John Parr – St. Elmo’s Fire (Man In Motion) (Official Music Video)
Monthly Theme:
While some states start school in August, this is the final month of summer. The last time families can spend time together before another school year is set in motion. Travel may take you to visit relatives, return home to reconnect with old friends or make new memories in your favorite vacation destination. This season of travel is your last shot at rejuvenating a tired and weary soul, boosting your moral to finish 2026 off strong. Subsequently, August will feature songs with places in the title.
Inspiration Behind St. Elmo’s Fire:
John Parr co-wrote Man in Motion with producer David Foster. While the initial inspiration came from the 1985 film St. Elmo’s Fire, the man in the lyrics is Canadian athlete Rick Hansen. After a spinal cord injury left Hansen paralyzed from the waist down, Rick began his own tour, a 26‑month wheelchair journey across 34 countries to raise awareness and funds for this cause. Subsequently, part of this song is about the movie and the other is about Rick’s recovery.
Biblical Application:
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you,” Deuteronomy 31:6.
Exegesis of St. Elmo’s Fire:
Growin’ up, you don’t see the writin’ 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, everythin’ has changed
“St. Elmo’s Fire” follows seven recent college graduates navigating their way through life. These seven individuals confront realities of post-college such as career pressures, relationships and maturity issues. These growing pains result in loneliness, pain and uncertainty.
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 tryna break free
While this stanza could apply to the movie, the game suggests this is about Rick Hansen and his road to recovery. Getting used to life in a wheelchair is like a soldier coming back from war with permanent injuries. Rick’s wheelchair tour likely served as a way to help the paralyzed see that they weren’t a prisoner to a wheelchair..
I can see a new horizon underneath the blazin’ sky
I’ll be where the eagle’s flyin’ 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
A duel purpose stanza that touches on Rick’s journey to one day walk again as well as the characters within the movie as they mature from students to adults.
Burnin’ 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
The lyrics suggest this is referring to Rick, broken after his life altering injury. Yet Rick’s wheelchair tour pushed his physical limits, helping him realize that living in a wheelchair for the rest of his life won’t break him.
I can see a new horizon underneath the blazin’ sky
I’ll be where the eagle’s flyin’ higher and higher
An introduction to the chorus relates to the characters in St. Elmo’s Fire as they reach for their dreams in life.
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
Pair of wheels could refer to a new car, but is focused on Rick’s wheelchair and how he now rolls on with life.
I can climb the highest mountain, cross the wildest sea
I can feel St. Elmo’s fire burnin’ in me, burnin’ in me
St. Elmo’s is a bar where these college friends try to catch up on life. After meeting together, some conversations ignite fire and passion to keep pursuing specific goals in life.
Just once in his life a man has his time
And my time is now, I’m comin’ alive
A motivational stanza to come alive by seizing the moment.
I can hear the music playin’, I can see the banners fly
Feel like a man again, I’ll hold my head 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
Rejuvenated spirits after a night out at the bar. The final portion of this chorus speaks to Rick Hansen’s recovering from his spinal cord injury, giving hope to those who feel their life is over after not being able to walk.
I can see a new horizon underneath the blazin’ sky
I’ll be where the eagle’s flyin’ 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
Repeating the chorus as if to reignite hope into those on the verge of giving up on life.
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
Life isn;t over until you quit. If you keep fighting, you’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish.
Final Thoughts:
I was in high school when I watched St. Elmo’s Fire. I recall the ending being disappointing, America’s version of Rick Hansen was Chucky Mullins, a defensive back for Ole Miss football. After being paralyzed like Rick, Chucky became a motivational speaker until his death. I once served as a Chaplin, giving a pregame speech at a University of Delaware football game. I spoke about Chucky is his new life motto after being bound to a wheelchair. “Don’t quit! Don’t ever quit! And never give it! I adopted this in my final years as an athlete fighting back after doctors told me my athletic career was over. This is the fire that still drives me today.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 