Emmy Award-winning singer and songwriter Stan Bush is best known for his power anthem 'The Touch' from 1986’s Transformers: The Movie. The popularity of the song was undoubtedly one of the major reasons why Transformers: The Movie was voted one of the Top 10 SF movie soundtracks in our recent reader’s poll. Bush chatted to Total Sci-Fi about the genesis of the song and told us what he’s working on now…

Were you commissioned to write 'The Touch' for Transformers the Movie, or did the song exist before then?

We actually wrote ‘The Touch’ for the Stallone move Cobra, but the record label ended up getting the song in Transformers: The Movie. I remember initially thinking it was just some cartoon movie, but little did I know it would become such a phenomenon.

What did you make of the movie and the use of your song in it?

It was very cool. I attended the screening and met some of the people who worked on the movie. It was great how they featured 'The Touch' in the crucial moments in the film.

Did you get to meet any of the cast, such as Orson Welles?

I met Weird Al Yankovic [who also featured on the soundtrack]. He was on the same record label, and we met at an industry party. I also met Greg Berger [Grimlock] and Peter Cullen [Optimus Prime].

Was it disappointing that the song didn't feature in the recent live action Transformers movies? It seemed like a grave oversight...

Yeah, it was a bit of a bummer that ‘The Touch’ wasn’t in the live action film. It was going to be, but a couple weeks before the movie came out, Michael Bay pulled the song. I never really found out why. A lot of fans were disappointed as well.

Transformers fans seem to have taken you to their hearts. Why do you think ‘The Touch’ is such an endearing part of the mythos?

I’m really honored to be associated with the Transformers brand. As you know, your website just named Transformers: The Movie in the top 10 best sci-fi music ever! Thanks so much for the support!

I also did a license deal with Hasbro and ‘The Touch’ is used in two Transformers 2 toys. It’s cool to be a part of the Transformers culture.

The song also showed up in Boogie Nights - this time sung very badly by Mark Wahlberg. What tips would you give him on improving his delivery?

Ha-ha! That was a really funny scene. It was deliberately bad as it was kind of a spoof on the 80s. I’d love to have Mark Wahlberg come on stage with me sometime and sing the song together.

It has recently turned up on the Guitar Hero series of games. How do you feel about that? Some artists have been very critical of the game.

Having ‘The Touch’ in Guitar Hero WT is awesome! Activision had me playing Guitar Hero with the fans at the Transformers convention, BOTCON 09, for the launch. I also performed with my band at the Paramount Studios party for the release of TF2.

Where is the weirdest, or most unexpected place, you have heard the song?

‘The Touch’ was recently featured on an episode of NBC’s Chuck. There was a video game competition to save the world, and this 80s guy who was the reigning champion comes out and the song starts playing. It was great!

Your work also appeared on soundtracks for Kickboxer, The Wraith and Bloodsport. Would you like to do more soundtrack songs?

Yeah, Bloodsport and Kickboxer and The Wraith featured my songs. I really like how music works in films. The 80s-style anthems have an uplifting vibe. I also sang on the theme ‘She’s Got the Power’ for the Sailor Moon soundtrack album. My song ‘Capture the Dream’ was featured in the 96 Olympics. I also won an Emmy for TV song of the year in 1996 on Guiding Light.

What are you working on at the moment?

I’m recording a great new album, which will be released beginning of the year. People can check out what’s happening at http://stanbush.com

Click here to read the results of our Top Sci-Fi Movie Soundtracks reader's poll.