About the song
Released in 1985, “We Don’t Need Another Hero” stands as one of Tina Turner’s most powerful and cinematic songs. Written by Terry Britten and Graham Lyle, the duo behind her smash hit “What’s Love Got to Do with It,” this epic ballad was recorded as the theme song for Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, the third installment in the Mad Max film franchise, starring Mel Gibson and Tina Turner herself.
Musically, the song is a grand, sweeping production that blends rock, pop, and orchestral elements, creating an atmospheric, almost apocalyptic soundscape fitting for the film’s dystopian setting. From the opening synths to the soaring chorus, the track builds in intensity, carried by Turner’s unmistakable voice, which moves effortlessly from a hushed vulnerability in the verses to a full-throated, passionate cry in the chorus. The melody is haunting yet anthemic, striking a balance between sorrow and resilience.
Lyrically, “We Don’t Need Another Hero” is more than just a movie tie-in; it resonates as a universal anthem of survival and self-reliance. The song’s message speaks to the idea that people don’t need a savior or a “hero” to rescue them—they have the strength within themselves to endure and overcome hardship. This theme aligned not only with the film’s storyline but also with Tina Turner’s own life narrative of perseverance, making it all the more impactful.
The song became a massive hit, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning a Grammy nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. Its success further cemented Turner’s status as a global icon during her 1980s career resurgence. The track remains a standout in her catalog, a timeless blend of theatrical drama and raw emotional power that continues to inspire listeners today.
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Lyrics
Out of the ruinsOut from the wreckageCan’t make the same mistake this timeWe are the childrenThe last generation (the last generation, generation)We are the ones they left behindAnd, I wonder when we are ever gonna change, changeLiving under the fear, ’til nothing else remainsWe don’t need another heroWe don’t need to know the way homeAll we want is life beyond ThunderdomeLooking for something, we can rely onThere’s gotta be something better out thereOoh, love and compassionTheir day is coming (coming)All else are castles built in the airAnd, I wonder when we are ever gonna change, changeLiving under the fear, ’til nothing else remainsAll the children sayWe don’t need another heroWe don’t need to know the way homeAll we want is life beyond ThunderdomeSo, what do we do with our livesWe leave only a markWill our story shine like a light or end in the dark?Give it all or nothingWe don’t need another hero (hero, hero)We don’t need to know the way homeAll we want is life beyond ThunderdomeAll the children sayWe don’t need another hero (we don’t need another hero)We don’t need to know the way home, oohAll we want is life beyond Thunderdome