Heart of Courage
{{Infobox song
| name = Heart of Courage
| cover =
| alt =
| type =
| artist = Two Steps from Hell
| album = Invincible
| released = May 3, 2010
| format =
| recorded = 2008
| studio =
| venue =
| genre =
{{flatlist
|* Trailer music · Classical
}}
| length = 1:57
| label =
| writer =
{{flatlist
}}
| misc =
}}
"Heart of Courage" is a song by the American production music company, Two Steps from Hell; it was composed by co-founder Thomas Bergersen.{{Cite web |title=Fußball-Fans küren pompöse Einlaufmusik zur wahren EM-Hymne |trans-title= |last=Hein |first=Dirk |work=DerWesten |date=28 June 2012 |access-date=17 June 2022 |url= https://www.derwesten.de/sport/fussball/em/fussball-fans-kueren-pompoese-einlaufmusik-zur-wahren-em-hymne-id6819055.html |language=de}} It originates from the "drama"/second disc of their 2008 trailer music demo album, Legend, circulated exclusively within the movie advertising industry for the purpose of licensing. The track was subsequently made available for public purchase on the group's first commercial album, Invincible, released on 3 May 2010.
It is considered the group's most famous song, having gone on to be extensively used worldwide as the background track for film trailers, video game trailers, TV commercials, stadium events and festivals.{{Cite web |author=Hickie, James |date=29 April 2022 |title=From Marvel to the main stage: get to know Nick Phoenix |url=https://www.altpress.com/features/nick-phoenix-wide-world-interview/ |access-date=4 May 2022 |work=Alternative Press}}{{Cite web |title=The cult of failure reaches a new peak at Unfiltered Live |last=Junn |first=Jihee |work=The Spinoff |date=29 June 2019 |access-date=15 June 2022 |url= https://thespinoff.co.nz/business/29-06-2019/the-cult-of-failure-reaches-a-new-peak-at-unfiltered-live |quote='Heart of Courage' by Two Steps From Hell blasted across the room (aka that music that gets played in almost every dramatic movie/TV/sporting trailer known to man). It's also the opening theme song to Nathan for You}} Particularly notable was its use as the entrance theme of the teams onto the pitch at all 31 matches of UEFA Euro 2012 which thrust it into the public limelight, becoming known as a de facto theme of the tournament.
Description
"Heart of Courage" is orchestral and choral-based, with an emphasis on strings including significant use of the violin and cello.{{Cite web |title=Concert 'Great Choirs by Morricone, Zimmer & Williams' in Barcelona – Summary |author=Cano, Coque |work=SoundTrackFest |date=1 March 2022 |access-date=14 June 2022 |url= https://soundtrackfest.com/en/articles/concert-great-choirs-by-morricone-zimmer-williams-in-barcelona-summary/}}{{Cite web |title=FM Prague: Two Steps from Hell |author=Smit, Anton |work=Soundtrack World |date=7 May 2018 |access-date=14 June 2022 |url= https://soundtrackworld.com/2018/05/prague-two-steps-from-hell/}} Instrumental elements were performed by the Czech-based Capellen Orchestra, whilst the choral elements were performed by The Salt Lake Tabernacle Choir.{{cite AV media notes |title=Invincible |others=Two Steps from Hell |year=2010 |access-date=30 March 2022 |type=Official booklet |url=http://www.twostepsfromhell.com/invincible_booklet.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717120659/http://www.twostepsfromhell.com/invincible_booklet.pdf |archive-date=17 July 2011 |url-status=dead}}
It begins gently and slowly in B-flat minor. The song starts to build after ~0:30 with the introduction of a repetitive rhythm, and further still at ~0:45 when a catchy melody is introduced, featuring a choir singing short lines, mostly consisting of just a word or two. The song ceases to build after roughly half of its length when it then crescendos in E-flat minor, climaxing in intensity at ~1:40. Strings then continue on until the end of the track, once again returning to B-flat minor and finishing by fading out.{{Cite web |title=Two Steps From Hell: Invincible Review |author= |work=Cheshire Cat Studios |date=24 August 2011 |access-date=14 June 2022 |url=https://www.cheshirecatstudios.com/two-steps-from-hell-invincible-review/ |archive-date=19 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230619195954/https://www.cheshirecatstudios.com/two-steps-from-hell-invincible-review/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite thesis |type=PhD |last=Werlé |first=Xavier Derrick |date=2014 |title=The Music of World of Warcraft - Lore of Epic Music |publisher=University of California, Los Angeles |url=https://escholarship.org/content/qt2xk8k2mx/qt2xk8k2mx.pdf |access-date=14 June 2022}}{{Cite web |title=Heart of Courage - Analyse |trans-title= |author=Müller, Sarah |work=HELPSTER |date= |access-date=14 June 2022 |url= https://www.helpster.de/heart-of-courage-analyse_201994 |language=de}}
