The Warrior (song)
{{Short description|1984 single by Scandal}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{Infobox song
| name = The Warrior
| cover = Scandal - The Warrior single.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Scandal
| album = Warrior
| B-side = Less Than Half
| released = June 1984
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre =
- Pop-rock{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/rockin-80s-sony-mw0000326534|title=Rockin' 80's [Sony] – Various Artists {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits {{!}} AllMusic|website=AllMusic |access-date=April 22, 2021}}
- new wave{{Cite web|url=https://www.musicindustryhowto.com/new-wave-songs/|title=33 Best New Wave Songs in the World|first=Cyrus|last=Abed|date=April 12, 2022}}
| length =
- 4:00 (album version)
- 3:35 (7-inch version)
| label = Columbia
| writer =
| producer = Mike Chapman
| prev_title = Win Some, Lose Some
| prev_year = 1983
| next_title = Hands Tied
| next_year = 1984
}}
"The Warrior" is a song by American rock band Scandal featuring Patty Smyth, from their debut and sole studio album, Warrior, written by Holly Knight and Nick Gilder. The song went to number seven in the United States and number one in Canada, as well as number one on the US Rock Top Tracks chart, and won a BMI Airplay Award in 1984. It was also a hit in Australia, where it peaked at number six, and in New Zealand and South Africa, peaking at number 11 in both countries. The music video for the song was directed by David Hahn.
Background
Co-writer Holly Knight said, "I think that idea of being a warrior had been inside me for a long time. I grew up in a somewhat 'dysfunctional' family where there was a lot of drama and fighting. I was always more interested in fighting FOR something rather than fighting with someone, and without being cognizant of it, it was a constant theme in my psyche, and hence, my songs."{{cite web|url=https://www.songwriteruniverse.com/holly-knight-songwriter-2016.htm|title=Hall Of Fame Songwriter Holly Knight Tells How She Wrote Classic Hit Songs For Tina Turner, Pat Benatar, Rod Stewart and Aerosmith|last=Kawashima|first=Dale|website=SongwriterUniverse|date=August 5, 2016|access-date=May 25, 2023}}
Track listings
7-inch single{{cite AV media notes|title=The Warrior|author=Scandal|year=1984|type=US 7-inch single vinyl disc|publisher=Columbia Records|id=38-04424}}
:A. "The Warrior" – 3:35
:B. "Less Than Half" – 4:18
12-inch picture disc{{cite AV media notes|title=The Warrior|author=Scandal|year=1984|type=US 12-inch picture disc sticker|publisher=Columbia Records|id=8C8 39905}}
:A1. "The Warrior"
:A2. "Hands Tied"
:B1. "Goodbye to You"
:B2. "Love's Got a Line on You"
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
!Chart (1984–1985) !Peak |
| scope="row"|Australia (Kent Music Report){{Cite book|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992|last=Kent|first=David|author-link=David Kent (historian)|publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=St Ives, NSW|year=1993|isbn=0-646-11917-6}}
|6 |
|---|
| {{single chart|Canadatopsingles|1|chartid=8943|rowheader=true|access-date=May 25, 2019}} |
| {{single chart|New Zealand|11|artist=Scandal feat. Patty Smyth|song=The Warrior|rowheader=true|access-date=May 25, 2019}} |
| scope="row"|South Africa (Springbok Radio){{cite web|url=http://rock.co.za/files/sa_charts_1969_1989_songs_(W-Z).html|title=SA Charts 1965 – 1989 Songs W–Z|website=South African Rock Lists|access-date=May 4, 2020}}
|11 |
| {{single chart|UK|86|date=19841006|rowheader=true|access-date=May 25, 2019}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardhot100|7|artist=Patty Smyth|rowheader=true|access-date=May 25, 2019}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardmainstreamrock|1|artist=Patty Smyth|rowheader=true|access-date=May 25, 2019}} |
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
{{col-end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=single|artist=Scandal|title=Warrior|award=Platinum|relyear=1984|certyear=1984|access-date=September 26, 2019}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true}}
In popular culture
The song was used as the opening theme to both the 2017–2019 Netflix television series GLOW, and the 2024 Sonic the Hedgehog spin-off television series Knuckles.{{cite web|url=https://www.bustle.com/p/the-glow-season-3-soundtrack-is-the-perfect-mix-of-80s-favorites-las-vegas-show-tunes-18557030|title=
The Best Musical Moments From 'GLOW' Season 3|first=Caitlin|last=Gallagher|work=Bustle|date=August 9, 2019|access-date=April 26, 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/knuckles-review-easy-pally-210000562.html|title=Knuckles Review: Take It Easy There, Pally|first=Luke Y.|last=Thompson|work=Yahoo! Entertainment|date=April 22, 2024|access-date=April 26, 2024}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{discogs master|type=single|47015}}
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47y5bo8wtqM Music video]
{{Scandal}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Warrior, The}}
Category:Scandal (American band) songs
Category:Columbia Records singles
Category:RPM Top Singles number-one singles
Category:Song recordings produced by Mike Chapman
Category:Songs written by Holly Knight
Category:Songs written by Nick Gilder
{{1980s-rock-song-stub}}