Never Surrender (song)


"Never Surrender" is a song by Canadian singer Corey Hart. It was released in June 1985 as the first single from his second album, Boy in the Box. The song was number-one for four weeks in Canada and was Hart's highest charting single in the United States, reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100 in August 1985.
The song won a Juno Award in 1985 for the "Single of the Year", and was certified Platinum in Canada for sales of over 100,000 copies in 1985.
"Never Surrender" has been featured in the Hulu series Future Man Episode 10 "Operation: Natal Attraction" and in the Netflix series Stranger Things, season 3, episode 1 "Suzie, Do You Copy?", The Goldbergs, season 7, episode 13 "Geoff the Pleaser".
In May 2020, Hart announced the release of a new version of the song, with the lyrics updated to reflect a message of resilience and hope during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Critical reception

has since called "Never Surrender": "a soaring power ballad of empowerment, giving this album a greater musical and emotional range than his debut." Regarding the song becoming another US hit single Hart said "I really think it's difficult breaking into America regardless of where you're from. I don't think it's any more difficult for a Canadian act than for a band from Oklahoma".

Music video

The music video features a story line of Hart leaving his home after an argument with his father and hitchhiking his way to a major city where he finds himself alone and ends with a 'live' performance with his band. Portions of the video were filmed on Yonge Street, Spadina Avenue and Queen Street West in downtown Toronto, including the now defunct Crest Grill. The video's director, Rob Quartly, had worked with Hart on three previous music videos and Quartly was again nominated for a Juno Award for his work on this video.

Performers

Year-end chart Rank
US Top Pop Singles 44