ROCKY IV Original Soundtrack (with Bonus Track) - A Special Time ...

Was more of a movie to be related to on a universal scale.

This indomitable spirit is best exemplified by the album’s lead-off track “Burning Heart.” The logical sequel to Survivor’s epic, instantly recognizable and painfully unforgettable sports anthem “Eye of the Tiger” finds the central protagonist a bit more mature and refined; world-weary from his battles and exponentially more introspective than he was in his burning youth. This torch is then passed to John Cafferty; whom soundtrack fans will no doubt recognize from his work on Eddie & the Cruisers, Eddie & the Cruisers 2: Eddie Lives and Eddie & the Cruisers: The Unreleased Tapes. Here, Cafferty has replaced his Beaver Brown Band with the urgent, yet mildly dated synthesizer work of Vince Dicola.

Decidedly pacing the album’s soundtrack as well as setting the calm before the storm, the soundtrack producers wisely teamed up Kenny Loggins and Gladys Knight for “Double Or Nothing.” This combination was no doubt inspired by a similar pairing of blue-eyed soul boy George Michael with the legendary R&B diva Aretha Franklin, would hit the top of the charts with their fantastic duet “I Knew You Were Waiting for Me” (which is, sadly, not included here).

Perhaps the soundtrack’s second most popular tune (second only to “Eye of the Tiger” which makes a return appearance for good sales, no doubt), “Living in America” perfectly sums up the decadence, extravagance, and sheer bloated pompousness of the ’80s.

Composer Vince DiCola makes another appearance by quietly stealing the show with “Training Montage.” Easily a proto-jock rock jam, this ranks up there with some of the finest sports anthems ever. And while it doesn’t have the accessibility of Queen’s “We Will Rock You,” or Gary Glitter’s “Rock & Roll Part Two,” it’s emotional peaks and valleys set the perfect contrast to what’s on-screen.

Balboa’s struggle to gain the advantage, both physically and psychologically, and win the fight is beautifully scored by Dicola’s “War/Fanfare from Rocky.