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Poll: Do You Have a Theme Song?

By: Nancy Howard : 8/5/2009 3:01:12 PM : 377 comments : 11,428 Views

To me, one of the most defining moments in an inspirational movie comes when the protagonist overcomes adversity and we all leave the theater with that 'ain't life good' feeling. Many of us are quite familiar with theme songs of movies such as Star Wars and Indiana Jones, but for me they don't define the character as much as they do the whole movie.

If you are old enough to remember the classic movie Rocky, the audience is drawn to Sylvester Stallone's character Rocky Balboa as he runs up the infamous front steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art raising his arms above his head as the theme song plays in the background. What a moment! Here is an underdog who beat the odds and rose to the top. And if you haven't seen the movie, I can almost guarantee you have heard the theme song.

A few years ago when I decided to spread my wings and start training for my first half-marathon, I decided I needed a theme song. A song that would get me excited about my training, but also would inspire me to keep going even when the going gets tough. It needed to have a nice cadence and something I would enjoy listening to every time I was running.

After listening to many, many tunes, I couldn't quite find that one defining song, until one day out of the blue playing on the car stereo was Electric Light Orchestra's Hold on Tight. That was it! I was running for a dream and I was holding on tight. That became my theme song and continues to be my motivational song 2 1/2 years later. Every time I hear 'my song' I am inspired to hold on tight and never let go.

So if you don't have a theme song, consider adding one to your inspirational journey.

Do you have a theme song that inspires you to stay on this great journey? And if not, would think that this is something you might consider? Do you think music plays an integral part in our healthy lifestyle journey?

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Comments (Scroll to end to leave a comment)