The song is famed for its "epic" and emotive qualities. Soundstripe summaries the song from this perspective saying, "No matter which visual you prefer, this piece of adventure music somehow captures the excitement and danger that we'd expect to find in another place or time. And in two minutes that song creates an experience that might take 30 minutes to pull off in a visual medium."{{Cite web |title=Welcome to Outstanding Adventure Music |work=soundstripe |date= |access-date=14 June 2022 |url= https://www.soundstripe.com/adventure-music}} Its capacity to induce emotion has led it to be frequently cited by professional sports people as a popular pre-game motivational anthem.{{Cite web |title=Which Hollywood star does Neil Robertson credit for his recent success? |last=Nunns |first=Hector |work=Daily Mirror |date=7 December 2015 |access-date=17 June 2022 |url= https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/other-sports/snooker/neil-robertson-credits-arnold-schwarzenegger-6971294}}{{Cite magazine |title=NBA Playoffs Playlists: Ballers Love Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West and Mozart |last=Stutz |first=Colin |magazine=Billboard |date=17 April 2015 |access-date=17 June 2022 |url= https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/nba-playoffs-playlists-memphis-toronto-portland-washington-kendrick-lamar-6538572/}}
Charts
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Weekly chart performance for "Heart of Courage" ! scope="col" width=265| Chart (2012–15) ! scope="col"| Peak |
| scope="row"| UK Independent Singles (OCC){{Cite web |title=TWO STEPS FROM HELL |author= |work=Official Charts Company |date= |access-date=12 November 2023 |url= https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/24307/two-steps-from-hell/}}
| 46 |
|---|
| scope="row"| UK Independent Singles Breakers (OCC)
| 11 |
| scope="row"| French Top 200 Singles (SNEP){{Cite web |title=Two Steps From Hell - Heart Of Courage (Chanson) |work=lescharts.com |date= |access-date=13 June 2022 |url= https://lescharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Two+Steps+From+Hell&titel=Heart+Of+Courage&cat=s |language=fr}}
|95 |
Appearances
"Heart of Courage" has appeared on multiple Two Steps from Hell albums:
- Legend (2008) – Demo album; original appearance.{{Cite web |title=Legend |author= |work=TrailerMusic.info |date= |access-date=7 April 2022 |url= https://trailermusic.info/albums/non-public/legend/#tab2}}
- Invincible (2010) – Initial commercial release.{{Cite web |title=Two steps from hell - "Heart of courage" - SWR1 |trans-title= |work=Südwestrundfunk |date=21 May 2019 |access-date=14 June 2022 |url= https://www.swr.de/swr1/rp/hitparade/article-swr-8872.html |language=de}}
- Legacy (2015) – Japan-exclusive greatest hits release.{{Cite web |author= |date= |title=Legacy - Two Steps From Hell |trans-title= |url=https://www.hmv.co.jp/artist_Two-Steps-From-Hell_000000000573202/item_Legacy_8839158 |access-date=4 May 2022 |work=HMV Japan |language=ja}}
- Two Steps from Hell: Ringtones (2016) – Mobile-exclusive; track split into three short excerpts intended for use as ringtones.{{Cite web |date=11 February 2016 |title=Two Steps From Hell: Ringtones |url=https://play.google.com/store/music/album/Two_Steps_From_Hell_Two_Steps_From_Hell_Ringtones?id=Bcnhogjst76o2rpgtubd73rwj2a |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161122155515/https://play.google.com/store/music/album/Two_Steps_From_Hell_Two_Steps_From_Hell_Ringtones?id=Bcnhogjst76o2rpgtubd73rwj2a |archive-date=22 November 2016 |access-date=4 May 2022 |website=Google Play}}
- Legend Anthology (2019) – Features as an alternative, "no choir" version of the track.{{Cite web |title=Legend Anthology Soundtrack |author= |work=filmmusicsite.com |date= |access-date=7 April 2022 |url= https://www.filmmusicsite.com/en/soundtracks.cgi?id=78321}}
- Greatest Hits Remastered (2020) – Demo album; digital remaster.{{Cite web |author= |date= |title=Greatest Hits Remastered - Two Steps From Hell |url=https://www.sondz.com/release/Greatest-Hits-Remastered?gid=f7fa2fcf-4b69-4c98-aa91-3d71dd2cbf82 |access-date=10 May 2022 |work=Sondz - Know Your Music}}
- Live – An Epic Music Experience (2022) – Features a live recording of the track from their 2022 European Tour.{{Cite web |title=Two Steps From Hell veröffentlichen am 9. November ihr erstes Major-Label-Album mit den größten Hits |trans-title= |author=Kaczmarek, Viktor |work=Play Experience |date=10 September 2022 |access-date=27 December 2022 |url= https://play-experience.com/two-steps-from-hell-veroeffentlichen-am-9-november-ihr-erstes-major-label-album-mit-den-groessten-hits/ |language=de}}
Use in media
File:Czech Republic - Poland teams entry - Euro 2012.jpg matches.]]
