“I got the power!” Raylee challenges gender stereotypes with “Hero” lyrics

In her 1986 hit “Holding Out for a Hero”, Bonnie Tyler famously cried for help. The world was in disarray and she wanted someone — a man — to come sort it all out. “Where have all the good men gone,” she asked, “and where are all the Gods?”

Now, as we look toward Melodi Grand Prix 2021 — and at a time that countries like Germany, Norway, Taiwan and New Zealand all have women leaders — Raylee shows how far women’s rights and empowerment has come through her “Hero” lyrics. As she repeats around twenty times: “I don’t need a hero.”

Frazer Mac, one of the song’s co-writers, confirms that this is all about women doing it for themselves: “It’s a 2021 rebuttal to the 80’s song ‘Holding Out for a Hero.’ It’s like how Ava Max recast ‘I’m your Barbie girl’ as the song ‘Not Your Barbie Girl.’ This is a princess who is going to save herself!”

Scroll down for “Hero” lyrics 

What do Raylee’s “Hero” lyrics mean?

Through the song — which gives off a female Weeknd vibe — Raylee offers a sharp rebuke to any man who thinks she needs a saviour. “Trust me, I got the power,” she sings. “Not delicate like a flower, hoping you’ll be saving me, oh no.”

At times it reads as auto-biographical. Raylee, who teaches fitness classes and is a known devotee to CrossFit, has included text that references her own physical strength. She doesn’t see muscle as vanity, but as a reflection of her own ability to persevere and push through.

“I’ve been pumpin’ and stretchin’, so if you see me flexin’, that’s ’cause I know I’m invincible (Oh-oh, oh-oh-oh).”

Laurel Barker, another co-writer, wants people to know that “just because a woman is sexy and gorgeous, it doesn’t mean that she isn’t a badass.”

“It’s about being a strong female who can take care of herself and follow her own path instead of waiting to be rescued by Prince Charming. It’s a challenge to classic gender roles.”

“It’ saying, ‘I might be fierce and hot and gorgeous and slay your life. But I can also chop a piece of wood. Like I don’t need help. I got this. I’m a princess and I’m going to save myself.'”

Hero lyrics – Raylee (Melodi Grand Prix 2021)

Songwriters: Andreas Stone Johansson, Anderz Wrethov, Laurell Barker, Thomas Stengaard and Frazer Mac

Verse 1
Trust me, I got the power
Not some delicate flower
Hoping you’ll be saving me, oh no (Oh-oh, oh-oh-oh)
I’ve been pumpin’ and stretchin’
So if you see me flexin’
That’s ’cause I know I’m invincible (Oh-oh, oh-oh-oh)

Pre-Chorus
This time a different story
You’re not gonna steal my glory
Some things you can’t do for me
Won’t let you come to my rescue

Chorus
Oh-oh, I don’t need a hero, I don’t need a hero
Oh-oh, baby, look at me go, I don’t need a hero
Don’t need a hero
I don’t need a hero, no
Sorry ’bout your ego
I don’t, I don’t, I don’t need a hero

Verse 2
No, I can’t be defeated
Confidence gettin’ heated
It’s no secret that I’m feeling strong (Oh-oh, oh-oh-oh)

Pre-Chorus
This time a different story
You’re not gonna steal my glory
Some things you can’t do for me
Won’t let you come to my rescue

Chorus
Oh-oh, I don’t need a hero, I don’t need a hero (Hero)
Oh-oh, baby, look at me go, I don’t need a hero (No, I don’t)
(Look at me go) Don’t need a hero (Hero, hero)
I don’t need a hero, no (Check your ego)
Sorry ’bout your ego
I don’t, I don’t, I don’t need a hero

Bridge
Oh-oh, I don’t need a hero, I don’t need a hero (I don’t need a hero)
Oh-oh, baby, look at me go, I don’t need a hero
Hero

Chorus
Oh-oh, baby, look at me go, I don’t need a hero (No, I don’t)
(Look at me go) Don’t need a hero (Hero, hero)
I don’t need a hero, no (Check your ego)
Sorry ’bout your ego
I don’t, I don’t, I don’t need a hero

Outro
(Look at me go) I don’t need a hero
(Hero, hero) I don’t need a hero, no
(Check your ego) I don’t need a hero
I don’t, I don’t, I don’t need a hero

What do you think of the “Hero” lyrics? How does it measure up to its Melodi Grand Prix competitors? Let us know in the comments below.