Fight the Power
Public Enemy
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Yet our best trained, best educated, best equipped, best prepared troops refuse to fight As a matter of fact, it’s safe to say that they would rather switch than fight 1989 the number another summer (get down) Sound of the funky drummer Music hitting your heart 'cause I know you got soul (Brothers and sisters, hey) Listen if you're missing y'all Swinging while I'm singing Giving whatcha getting Knowing what I know While the Black bands sweatin' And the rhythm rhymes rollin' Got to give us what we want (uh) Gotta give us what we need (hey) Our freedom of speech is freedom or death We got to fight the powers that be Lemme hear you say Fight the power (lemme hear you say) Fight the power Fight the power Fight the power Fight the power Fight the power Fight the power We've got to fight the powers that be As the rhythm designed to bounce What counts is that the rhymes Designed to fill your mind Now that you've realized the pride's arrived We got to pump the stuff to make us tough From the heart It's a start, a work of art To revolutionize make a change nothing's strange People, people we are the same No we're not the same 'Cause we don't know the game What we need is awareness, we can't get careless You say what is this? My beloved let's get down to business Mental self defensive fitness (Yo) bum rush the show You gotta go for what you know To make everybody see, in order to fight the powers that be Lemme hear you say Fight the power (lemme hear you say) Fight the power Fight the power Fight the power Fight the power Fight the power Fight the power We've got to fight the powers that be Fight the power (lemme hear you say) Fight the power Fight the power Fight the power Fight the power Fight the power We've got to fight the powers that be Elvis was a hero to most but he Elvis was a hero to most Elvis was a hero to most But he never meant shit to me you see Straight up racist that sucker was Simple and plain Mother f*ck him and John Wayne 'Cause I'm Black and I'm proud I'm ready and hyped plus I'm amped Most of my heroes don't appear on no stamps Sample a look back you look and find Nothing but rednecks for four hundred years if you check Don't worry be happy Was a number one jam Damn if I say it you can slap me right here (Get it) let's get this party started right Right on, c'mon What we got to say (yeah) Power to the people no delay Make everybody see In order to fight the powers that be Fight the power Fight the power Fight the power Fight the power We've got to fight the powers that be What have we got to say? (yeah) Fight the power (yeah, yeah, yeah) What have we got to say? (yeah) Fight the power (come on) What have we got to say? (yeah) Fight the power (yeah, yeah, yeah) What have we got to say? (yeah) Fight the power (come on) Yo check this out man OK talk to me about the future of Public Enemy The future of Public Enemy gotta
Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer
Written by: Carlton Ridenhour, Eric Sadler, Hank Shocklee, Keith Shocklee
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
15 facts about this song
Release Date and Album"Fight the Power" by Public Enemy was first released as a single in 1989 and later as part of their album "Fear of a Black Planet" in 1990.
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InspirationThe song was commissioned by the director Spike Lee for his film "Do the Right Thing". The director specifically asked the band for an anthem.
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AwardsThe song ranked No. 1 on Village Voice's 1989 Pazz & Jop critics' poll.
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MTV RankingMTV named "Fight the Power" the No.1 rap song of all time in 1999.
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CollaborationThe track features samples from different songs such as "Hot Pants Road" by The JaB's, "Give It Up or Turnit a Loose" by James Brown, and "Teddy's Jam" by Guy.
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PopularityThe song is not only popular for its musical structure, but also for the strong socio-political message it conveys.
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Lyrics ThemeThe lyrics confront issues of institutional racism, critiquing figures such as Elvis Presley and John Wayne for their perceived roles in perpetuating racial inequalities.
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SongwritersThe song was written by Carlton "Chuck D" Ridenhour, Eric "Vietnam" Sadler, O'Shea "Ice Cube" Jackson and James Boxley III.
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Cultural ImpactThe song became an anthem for the Black Lives Matter movement and is frequently played at their demonstrations.
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National Recording RegistryIn 2020, "Fight the Power" was added to the Library of Congress's National Recording Registry for its cultural, historical and aesthetic importance to the nation's recorded sound heritage.
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Influence on Other ArtistsNumerous hip-hop artists have stated that the song was a significant influence on them, contributing to the essence of socially conscious rap.
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Billboard RankingsThe single reached No. 20 on the Hot R&B Singles chart, No.15 on the Dance Club Songs chart, and No. 1 on the Hot Rap Songs chart.
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Live PerformancesThe song was performed live on stage at the Oscars in 2020, opening the show with a rousing rendition set against a backdrop of iconic film moments.
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VideoThe music video for 'Fight the Power’ showcases a protest rally featuring Public Enemy members and a group of protesters marching to the syncopation of the song.
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Global ImpactThe song has gone beyond the borders of the United States and, due to its strong message, has been used in protests and rallies across the globe.
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Citation
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