Huey Lewis and the News’ “The Power of Love”: A Timeless Hit Fueled by ‘Back to the Future’
A song initially deemed an unlikely fit for a blockbuster film, “The Power of Love” by Huey Lewis and the News became a defining anthem of the 1980s, inextricably linked to the cultural phenomenon that is Back to the Future.
Forty years after its release, the song continues to resonate with audiences, propelled by the enduring popularity of the film and a recent surge in interest thanks to a successful stage musical adaptation. As Huey Lewis, 75, reflects from his Montana ranch, the song’s success was far from guaranteed. “I didn’t think it was going to work, to be honest, because it’s a love song obviously and there’s no real obvious love object in the thing, but they used it very well,” he said.
The story of “The Power of Love” begins with a request from director Robert Zemeckis and writer Bob Gale. They envisioned a song that captured the energy of their time-traveling adventure, but the initial demo sent by Huey Lewis and the News didn’t quite hit the mark. According to Lewis, Spielberg, Zemeckis, and Gale felt it lacked “an opening bang” – it wasn’t “up enough.” The band responded by adding the now-iconic three-chord opening:
You don’t need money, don’t take fame
Don’t need no credit card to ride this train
It’s strong and it’s sudden, and it’s cruel sometimes
But it might just save your life
That’s the power of love
The revamped track quickly ascended the charts, reaching No. 1 in the US, Canada, Japan, and Australia, coinciding with the film’s release in June 1985. Zemeckis himself has stated that the song provided the “best launch they ever got.”
Lewis initially expressed reservations about writing a song for Back to the Future, admitting he “didn’t know how to write for film.” However, Zemeckis and Gale assured him they simply wanted a song by Huey Lewis and the News, as the character of Marty McFly (played by Michael J. Fox) was a fan of the band. “We were just trying to make the best songs we could,” Lewis explained. “We had no clue that anything was going to happen like that. We were just trying to keep our heads above water.”
The song’s impact extended beyond the charts. A vibrant music video, featuring a nightclub performance and a cameo by Christopher Lloyd as Dr. Emmett Brown in his DeLorean, received heavy rotation on MTV. Lewis recalls the shoot as “one of those really long, arduous video shoots,” lasting until 5 a.m.
“The Power of Love” featured Lewis on lead vocals, supported by the band’s lineup: Chris Hayes on lead guitar, Johnny Colla on rhythm guitar, Sean Hopper on keyboards, Bill Gibson on drums and percussion, and Mario Cipollina on bass. The song’s presence in Back to the Future was multifaceted. Marty McFly has a poster of the band in his bedroom, listens to “Back in Time” (another song recorded for the film), and his band, The Pinheads, performs “The Power of Love” during an audition scene. In a memorable cameo, Lewis himself plays a stern schoolteacher who halts the performance, declaring, “I’m afraid you’re just too darn loud.” Lewis based the teacher’s persona on Jack Craigo, the president of CBS Records, known for his “strange sense of fashion.”
Decades later, Lewis still hears the line repeated to him by fans. He fondly remembers filming the scene with Fox, noting the actor’s humor and musical sensibility. “He’s a musician, right? So he’s got that sensibility and that crazy sense of humour as well. He’s funny. Michael J. Fox is very funny and he was wonderful.”
The success of “The Power of Love” propelled Huey Lewis and the News to international stardom, enabling them to tour extensively and release a string of subsequent hits, including “Stuck with You” and “Hip to Be Square.” Albums Sports (1983) and Fore! (1986) both reached No. 1 on the charts. Lewis consistently defied genre constraints, blending rock, pop, soul, and blues into a unique sound.
The song’s legacy continues with Back to the Future: The Musical, which has enjoyed success in London’s West End, on Broadway, and internationally, including a current run in Tokyo and on Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas. The musical features a new character, “Uncle Huey,” a music producer and relative of Marty’s girlfriend, Jennifer Parker. Lewis expressed his delight with the musical, particularly the contributions of Glen Ballard and Alan Silvestri, who co-wrote the additional music and lyrics.
Despite facing hearing loss due to Meniere’s disease, Lewis remains creatively active, having written a new song for the musical. “I can still hear music in my head,” he says, acknowledging the challenges. “But it’s a struggle, to be honest. It’s a struggle.”
Four decades on, “The Power of Love” remains a staple on radio and streaming platforms, a testament to its enduring appeal. As Lewis reflects, capturing a hit song is often a matter of serendipity. “It’s a wonderful thing,” he says. “The hardest part is not getting the idea but following it through all the way and making sure that you don’t lose it somewhere along the line. Some songs just seem to take off.”
Back to the Future: The Musical is currently playing at the Sydney Lyric, with tickets available until January 25, 2026.