The following are select examples of notable uses of "Heart of Courage" in the media, and the varying types it is frequently featured in:
- in trailers for films such as:
- The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader{{Cite magazine |title=Movie trailer music composers Two Steps From Hell perform live |author=Rome, Emily |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=15 June 2013 |access-date=17 May 2022 |url= https://ew.com/article/2013/06/15/movie-trailer-music-two-steps-from-hell-concert/}} and Avatar.{{Cite news |title=Their movie trailer music is proudly commercial |author=Rome, Emily |newspaper=LA Times |date=8 April 2012 |access-date=17 May 2022 |url= https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-xpm-2012-apr-08-la-ca-movie-trailer-music-20120408-story.html}}
- in trailers for television shows such as:
- the NBC series Revolution, the BBC series Frozen Planet, and the ABC series Once Upon a Time in Wonderland.
- in trailers for video games such as:
- Mass Effect 2,{{Cite web |title=The best game trailer music: top sync - Blog - Tracks & Fields |author= |work=Tracks & Fields |date=1 March 2017 |access-date=15 June 2022 |url= https://www.tracksandfields.com/blog/2015/06/18/the-best-game-trailer-music-great-sync/}} Ryse: Son of Rome,{{Cite web |title=Trailer Music Placements: November |author=Asuratov, Arkady |work=Behind The Audio |date=31 December 2013 |access-date=15 June 2022 |url= https://behindtheaudio.com/2013/12/trailer-music-placements-2/}}{{Cite web |title=Xbox One's Exclusive Ryse: Son of Rome's Launch Trailer is Beautiful and Epic |author=Nelva, Giuseppe |work=DualShockers |date=19 November 2013 |access-date=16 June 2022 |url= https://www.dualshockers.com/xbox-ones-exclusive-ryse-son-of-romes-launch-trailer-is-beautiful-and-epic/}} Nehrim: At Fate's Edge (a total conversion mod of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion), the 2014 trailer for Angry Birds Epic and Game of War: Fire Age.{{cite web|title=Game of War: Fire Age TV Commercial, 'Time'|url=http://www.ispot.tv/ad/7hhV/game-of-war-fire-age-time|website=iSpot.tv {{!}} Real-Time TV Advertising Metrics|date=8 May 2015|accessdate=10 September 2015}}
- in television shows such as:
- featuring in multiple episodes of the BBC series Top Gear,{{Cite web |title=Two Steps From Hell Sync Placements |author= |work=Tunefind |date= |access-date=15 June 2022 |url= https://www.tunefind.com/artist/two-steps-from-hell}} as the opening titles theme of the Comedy Central series Nathan for You,{{Cite web |title=Thy Despair - The Song of Desolation Review |author=Emya |work=Angry Metal Guy |date=6 May 2020 |access-date=15 June 2022 |url= https://www.angrymetalguy.com/thy-despair-the-song-of-desolation-review/ |quote=Two Steps from Hell's “Heart of Courage” (the main opening theme song of the hilarious TV show Nathan for You) }} in multiple History Channel documentaries,{{Cite web |title=What's your favorite song used in a game trailer? |author=Macgregor, Jody |work=PC Gamer |date=30 March 2019 |access-date=16 June 2022 |url= https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/whats-your-favorite-song-used-in-a-game-trailer/}} in an episode of The Masked Singer, in the Greek reality series Survivor Greece,{{Cite web |title=Survivor: Η επική μουσική του ριάλιτι σε πιανιστική εκδοχή |trans-title= |author= |work=Youfly |date=5 March 2021 |access-date=16 June 2022 |url= https://youfly.com/tileorasi/survivor-i-epiki-mousiki-tou-rialiti-se-pianistiki-ekdochi/ |language=el}} Survivor Turkey, in the Italian series {{ill|Ulysses – The Pleasure of Discovery|it|Ulisse - Il piacere della scoperta}} and {{ill|Journey into the Great Beauty|it|Viaggio nella grande bellezza}}{{Cite web |title="Viaggio nella Grande Bellezza»: anche Canale 5 ha (finalmente) il suo «Ulisse" |trans-title= |last=Manca |first=Mario |work=Vanity Fair Italia |date=19 December 2019 |access-date=16 June 2022 |url= https://www.vanityfair.it/show/tv/2019/12/19/viaggio-nella-grande-bellezza-cesare-bocci-canale-5-ulisse-ascolti |language=it}} and in the German YouTube reality TV series 7 vs. Wild{{Cite web |url=https://www.watson.de/unterhaltung/meinung/527204052-7-vs-wild-warum-der-hype-um-die-youtube-serie-befremdlich-ist
|title=MEINUNG - Pure Langeweile bei "7 vs. Wild": Der Youtube-Hit ist schlechter als sein Ruf
|language=de
|date=2022-12-30
|access-date=2022-12-30
|last=Ullrich
|first=Jennifer
|work=watson.de (Swiss/German news portal) }} as opening title theme.
