Performing the most extravagant production number in any of the Rocky films, James Brown, the Godfather of Soul, sings "Living in America", written by Dan Hartman with lyrics by Charlie Midnight.

Singer, songwriter and guitarist John Cafferty, leader of the Beaver Brown Band, recorded "Heart’s On Fire", the inspirational theme of Rocky’s grueling Siberian training. On the US version of the film, a shot of Drago taking steroids is reframed to edit out a needle piercing his shoulder. To keep time with the song "Heart's On Fire" playing in the background, previous shots of the needle full of steroids are slowed down.

"Double or Nothing" (the love theme of Paulie and his robot) was a unique effort uniting two of America’s most popular singing voices for their first recording together. Performed by Kenny Loggins and Gladys Knight, the song, written by Paul Williams and Steve Dorff, is heard only briefly in the film.

Robert Tepper made his recording debut on the IV soundtrack with "No Easy Way Out", a song written by Tepper who was discovered by Sylvester Stallone. "No Easy Way Out" provides the background for Rocky’s reminiscing sequence as he speeds through the night.

Touch, yet another Stallone discovery, made its debut here as well with its rendition of "Sweetest Victory", written by Jake Hooker and Duane Hitchings.

Several duties on the IV soundtrack were given to Vince DiCola (co-writer of "Heart’s On Fire") including composing the film’s score. Sylvester Stallone discovered DiCola in the early 1980’s, first enlisting his talents for several sections of underscoring on the song-oriented Staying Alive soundtrack. A talented musician as well as composer, DiCola plays all the keyboards and synthesizers throughout the Rocky IV score.