Fight the Power

Public Enemy

About Fight the Power

"Fight the Power" is a song by American hip hop group Public Enemy, released as a single in the summer of 1989 on Motown Records. It was conceived at the request of film director Spike Lee, who sought a musical theme for his 1989 film Do the Right Thing. First issued on the film's 1989 soundtrack, a different version was featured on Public Enemy's 1990 studio album Fear of a Black Planet. "Fight the Power" incorporates various samples and allusions to African-American culture, including civil rights exhortations, black church services, and the music of James Brown. As a single, "Fight the Power" reached number one on Hot Rap Singles and number 20 on the Hot R&B Singles. It was named the best single of 1989 by The Village Voice in their Pazz & Jop critics' poll. It has become Public Enemy's best-known song and has received accolades as one of the greatest songs of all time by critics and publications. In 2001, the song was ranked number 288 in the "Songs of the Century" list compiled by the Recording Industry Association of America and the National Endowment for the Arts. 


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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

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Public Enemy

Public Enemy is an American hip hop group consisting of Chuck D, Flavor Flav, Professor Griff and his S1W group, DJ Lord (DJ who replaced Terminator X in 1999), and Music Director Khari Wynn. Formed in Long Island, New York, in 1982, Public Enemy is known for their politically charged lyrics and criticism of the American media, with an active interest in the frustrations and concerns of the African American community. more »

1 fan

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.
Inspiration
The song was commissioned by the director Spike Lee for his film "Do the Right Thing". The director specifically asked the band for an anthem.
Awards
The song ranked No. 1 on Village Voice's 1989 Pazz & Jop critics' poll.
MTV Ranking
MTV named "Fight the Power" the No.1 rap song of all time in 1999.
Collaboration
The 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.
Popularity
The song is not only popular for its musical structure, but also for the strong socio-political message it conveys.
Lyrics Theme
The lyrics confront issues of institutional racism, critiquing figures such as Elvis Presley and John Wayne for their perceived roles in perpetuating racial inequalities.
Songwriters
The song was written by Carlton "Chuck D" Ridenhour, Eric "Vietnam" Sadler, O'Shea "Ice Cube" Jackson and James Boxley III.
Cultural Impact
The song became an anthem for the Black Lives Matter movement and is frequently played at their demonstrations.
National Recording Registry
In 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.
Influence on Other Artists
Numerous hip-hop artists have stated that the song was a significant influence on them, contributing to the essence of socially conscious rap.
Billboard Rankings
The 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.
Live Performances
The 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.
Video
The 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.
Global Impact
The 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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