The 80s power ballad gave its songwriters an Ivor Novello award for the "Best Song Musically and Lyrically". The backing choir from King's House School in Richmond, London, included a young Lawrence Dallaglio.
The song reached No.1 in Australia, Canada, Germany and Switzerland, No.2 in the U.S. and Austria, and No.3 in France and Belgium.
Released by Capitol Records, the 7" single included an instrumental version of "We Don't Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)" on the B-side. The 12" vinyl included an extended version (6:06) on the A-side and an extended instrumental (6:28) on the B-side).
Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome was the third movie in the series. Tina Turner starred in the film as Aunty Entity, the ruthless leader of Bartertown, alongside Mel Gibson.
Sadly for Turner, she would have to wait until 1989 for another major chart hit, although her 1986 album Break Every Rule still managed to achieve a platinum sales certificate in the UK.