Today's song comes from the one and only Kristen Pflum, Reporter and Anchor for the 4PM news at LEX 18.
I have worked with Kristen at the station for a number of years and if there is one thing that you should know about Kristen it is this: She is obsessed with "Glory of Love." I mean she knows every word of this by heart. If you were to ask her what her favorite song is, before you finish the question she will say "Glory of Love."
I give her credit, it is a good song. Much like the movie it comes from, The Karate Kid Part II, it toes the line between being really good and being really cheesy at the same time.
The first Karate Kid is just an awesome film. It is just one of those all around movies that anyone can watch and enjoy. Pat Morita's role as Mr. Miyagi was a career defining performance and Ralph Macchio was very believable and likable as Miyago's student Daniel LaRusso.
Part II has a great idea in taking both of these characters to Miyagi's homeland of Japan. The setting gives the film a different air to it. Although it does heavily barrow some plot elements straight from the first film (having the movie end with Daniel having to fight someone is one example) Part II is still a very fun film.
"Glory of Love" really works well for the movie here because a major storyline in the film involving Mr. Miyagi and a woman he left behind in Japan when he came to America. One lyric in the song I think really gets into the essence of the movie is the final one: We did it all for love. It is revealed that the woman Miyagi had fallen for years ago was set to be married to Miyagi's best friend, Sato. Sato was jealous and wanted to fight Miyagi to the death. Miyagi then left his village soon after, not wanting to fight his best friend. Miyagi is always an interesting character because we always see him try to find a way not to fight. He is always trying to find the peaceful way even if that peaceful way means leaving the woman he loves.
The song is sung by Peter Cetera who is someone I consider to be very cheesy. But here, he is just perfect for the song mostly because he hits the high notes so well and he has an air of confidence in his voice that reassures the woman he is singing to that everything is going to be okay. He will fight for her honor and be the hero she is looking for as he says in the song. The video is also awesome in a great 80's sorta way. I love how all the doors open to reveal different scenes in the movie.
"Glory of Love" is an insanely cheesy song but it has stood the test of time. It was a huge hit at the time and it continues to be a popular throwback tune for people today. It was even nominated for Best Song at the Academy Awards that year where it rightly lost to "Take My Breath Away" from Top Gun. (Sorry Kristen, Top Gun is always the better film!) It helps to that it really fits into the theme of The Karate Kid Part II. Mr. Miyagi and Daniel both have to defend the honor of the women they have fallen for. And they both do it for love.
The song is sung by Peter Cetera who is someone I consider to be very cheesy. But here, he is just perfect for the song mostly because he hits the high notes so well and he has an air of confidence in his voice that reassures the woman he is singing to that everything is going to be okay. He will fight for her honor and be the hero she is looking for as he says in the song. The video is also awesome in a great 80's sorta way. I love how all the doors open to reveal different scenes in the movie.
"Glory of Love" is an insanely cheesy song but it has stood the test of time. It was a huge hit at the time and it continues to be a popular throwback tune for people today. It was even nominated for Best Song at the Academy Awards that year where it rightly lost to "Take My Breath Away" from Top Gun. (Sorry Kristen, Top Gun is always the better film!) It helps to that it really fits into the theme of The Karate Kid Part II. Mr. Miyagi and Daniel both have to defend the honor of the women they have fallen for. And they both do it for love.