- in TV commercials and promotional videos such as:
- for the Ferrari FF in 2011,{{Cite web |title=A nova Ferrari Four V12 com tração nas quatro |author=Nascimento Valadares, Guilherme |work=Papo de Homem |date=8 February 2011 |access-date=15 June 2022 |url= https://papodehomem.com.br/a-nova-ferrari-four-v12-com-tracao-nas-quatro/ |language=pt }} for a new Mercedes-Benz SUV in 2015,{{Cite web |title=Quelle est la musique de pub Mercedes-Benz « Nouveaux SUV 2015 » ? |trans-title= |author= |work=Quai Baco |date=7 September 2015 |access-date=15 June 2022 |url= http://www.quai-baco.com/quelle-est-la-musique-de-pub-mercedes-benz-nouveaux-suv-2015-24546-24546/ |language=fr}}{{Cite web |title=Mercedes-Benz SUV - Inspiration |author= |work=Adbreakanthems |date=9 September 2015 |access-date=15 June 2022 |url= http://www.adbreakanthems.com/adverts/mercedes-benz-suv-inspiration/}} for the 2015 Rugby World Cup,{{Cite web |title=Coupe du monde de rugby 2015 : Quand Tywin Lannister prend la place du coach |trans-title= |author= |work=Le Geek C'est Chic |date=8 September 2014 |access-date=16 June 2022 |url=http://legeekcestchic.eu/coupe-du-monde-de-rudby-2015-quand-tywin-lannister-prend-la-place-du-coach/ |language=fr |archive-date=19 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230619195822/http://legeekcestchic.eu/coupe-du-monde-de-rudby-2015-quand-tywin-lannister-prend-la-place-du-coach/ |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |title=Behind the scenes of the Rugby World Cup 2015 campaign |author=Patterson, Ewan |work=Campaign |date=8 September 2014 |access-date=16 June 2022 |url= https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/behind-scenes-rugby-world-cup-2015-campaign/1311224}} for multiple reed.co.uk adverts in 2016,{{Cite web |title=Reed.co.uk - Charger |author= |work=Adbreakanthems |date=15 January 2016 |access-date=15 June 2022 |url= http://www.adbreakanthems.com/adverts/reed-co-uk-charger/}}{{Cite web |title=Reed.co.uk Battle Cry Advert Song 2016 – Kevin |author= |work=Commercial Song |date=29 June 2016 |access-date=15 June 2022 |url= https://commercial-song.net/2016/06/reed-co-uk-battle-cry-advert-song-2016-kevin/}} and for Amazon Alexa in 2020.{{Cite web |title=2021 Music+Sound Awards – Best Use Of Production Music In Broadcast Advertising Finalists |author= |work=Music+Sound Awards |date=2021 |access-date=16 June 2022 |url= http://www.masawards.com/2021-production-music-finalists}}
- during stadium events and festivals such as:
- as the opening theme music for all matches of UEFA Euro 2012,{{Cite web |title=The Music of the Euro 2012 final {{!}} The Official Soundtrack |author=Abnos, Alexander |work=newsounds |date=30 June 2012 |access-date=15 June 2022 |url= https://www.newsounds.org/story/219757-music-euro-2012-final-official-soundtrack/}}{{Cite web |title=Thomas Bergersen: The "Epic Music" Creator Behind Interstellar, Harry Potter And The Dark Knight |author=Upmanyu, Suryansh |work=ED Times |date=3 February 2022 |access-date=31 May 2022 |url= https://edtimes.in/thomas-bergersen-music-composer/}} at multiple stages of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, as part of the music accompanying Europe's largest firework display in France, the {{ill|Great Fire of Saint-Cloud|fr|Grand feu de Saint-Cloud}}, in 2012,{{Cite web |title=The Growing Success of Trailer Music in Various Shows |author=Lebrun, Clothilde |work=Trailer Music News |date=3 January 2013 |access-date=15 June 2022 |url= https://trailermusicnews.com/2013/01/growing-success-trailer-music-shows/}} and as the entrance music for numerous clubs in a number of German football leagues.
Samples and remixes
The main segment of the melody has been re-used in a couple popular songs:
- "Darkside" by Alan Walker during the chorus at the lyric "I see it, let's feel it, while we're still young and fearless".
- "Beast in Black" by Beast in Black during the verses.
"The Unknown" by Frequencerz is a higher-key hardstyle remix of "Heart of Courage".
References
{{reflist}}