobile that looked at you funny or laughed when they heard 'Hearts on Fire' rule your car's stereo system. That's the thing about our self-conscious, hip selves of today; we look or hear something in the vein of 'Rocky IV' and we tighten up, nervously laugh, and arrogantly dismiss it. Surely we've evolved past this overblown, synth-fest of up tempo rock ballads which uncontrollably scream about how we're gonna climb that mountain all our veiny gusto! Well, it is a fact that a lot of music of late (;indie rock;) has reverted to a similar mentality, but the one thing that truly separates it from music like we have here is that it's done with at least an ounce of mockery, at minimum. Not 'Rocky IV', oh no...

This is utterly genuine, heartfelt passion -- to us, unaware of its own foolish, prideful dancing; to itself, absolutely no hint of such a derogatory note buried within. I'm a cynic -- far more so than most people, I think -- but one thing that I'm still capable of, to this day, is channeling the spirit of energies, of emotions, that are different than my current emotional realities or behaviors. Thus, I slide into 'Rocky IV''s glory ring with submissive ease, and am not only transfered to a Human reality that we've long since forgotten, but a reality that, every time I re-listen to it, I am reminded of how it is always within me -- just because everyone else is too cool to get joy out of something like this doesn't mean I can't. OK, sure -- I'm jumping to conclusions. Maybe... I guarantee that, if I decided to hit up to several dozen people, play them a few songs from this disc, and told them to go driving for ten minutes, windows down and volume at a moderately loud level, they'd decline from potential embarrassment; hell, I would be. Just the state of affairs -- you don't listen to 'Rocky IV' if you're to be respected; you might as well have a mullet.

Anyway, listening to 'Rocky IV' in the comfort of your own home (headphones for the paranoid) reveals its joys. It's all in the vein of overcoming personal obstacles, focused and energetic. The type of music that you would work out to, picturing yourself bare naked and greasy, ripped as Stallone himself, with four Hooters girls in your convertible Cherokee on the way home. It's kind of like getting in touch with that balls to the wall, personal feeling of glory somewhere within you; it just feels a bit perverse because it's so alien. And the tunes are good. They're keen on fun melody, while paving tracks of aggressive rhythm, and possess inspiring, self-help-seminar lyrics. But really, they are solid; fetching in a way that (obviously) wouldn't fly anymore, containing an "I WILL" mentality through and through, courtesy electric guitars, in part. "Burning Heart" and "Hearts on Fire" are the best examples of this fiery, stern spirit, while "No Easy Way Out" smoothly combines this mentality with that "doubt" thing we're so encompassed with these days.

This was the first (and only) 'Rocky' film to feature a fully synthesized score, too, and many people seemed to object the change. I dug it immensely; Vince DiCola's got a seriously distinct voice in this arena (especially regarding film composers), and it's really an enigma why he disappeared from the spotlight shortly after. 'War' and 'Training Montage' are as good as any ballad here, truly enrapturing in tone and drive; you just have to get past that "cheesy" knee-jerk response, if it comes, because when I've tried to play either of those tracks in front of friends, laughs and raising hell seem to be the only responses (no room for appreciation, either). I'm a fan of the most densely orchestrated, erratically structured film music out there, and I still find DiCola's work here freakin' exceptional.

All in all, this album is a portal to 1985, just like the film. Both are quick and slick, but the album manages to come off quite a bit more successfully because it's limited, in a sense. Most the hokey Human drama going around in the film IS laughable; it fares best when it's in the same mode as the music -- vigorous and determined.

This album just rocks from start to finish. A total 80's masterpiece of rock, synth and drama - my only regret is that it took me 18 years to actually by it. Doh!!

There is hardly a bad song on the album, which makes for a really enjoyable listening experience from start to finish. I really loved the instrumentals by Vince Di Cola 'War' and 'Training Montage' - sheer brilliance.

If you are a lover of this sort of music, and of the 80's in general then BUY THIS NOW!!

I'm going to start out by saying the same thing everyone else is: this is an outstanding workout CD. It not only keeps you motivated, but it does so by helping you envision the goals you're striving for with your workout. I've never found so much powerful music together on one CD. I had this on cassette as a kid, but for god only knows what reason, got rid of it. Recently bought it on CD and fell in love with it again. The hands-down favorite is "Heart's on Fire" by John Cafferty. Also great are "The Sweetest Victory" by Touch, "No Easy Way Out" by Robert Tepper, two instrumentals by Vince DiCola, and Rocky soundtrack standbys Survivor, with "Eye of the Tiger" and "Burning Heart".

Being a fan of the Rocky film and of the training scenes in the Rocky films.

I thought the sound track was very insperational for any one who is training in a gym or is a bit depressed and needs a lift up too get them up and ready.

You dont ever have too watch the film too feel the quality of the sound track.

My advice buy it play Hearts on Fire song when your doing a hard run at the gym and it will push you further than u ever been pushed before.

I was not aware of this soundtrack, until I seen it on Amazon, so I bought it (Along with the original Rocky). The training session in Siberia, with Rocky running up the mountain is a classic, and "Heart's On Fire" really fits the scene perfectly. Throw in "Eye Of The Tiger" (From Rocky 3), and you have an unbeatable CD. A must have CD, and it will be a favorite of mine and I have over 200 CDs. Rocky Balboa is one of the greatest characters in the history of cinema, and the music really enhances the films even more. I can't wait until it arrives, it will be played over and over at the gym.

This training music was very helpful in my training I bought it last week, I am 12 and before I bought this cd,I coudn't touch my toes i couldn't do a pushup but now 2 workouts and I can touch my toes and do pushups in a little while I am going to run the mile for my school and I AM going to do better.I am not a gifted athlete,but I am going to work at it.if rocky can do it i can cause i'm livin in america and my heart's on fire and thiers no easy way out for everyone!

Without a doubt, the soundtrack to Rocky IV overall is one of the best ever made. With the exception to tracks 3 and 8, which aren't bad songs, it makes up probably the best workout CD ever. For me personally I recall many memories the New York Rangers 1994 Stanley Cup run with this CD. The songs I most remember on here are "Heart's On Fire", "No Easy Way Out", and "Training Montage". There is no better song to jog to than the Training Montage. It has a PERFECT beat to it. No Easy Way Out is a good song to reflect on a conflict in life. I often listen to it when I am stressed and realize what I have to do to get past it. Heart's on fire is just an awesome motivational song.
Speaking of Heart's on Fire though, this is the only problem I see in it. In the movie, you have Rocky training to Heart's On Fire, but when he makes his mad dash for the mountain, an orchestra takes over with the same beat, to provide the best 2 minutes of music I've ever seen on film. You also hear it in the credits. For some reason though, they've decided to leave it off the soundtrack. If anyone can help me find that piece of music, I'd do anyhthing to repay you!
Other than that 2 minutes that aren't included. This CD is flawless. I still give it a 10/10 and highly recommend you buying it. Dont let those 2 mintues deter you from doing so

so inspirational! gets me going all the time! hearts on fire is da best!

On this 1985 release,Survivor brings us another great hit BURNING HEART. Hey,EYE OOF THE TIGER is on this album also! Another big hit from this album is LIVING IN AMERICA by James Brown. "Weird Al" Yankovic later used the music for his parody LIVING WITH A HERNIA on his 1986 album POLKA PARTY!. More great tracks performed by Sylvester's brother Frank Stallone. This album was released on the Scotti Brothers label,a division of CBS. Survivor was under contract with SB at the time of recording. Yankovic's first label,Rock 'N Roll,was a sub-division of SB. The other songs are great.