John Parr – St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion)

"St. Elmo's Fire(man In Motion)" as written by John Parr and David Foster....
Growin' up, you don't see the writing on the wall
Passin' by, movin' straight ahead, you knew it all
But maybe sometime if you feel the pain
You'll find you're all alone, everything has changed

Play the game, you know you can't quit until it's won
Soldier on, only you can do what must be done
You know in some way you're a lot like me
You're just a prisoner and you're tryin' to break free

I can see a new horizon underneath the blazin' sky
I'll be where the eagle's flying higher and higher
Gonna be your man in motion, all I need is a pair of wheels
Take me where my future's lyin', St. Elmo's Fire

Burning up, don't know just how far that I can go (just how far I go)
Soon be home, only just a few miles down the road
I can make it, I know I can
You broke the boy in me, but you won't break the man

I can climb the highest mountain, cross the wildest sea
I can feel St. Elmo's Fire burnin' in me, burnin' in me

Just once in his life a man has his time, and my time is now, I'm coming alive
I can hear the music playin', I can see the banners fly
Feel like you're back again, and hope ridin' high
Gonna be your man in motion, all I need is a pair of wheels
Take me where my future's lyin', St. Elmo's Fire

I can climb the highest mountain, cross the wildest sea
I can feel St. Elmo's Fire burnin' in me

Burnin', burnin' in me, I can feel it burnin'
Ooh, burnin' inside of me
Ooh, burnin' inside of me
Ooh, burnin' inside of me


Lyrics submitted by Boonechic_21, edited by alpineinc

"St. Elmo's Fire" as written by John Stephen Parr David Foster

Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.

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St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion) song meanings
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15 Comments

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  • +5
    General CommentThe song is about growing up, keeping your head high and do what needs to be done, no matter what. Fulfilling your dreams, don't stop believing.
    I listen this song every time I get the feeling I can't do something. When I feel like giving up, this one is the right cure. When I got news that would've made sure my dreams would never come true this one came on the radio the following morning and I just couldn't stop crying.... Great song.
    Tamsimon January 21, 2011   Link
  • +3
    General CommentThis song, I believe is about RIck Hansen. He is a Canadian who suffered a terrible accident and was rendered parlyzed from the waste down. He has 'wheeled' himself all over the world (over 40,000km) to raise money and awareness for spinal chord injuries. The song was written two years after Rick's Man In Motion tour began (1985). There are lines like "All I need is a pair of wheels" And "Growing Up, You Don't See The Writing On The Wall"
    Great Song

    Brian
    bfurtadoon September 15, 2002   Link
  • +2
    General CommentFun fact: St. Elmo's Fire is a weather effect usually witnessed as a nimbus of light around the mastheads of sailing ships. Usually taken as the Saint watching over your ship.

    Most motivational song in history. I have never managed to listen to this and stay in anything but a really energetic cheerful mood.
    traviswrdunbaron July 22, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General CommentI think its about the movie St.Elmo's Fire.....not mountain climbing
    DrFeelgood03on April 08, 2003   Link
  • +1
    General CommentAbout determination, strength, gumption
    Smokleron August 21, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Commenti loved the movie st. elmo's fire. it was greatt :]]

    i love this song too.
    koolestlozerevaon July 23, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI got no idea what the true meaning behind this song is, but to me, it's a song about being determined to do anything -- to prove yourself to the world in a way.
    KattHikarioftheTurkson October 05, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General CommentDrFeelgood03: John Parr said in an interview that this song was about a man in a wheelchair and he was just fine with SEF the movie using it.
    limoon March 05, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General CommentThis song is about the strength and determination that people can have. It was also used very appropriately in the movie St. Elmo's Fire to show Emilio Estevez and his companion's struggles with transition,, but still trying to make it better.
    Hydra2on April 24, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General CommentWhen I hear this song I feel a dynamic fire inside my spirit, as if I could fire my body like an arrow from the bow of my soul. I will take my hand and put it over my heart and stand there gazing up at a 30 degree angle, usually facing west (the direction in which one must chase the sun, live to the last minute, never give up).

    I feel the power to get up from the dust, will myself through the pain, and hurl myself back into the fray.

    I also feel the eyes of some feminine presence watching me, in awe. She is drawn to worship the intensity of my firey masculinity and surrender herself to my devouring flame!
    Wenaolongon March 07, 2011   Link

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