The Script singer breaks down song based on Roosevelt speech
MANILA, Philippines — Over a century ago in Paris, France, former US president Theodore Roosevelt gave his "Citizenship in a Republic" speech to lay out the importance of participating in a democracy.
The speech is famous for his "Man in the Arena" excerpt, which shuns those who judge from the sidelines, as credit deserves to be for those "actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming."
This passage serves as the inspiration for the newest song by Irish pop-rock band The Script, the lead single off its upcoming "The User's Guide To Being Human."
The group is set to return to the Philippines in March 2027 for two nights as part of its world tour also called "Man in the Arena," aptly enough performing in the Mall of Asia Arena on both days.
The band's lead vocalist, Danny O'Donoghue, was in Manila earlier this week to promote the tour and the song, which Philstar.com asked him to expound on during a press conference in Pasig.
Using a boxing analogy, O'Donoghue explained that honor goes to people who enter the ring, taking brusises and punches to the face.
"You can be a critic, sit on the outside and tell [others] they're doing a bad job, but history won't remember you," the singer continued. "History doesn't remember the people laughing at the guy who tried."
He pointed out the people who take such risks to be great — even unsuccessfully — are the memorable ones, which the artist believes is a message that is necessary today.
Another example O'Donoghue gave was dishing out nasty criticisms online during such polarizing times.
"Just getting into the ring and doing it, some people are so scared to do what they want to do in life... we're trying to inspire people," he said, even calling "Man in the Arena" the 2026 version of past hits like "Hall of Fame" and "Superheroes."
Philstar.com shared to O'Donoghue that basketball star LeBron James, who has cited the Roosevelt speech as an inspiration in life, writes "Man in the Arena" on his shoes before playing games, which was something the singer did not know.
Having written the new track, The Script is beginning to see more people call the "Man in the Arena" passage their favorite quote, with O'Donoghue counting himself among those inspired by it too. — Video from The Script's YouTube channel
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