MRLEEP23 4/30/2010 1:14:18 PM	Absolutely ANYTHING by DMX!! His music definitely gives me that Edge I need when doing cardio or strength training -- ESPECIALLY Strength Training! If I had to pick one song, then it'd be "X Gone Give It To Ya"	377
TAYGRL 3/30/2010 4:10:15 PM	i have (2)--one is "Reunited" which is mine and my best friend's song cuz she and i have spent so much time separated by distance and the other one is "it takes two" which is our favorite song to dance to. it's also good to workout to as well.	376
HUTSONGL77 3/30/2010 8:57:11 AM	Ozzie Osbourne - No More Tears	375
PWINCESSEMILY 3/30/2010 7:08:29 AM	I have a new one. I liked both the songs already, but at the Brit awards this year Dizzee Rascal and Florence and the Machine combined their songs (he raps and she is an amazing singer) to make 'You got the dirty love'. Its not so much the lyrics but the solid steady beat building on the bottom, and her absolutely singing her heart out - its so ALIVE! People here have probably never heard of either of these and should really check it out on youtube. And Florence's other stuff too!	374
K10BETH 3/29/2010 9:58:10 AM	Bon Jovi--It's My Life!	373
DISTIME 3/29/2010 7:25:32 AM	My theme song is "I Will Get There - Boyz II Men" Ohohah Hey Yeah I've been wanderin' 'round in the dark Been lost somewhere where no light could shine on my heart I have known a pain so deep But I know my faith will free me [Get there] And I'll get through this [Get there] I'll find my way again So don't tell me that it's over 'Cause each step just gets me closer (I will get there) I will get there (I will get there) I will get there somehow Cross that river (Cross that river) Nothing's stoppin' me now I will get through the night (Oh, yes, I will) And make it through to the other side (Get there) Get there (Get there) Get there I've been in these chains for so long I'll break free and I'll be there where I belong Hold my head up high, I'll stand tall And I swear this time I won't fall [Get there] I will do this [Get there] No matter what it takes 'Cause I know no limitations And I'll reach my destination, I will get there I will get there (I will get there) I will get there (Ooh) somehow (Somehow) Cross that river (Cross that river) Nothing's stoppin' me now I will get through the night And make it through to the other side (Ooh, get there) Get there (Get there) Get there Well, the night is cold and dark But somewhere the sun is shining And I'll feel it shine on me I'll keep on tryin', I'll keep on tryin' I will get there (I will get there) I will get there somehow Cross that river (Cross that river) Nothing's stoppin' me now I will get through the night And make it through to the other side Get there, get there I will get there (I will get there) I will get there somehow (Somehow) Cross that river (I'll cross that river for you) Nothing's stoppin' me now (OhwhoaI) I will get through (Through) the night And make it through to the other side (Ohhoohho) (Get there) Get there (Ooh, get there) Get there (Whoaoh) I will get there (I will get there) I will get there somehow (Somehow) Cross that river (I'll cross it for your love) Nothing's stoppin' me now (No matter what) I will get through the night (I will get through the night) And make it through to the other side (Get there) Get there (Ooh, get there) Get there Get there Ohhooh I'll get there	372
AMYKITTIE 3/6/2010 7:23:48 PM	Mine would be have to be.. Through the fire and flames - Dragonforce - 7minutes of pure metal ^-^	371
WALDOWADE 11/4/2009 10:38:00 PM	my theme song that always pumps me up no matter what is "Renegades of Funk" by Rage Against the Machine	370
GRAMMAKD 9/22/2009 10:07:25 PM	I can really get pumped to the song 'Shackles' by Mary Mary. I equate those shackles being taken off to my getting free of thinking I couldn't lose weight, couldn't exercise, could only exist, never really live. Today...I know better and am living it out in a beautiful way. God be praised! Here are the words to 'Shackles' Whoo! It sure is hot out here Ya know? I don't mind though Just glad to be free Know what I'm saying, uh! Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance I just wanna praise you I just wanna praise you You broke the chains now I can lift my hands And I'm gonna praise you I'm gonna praise you In the corners of mind I just can't seem to find a reason to believe That I can break free Cause you see I have been down for so long Feel like the hope is gone But as I lift my hands, I understand That I should praise you through my circumstance Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance I just wanna praise you I just wanna praise you You broke the chains now I can lift my hands And I'm gonna praise you I'm gonna praise you Everything that could go wrong All went wrong at one time So much pressure fell on me I thought I was gonna lose my mind But I know you wanna see If I will hold on through these trials But I need you to lift this load Cause I can't take it anymore Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance I just wanna praise you I just wanna praise you You broke the chains now I can lift my hands And I'm gonna praise you I'm gonna praise you Been through the fire and the rain Bound in every kind of way But God has broken every chain So let me go right now Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance I just wanna praise you I just wanna praise you You broke the chains now I can lift my hands And I'm gonna praise you I'm gonna praise you Take them off What'cha gonna do, yeah Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance I just wanna praise you I just wanna praise you You broke the chains now I can lift my hands And I'm gonna praise you I'm gonna praise you	369
SWEET_DEVOTION 9/21/2009 10:49:09 AM	I do not have a theme song, though I do think it is a good idea. A little motivational pick me up I can wake up to every morning. I do have songs that I play that just make me feel good, but not a theme song per se.	368
AYBWSSU 9/14/2009 11:20:20 PM	Alright by Ledisi- It gets me in a good mood. I put hurdles behind me and hope in front of me! GREAT song!	367
CORPUSKRISTY 9/9/2009 11:14:53 PM	I don't yet, but I need one!	366
JULESANA8818 9/9/2009 9:04:33 PM	Swim by Jack's mannequin (seriously listen to it) Power inside of Me (Richard Marx "the mirror has two faces") Step by step (Whitney Houston- treadmill) Stand in the Rain (suoerchick)	365
ARMYWIFE2106 9/9/2009 4:43:28 PM	"Whatever" by Godsmack is my theme song. To all those ppl who told me i couldn't.... "I'm doing the best I ever did" "I'm doing the best that i can" "I'm doing the best I ever did" "Now Go Away!!"	364
ASPENJULES 9/9/2009 1:46:17 PM	Interesting that you did this post, Nancy. My theme song actually became What I've Done, by Linkin Park, as I went through the bulk of my weight loss. I felt like I literally was "erasing myself" and facing "whatever pain may come" every time I headed to the gym for another session with my trainer, LOL. I don't feel quite as connected to the song these days, but have a fond and proud feeling every time I hear it. I think I'm about due to find a new one though... We'll have to see what comes up.	363
MICHCLEARY 9/8/2009 9:54:59 PM	I run on the elliptical to Lady Gaga's Just Dance. It gets me going every time.	362
BOOMER_SWIMS 9/5/2009 10:45:24 PM	I don't really have a theme song or at least wouldn't want to consider my get-your-body-moving song to be my theme song. The first song I listen to when getting on the treadmill is "She's Your Cocaine" by Tori Amos. Music in general has definitely helped me keep motivated about working out. I'm very happy for finally figuring out my mp3 player.	361
NORCALTOPAZ 9/3/2009 8:36:40 PM	"I Sing the Body Electric" from the movie soundtrack "Fame." It is one of those songs that always uplifts me. I am FINALLY singing my body electric by nourishing it with nutritious foods and pushing myself to work more efficiently in every workout.	360
RHYNIC 8/26/2009 2:06:41 PM	hey I have that song on my computer. I must load it to my ipod. :-) I seem to have a different theme song went training for each race. It's actually great, because now when I hear the song it brings me back to that particular race.	359
GORDON2471 8/22/2009 2:23:07 PM	Anything by Journey but my most favorite is "Open Arms" & "Faithfully"	358
JULIA1775 8/22/2009 12:31:18 AM	"Don't stop Believin" by Journey, and "Good Day" by Jewel	357
KIERSTENELLA 8/21/2009 2:37:25 PM	"Jai Ho" from "Slumdog Millionnaire" - It means "victory" and that is what I'm going for in my workouts. I also like "Wavin' Flag" by K'naan - "when I get older, I will be stronger" It's true, if I keep at it!	356
DANALOU82 8/19/2009 12:56:51 AM	Big Butts By Sir-Mix-Alot	355
JEANNE229 8/18/2009 3:19:26 PM	Great idea! I'm going to have to find just the perfect song.	354
K8THEGREAT70 8/14/2009 4:06:07 PM	I love the whole Confessions of a Shopaholic CD but my theme song right now is Bad Girl by the Pussycat Dolls.	353
MS.SVELTE 8/14/2009 1:21:24 PM	"You're the Best" by Joe Esposito from the Karate Kid Soundtrack. Very cheesy and super motivational!	352
