Top 5 Heroic Anthems To Live By

As an avid runner and superhero film enthusiast, there’s no shortage of action film theme songs on my workout playlist to get me to the next rep or extra mile.  It is because of these famous soundtracks why I like to think I live an epic lifestyle.  These very songs that act as the beating heart of any splash scene makes routine trips like getting gas or waiting in the Starbucks drive-thru feel more victorious. This, my fellow geeks, is my list of heroic anthems to live by.

 

5. The Dark Knight – A Watchful Guadian

https://youtu.be/lJRIVD3GrTk

Hans Zimmer’s fast paced score as Batman races off in the night was instrumental to the climatic ending of The Dark Knight. Many will righteously recall Heath Ledger’s Joker as the stand-up performance of the film, but to undermine Zimmer’s work is a criminal offense. Set to Gary Oldman’s dramatic monologue, the Dark Knight’s main theme truly defines Christopher Nolan’s take on the classic character. The edgy thumping matches well with a short sprint, a long night of homework, or serving up a mean omelet on a Sunday morning.

 

4. Star Wars: The Phantom Menace – Duel of the Fates

Possibly the best thing to come from the prequel, John Williams’s Duel of Fates is best recognized as Qui Gon Jinn’s well-deserved ass whooping. Williams’s operatic song enters as Darth Maul confidently challenges Natalie Portman and associates and musically narrates his beating on our poorly planned Jedis. From the first note, we get a sense of urgency as the ominous choir starts off strong foreshadowing demise and tragedy, but simmers off a bit to build up yet again. It may very well be a villainous tune, but the fast-paced orchestra pairs up perfectly with any run or groom wedding entrance. The groom doesn’t walk down the aisle you say? Well not without John f%&*@ing Williams.

3. The Avengers – A Promise/The Avengers

This is a two-piece ensemble as both share a distinct melody and I can’t decide between the two which I like more. Just thinking of the famous Hulk punch and team pan-around scene excites my inner geek. Alan Silvestri’s The Avengers is the ideal theme song to any team as The London Symphony Orchestra’s victorious trumpets amp up the energy, and the film’s closing scene song, A Promise, slowly builds from strings to a heroic anthem. Both tunes pair perfectly for morning walks with my three pugs.

 

2. Superman – Main Theme

John Williams is a name you’ll see again and associate with most of the greats. Possibly known as the greatest superhero theme song, Williams’s piece begins subtly and then builds one horn at a time. Awe and wonder come to mind as this masterpiece implants the image of superhero essence. I personally like to time it when exiting the shower upon the 4 minute mark and stare at the foggy mirror with the trumpets blaring as I prepare for work.

 

1. 300 – Returns a King

Call it the musical form of Viagra. Tyler Bates’s Returns a King grand operatic intro enters the scene as Leonidas returns with the wolf carcass and is presented with the ceremonial Spartan helmet. Though it very similarly reflects Eliot Goldenthal’s Victorious Titus, Bates’s version screams testosterone and phallic overload. This is the one tune that gets me up in the morning and sets me on an early day’s journey of breakfast burritos and morning rush hour. It’s also been instrumental in entering with the first beer on a bachelor party, the sight of a gas station bathroom on a long road trip, or that look when my wife motions to the bedroom. However you may use it, you may never look at life the same without it.