“Heavy Metal” – Sammy Hagar Talks About The Classic Track

In the early ’80s, rock and film collided in a way that left a lasting mark on both. Singer Sammy Hagar was tapped to contribute a track for the animated cult classic Heavy Metal, a 1981 movie that blended sci-fi, fantasy, and hard rock into one wild ride. To nail the soundtrack’s energy, Hagar teamed up with Jim Peterik, best known as a founding member of Survivor and co-writer of arena staples like “Eye of the Tiger”.

According to Hagar, the collaboration came about quickly and naturally. Peterik already had a riff and some lyrical concepts, while Hagar brought the grit, attitude, and powerhouse voice to shape it into an anthem. In interviews and fan recollections, Hagar has said that he wanted the song to embody the movie’s over-the-top visuals—spaceships, warriors, and, of course, heavy metal thunder.

The two knocked out the tune in classic rock fashion: trading riffs, pushing each other on lyrics, and fine-tuning it until it hit that perfect mix of swagger and sing-along chorus. Hagar later recalled in a video interview that the title itself made the job easy: “You just say the words ‘Heavy Metal’ in a song, and you’ve already got the audience.”

Released as part of the soundtrack, Hagar’s “Heavy Metal” stood out immediately. It wasn’t just a track for a film—it became a calling card for an era where rock and pop culture were crashing together in glorious technicolor. Decades later, it still captures that raw, electric moment when music and movie magic fused.