NOURSAYEGH 8/14/2009 12:03:02 PM	My all time theme song will always be "I'm every woman" by Whitney Houston.	351
XHOOSIERLOSER 8/14/2009 9:30:59 AM	I can't say that I have a theme song, but the funniest thing happened the other day. We live adjacent to a federally owned forest. Sitting on our porch, we heard a couple of fed employees pull up in their truck, get out and slam the door. We could hear their voices, not clearly, but well enough to know they were there. Conversation stopped and suddenly, one of the guys started whistling, loud and clear, Eye of the Tiger. It went on FOREVER! Too funny!	350
LIONESS627 8/14/2009 9:15:27 AM	Interesting...I just blogged about "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus (my theme song of the moment).	349
JTSSCWJ 8/13/2009 9:46:41 PM	If your going thru hell- Rodney Adkins- Keeps me going. And It happens by sugerland- when I'm having a bad day- I tell my boss I need to go home and listen to my happy song.	348
SCARRON 8/13/2009 3:03:17 PM	I love the song "Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own" by U2 -it is so beautiful and real... I also like "Family Affair" by Mary J. Blige-it gets me feeling 'dancy' when I walk to the beat!	347
NEWNEW615 8/13/2009 1:51:03 PM	"I can make it through the rain" -Mariah Carey.	346
RASTUS55 8/13/2009 1:31:07 PM	"Standing Outside the Fire" by Garth Brooks Life is not tried it is merely survived If you're standing outside the fire	345
SMARTIEBEE 8/13/2009 10:48:20 AM	More than a Woman by the Bee Gees Stayin' Alive by the Bee Gees and Run thru the Jungle by Credence	344
TOWANDA132 8/13/2009 9:21:29 AM	Exercise Theme Songs: Family Affair: Mary J. Blige I Run for Life: Melissa Etheridge Life Theme Song Cloud on My Tounge: Tori Amos Current Life Theme Song: Origami by Ani Difranco	343
CHANGEBYCHOICE 8/13/2009 8:21:22 AM	I love this idea! And immediately scrolled down to see if "my" theme song had been chosen by anyone else: it had! "Golden" by Jill Scott is my theme song, because it's so happy and positive, and life-affirming. Every time I hear it I am reminded I want to live succulently, to "live my life like it's golden", which to me, means magical and precious. I also heard a story in a self-help book about a woman who was advised my a wise older friend to choose a word to describe her life, to describe how she wanted her life to be: she chose "fabulous", and of course, I chose "golden". Shine on!	342
TREGIANI 8/12/2009 11:19:27 PM	For me the Whitesnake song "Here I Go Again" and Tom Petty's "Freefalling" are my motivational anthems!	341
STICKS1030 8/12/2009 9:15:17 PM	I rock out to Eye of the Tiger by Survivor or Welcome To the Jungle by Guns'n'Roses.	340
ANNIEONLI 8/12/2009 9:01:57 PM	"Finally" by Fergie It was the song that touched me and got me on a new path...and it was when I found SP!	339
LETSGONOW 8/12/2009 5:48:36 PM	Definitiely " I Need to Wake Up" by Melissa Ethridge (from An Inconvenient Truth) I listen to it every morning	338
XQUIZITE1 8/12/2009 3:19:45 PM	Mary J Blige - Just Fine! Mary Mary - God in Me!	337
PATRICIA3321 8/12/2009 2:17:29 PM	reba - Fancy	336
TREETREE7 8/12/2009 1:16:02 PM	Mary J. Blige "Just Fine"	335
WEIGHTWATCHER72 8/12/2009 12:33:41 PM	I love Miley Cyrus's "The Climb" Also really like Kelly Pickler's "Red High Heels." Has great motivation for me. :) Another favorite is Rascal Flatt's "My Wish."	334
MEYOU02 8/12/2009 9:57:05 AM	Right now I like "Forever" by Chris Brown; "Something Beautiful" by Newsboys; "Ready, Steady, Go" is a good running song by Paul Oakenfold; "Looking for you" by Kirk Franklin-guess I love upbeat songs, but none are my themesong yet?	333
CANCERMOON 8/12/2009 9:05:06 AM	"MOON SHADOW" by Cat STevens	332
DEMONIA 8/11/2009 6:12:42 PM	When I was 16 it was Killer Queen. Got me pumped to go out with friends. Now it has to be Concentration Moon by Frank Zappa. The lyrics are crazy, but just the music gets me going.	331
FUNNIROSI 8/11/2009 5:30:58 PM	Mine is from Helen Reddy, " I am Woman hear me Roar" ..in numbers too big to ignore, this reminds me to be determined and that I have support from other Spark friends in "numbers to big to ignore" for I am strong, I am invincible, I am Woman!!	330
ALEESKYE 8/11/2009 5:14:48 PM	Definitely 'Pioneers' by Bloc Party. Every time I listen to that song I get tingly all over!	329
LEATZEM 8/11/2009 3:59:56 PM	Hey Yeah is awesome! - However, my theme song HANDS DOWN is: Call On Me - classic. I see the light at the end of the tunnel whenever I'm running/cycling/doing aerobics when that song pops on!	328