One day recently I was out for a drive and switched the radio to an oldies station. Tina Turner strutted across the airwaves and belted, “We don’t need another hero,” the theme song from the Mad Max movie, Beyond Thunderdome. I felt myself tuck inward, my heartbeat moving to my throat. I felt a deep longing, like I'd lost something or someone dear. I listened carefully to the lyrics, appreciating that I was on a meandering road. A few moments later I said out loud, "oh my god, we're still here." 

I’d been thinking about the state of our election and all the unrest around the world. Some of it comes from natural causes, but most is of our own making. I made a mental note to look up the lyrics when I got home. I was surprised to find how often this song has been posted on Youtube. Perhaps there's some angst out there about a post-apocalyptic existence. Clearly this is a timeless and meaningful song to a lot of people. Thank you, Tina. 

I've pasted the lyrics below. If you’re feeling pensive, nostalgic, wistful, happy, sad, or maybe just numb - would you ponder this question with me? What is Thunderdome?

We Don’t Need Another Hero

Out of the ruins

Out from the wreckage

Can't make the same mistake this time

We are the children

The last generation

We are the ones they left behind

And, I wonder when we are ever gonna change, 

Living under the fear, 'til nothing else remains

We don't need another hero

We don't need to know the way home

All we want is life beyond Thunderdome

Looking for something, we can rely on

There's gotta be something better out there

Ooh, love and compassion

Their day is coming

All else are castles built in the air

And, I wonder when we are ever gonna change, 

Living under the fear, 'til nothing else remains

All the children say

We don't need another hero

We don't need to know the way home

All we want is life beyond Thunderdome

So, what do we do with our lives

We leave only a mark

Will our story shine like a light or end in the dark?

Give it all or nothing

We don't need another hero

We don't need to know the way home

All we want is life beyond Thunderdome

All the children say

We don't need another hero (we don't need another hero)

We don't need to know the way home, 

All we want is life beyond Thunderdome

What is Thunderdome?

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Released: 1985

Album: Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome

Artist: Tina Turner

Songwriters: Terry Britten / Graham Hamilton Lyle

Copyright: Wb Music Corp.