The Script is a famous Irish pop band. The band has three members – Danny O’Donoghue, Mark Sheehan, and Glen Power. This powerful trio has created many chartbusters – inspiring people and marking their name in pop rock. From the collection of their loved songs lies the song “Hall of Fame”. It was a part of their third album, also named #3. The lyrics for this song were written by the lead vocalist, O’Donoghue. He is always perceived as an intentional storyteller – talking about emotions and dreams. The song “Hall of Fame” is focused on dreams and the power of determination. The core message of the song is to achieve the unachievable – it is to inspire and motivate the listeners.
What does the title mean?
The word “Hall of Fame” is quite a popular word. It is often used by people to categorize certain achievements. The hall of fame is basically a hallway wherein the names of the high achievers are noted. It is in their honour – recognizing the effort that they have put in the work. Hall of fame has been quite a famous concept in high school, mostly talking about sports achievements. A hallway of such kind would include medals, trophies and whatnot. Once your name is in the hallway, it does not go away. it is etched in the memories of the people (especially your enemies and competition who underestimated you). This is your win against them.
The song uses the hall of fame as a reference to motivate the listeners. The encouragement is that listeners will get to be in the hall of fame. The song also describes the journey and efforts needed to be in the hall of fame. The song might feel like a personal journey of the vocalist at times – but it is relevant to each one of us.
Verse 1 – What does it mean?
Yeah, you can be the greatest, you can be the best
You can be the King Kong bangin’ on your chest
You can beat the world, you can beat the war
You can talk to God, go bangin’ on his door
You can throw your hands up, you can beat the clock (Yeah)
You can move a mountain, you can break rocks
Some will call it practice, some will call it luck
But either way you’re going to the history book
Verse one is as inspiring as it can be. It comes off across a coach who is highly motivated to cheer you up. The most beautiful thing about these lines is that they explore all the options. The vocalist is not limiting motivation to any right ways or incorrect ways. The vocalist puts pressure on the act of doing, rather than what is the right way of motivation. From using a reference to God, the vocalist says that you can do it all – whatever it is that you need to do. This reference is like a metaphor for the impossible. The vocalist claims that you can do the impossible. Whatever it is that you aim to achieve, you can achieve that.
The second half of the verse gets more real. It talks about the ways to reach that impossible. The vocalist claims that it is not going to be easy. You have to put in a lot of effort. There will be rocks and mountains – and, you have to move them. Also, others might not always appreciate your efforts. Many times people call hard work “luck” – the vocalist says that it does not matter, as long as you achieve what you had determined to achieve.
What does the chorus mean?
Standin’ in the Hall of Fame (Yeah)
And the world’s gonna know your name (Yeah)
‘Cause you burn with the brightest flame (Yeah)
And the world’s gonna know your name (Yeah)
And you’ll be on the walls of the Hall of Fame
The chorus of the song focuses on the titular phrase “Hall of Fame”. It is the goal of the vocalist to stand in the hall of fame. It is also the goal to encourage the listeners to aim for their hall of fame. This hallway is very rewarding as it would mark that you have achieved your aim. The people around you will remember your name. It will stay forever in their minds and the hall of fame.
Verse 2 – What does it mean
You can go the distance, you can run the mile
You can walk straight through hell with a smile
You can be a hero, you can get the gold
Breakin’ all the records they thought never could be broke (Yeah)
Do it for your people, do it for your pride
How you ever gonna know if you never even try?
Do it for your country, do it for your name
‘Cause there’s gon’ be a day, when you’re
Verse two comes with even more motivation. The vocalist puts pressure on the points of endurance. There will be highs and lows on your journey – but you have to walk it though. If you bear the pain for your goals, you can do so with a smile. He talks that if you are able to endure and rise above, you will be the hero. You will receive the gold – the gold here can be the achievement out of your commitment. It can be the respect of others, a financial outcome, a record-breaking activity. Whatever it is, you will break the records. You have to be stronger than the noise of people around you. The people only bring doubt and insecurities and you should not let that affect you. You must use their words as a challenge.
The vocalist further encourages you to take the action for the community. You have to keep on going for your country, your pride. The vocalist tries to use every kind of motivation to ensure that you are determined and focused. Despite any troubles or pain, you can and you must keep on going.
What does the bridge mean?
Be believers, be leaders
Be astronauts, be champions
Be truth-seekers
Be students, be teachers
Be politicians, be preachers
Yeah
Be believers, be leaders
Be astronauts, be champions
In the bridge section, the vocalist promotes different roles. He gives out different professions to encourage young people to dream, to start their own path to fame. He also does so to guide people that everyone can be in the hall of fame. This is not booked for only celebrities. If you push hard, persist then you can be in the hall of fame. The important thing is to be who you aimed to be, be it a politician, teacher, or a leader. You can be a champion.
Conclusion
The song “Hall of Fame” is quite motivating. The song is also a great fit for sports practice, workouts, and such physical activities. The way the lyrics push you to be better, to keep on going – it seems like a perfect fit for athletes. But, it is not restricted to this domain. This song is for everyone who dares to dream. There might be moments when you feel low or unmotivated, you should take out your earphones and play this song. This song will help you to reach your hall of fame.
