"The Warrior" is a song by American rock band Scandal featuring Patty Smyth, from their debut and sole studio album, Warrior, written by Holly Knight and Nick Gilder. The song went to number seven in the United States and number one in Canada, as well as number one on the US Rock Top Tracks chart, and won a BMI Airplay Award in 1984. It was also a hit in Australia, where it peaked at number six, and in New Zealand and South Africa, peaking at number 11 in both countries. The music video for the song was directed by David Hahn. The song was used as the opening theme to both the 2017–2019 Netflix television series GLOW, and the 2024 Sonic the Hedgehog spin-off television series Knuckles.

Background

Co-writer Holly Knight said, "I think that idea of being a warrior had been inside me for a long time. I grew up in a somewhat 'dysfunctional' family where there was a lot of drama and fighting. I was always more interested in fighting FOR something rather than fighting with someone, and without being cognizant of it, it was a constant theme in my psyche, and hence, my songs."

Track listings

7-inch single 12-inch picture disc

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications