“Fight Song” is a tune sung by Rachel Platten, an American singer and songwriter. It was released by Columbia Records on February 19, 2015. The song is part of her extended play (EP) also named “Fight Song” released in 2015. It’s the main single from her first big label studio album, called “Wildfire,” which came out in 2016. Platten wrote the song together with Dave Bassett.
The song encourages listeners to keep pushing forward, even in the face of self-doubt and adversity. The song’s message is a rallying cry to never give up and to believe in one’s ability to overcome obstacles and achieve their dreams.
In this article, we’ll analyze the meaning behind the lyrics.
Table of Contents
“Fight Song” Lyrics Meaning
[Refrain]
Like a small boat on the ocean
Sending big waves into motion
Like how a single word
Can make a heart open
I might only have one match
But I can make an explosion
In the refrain, Rachel Platten uses imagery to convey the feeling of resilience and determination. The comparison of being like a small boat on the ocean suggests feeling small or insignificant in the vastness of the world, yet still can make a big impact.
The metaphor of sending big waves into motion implies that even though one might feel small, their actions can have a ripple effect and make a substantial difference.
She also compares the power of a single word to opening a heart, emphasizing the idea that even small actions or gestures can have a profound impact on others. Platten then asserts her own determination by stating, “I might only have one match, but I can make an explosion,” symbolizing that even with limited resources or abilities, she can ignite significant change.
[Pre-Chorus]
And all those things I didn’t say
Were wrecking balls inside my brain
I will scream them loud tonight
Can you hear my voice this time?
In the pre-chorus, Rachel Platten begins with the lines “And all those things I didn’t say, Were wrecking balls inside my brain.” She confesses that there were things she didn’t express, which weighed heavily on her mind like wrecking balls. This metaphor suggests that these unspoken thoughts and emotions caused significant internal distress and turmoil.
By declaring, “I will scream them loud tonight,” she expresses her determination to finally vocalize these pent-up feelings and thoughts. This signifies a turning point, where she’s ready to confront and release the emotions that have been holding her back.
The urgency in her voice is palpable as she asks, “Can you hear my voice this time?” This plea suggests a desire for validation and acknowledgment.
[Chorus]
This is my fight song (Hey)
Take back my life song (Hey)
Prove I’m alright song (Hey, ha)
My power’s turned on (Hey)
Starting right now, I’ll be strong (Hey)
I’ll play my fight song (Hey)
And I don’t really care if nobody else believes (Ha)
‘Cause I’ve still got a lot of fight left in me
In the Chorus, by declaring “This is my fight song,” Platten asserts that the song itself is her anthem of resilience and determination.
The line “Take back my life song (Hey)” suggests that the song represents Platten’s determination to take control of her life and reclaim it from whatever may have held her back or caused her pain. It’s about seizing agency and moving forward with confidence.
Platten expresses her intention to use the song to prove to herself and others that she’s okay, despite any difficulties or setbacks she may have faced. She sings, “Prove I’m alright song (Hey, ha).” It’s a declaration of inner strength and resilience.
The line “My power’s turned on (Hey)” signifies a turning point, where Platten feels empowered and ready to face whatever challenges come her way.
Platten affirms her decision to be strong and resilient, starting from that moment forward. She sings, “Starting right now, I’ll be strong (Hey).” It’s a declaration of her commitment to facing challenges head-on and not letting them defeat her.
In the following line “I’ll play my fight song (Hey),” Platten reaffirms her intention to use the song as her personal anthem of strength and resilience, signaling her readiness to confront whatever life throws at her.
The line “And I don’t really care if nobody else believes (Ha)” reflects Platten’s resolve to believe in herself and her abilities, even if others doubt her.
In the final line “‘Cause I’ve still got a lot of fight left in me,” Platten declares that she’s not giving up, no matter what challenges she may face. She still has plenty of fight left in her.
[Verse]
Losing friends and I’m chasing sleep
Everybody’s worried about me
In too deep, say I’m in too deep (In too deep)
And it’s been two years, I miss my home (I miss my home)
But there’s a fire burning in my bones (In my bones)
Still believe, yeah, I still believe
In the verse, Platten begins by acknowledging the difficulties she’s faced, including the loss of friendships and the challenges of finding rest, as she sings, “Losing friends and I’m chasing sleep.”
In the line “Everybody’s worried about me,” Platten acknowledges the concern of those around her. In other words, her struggles have not gone unnoticed by others.
Platten admits that she feels overwhelmed or “in too deep” in her struggles, singing, “In too deep, say I’m in too deep (In too deep).” This repetition emphasizes the intensity of her emotions and the depth of her challenges.
Platten reflects on the passage of time and the longing she feels for her home, as she sings, “And it’s been two years, I miss my home (I miss my home).”
Despite her struggles and longing, Platten recognizes a fierce determination within herself. This “fire burning in my bones” symbolizes her inner strength and resilience, which continues to drive her forward despite the challenges she faces.
The final line “Still believe, yeah, I still believe” serves as a testament to her resilience, underscoring her unwavering faith in her own strength.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Fight Song”
Platten has described the song as a personal reminder to herself to not give up and to believe in her own strength and resilience. She wrote the song during a low point in her life and did not intend for it to become a global hit. However, within 72 hours of the song being played on the radio, Platten was signed to a major record label.
In an interview with The Idolator, she said:
“I grinded and worked so hard for so long and got to the point of… I didn’t think it was going to happen. I thought I might need to figure something else out. That moment bred ‘Fight Song.’ So that song came because I had to make a decision, ‘Am I going to keep going or am I going to give up on myself?'”
When Billboard magazine asked her about the inspiration behind “Fight Song,” she replied:
“You know, I’ve been doing this career for a really long time, but there was not a lot of reason, at the time when I wrote ‘Fight Song,’ to believe that I should keep going.
There were a lot of signs pointing to me needing to find something else. It was breaking my heart, and ‘Fight Song’ was this declaration that I really wasn’t going to quit, that, it didn’t matter.
Even if I was only going to reach a couple of people a night, I was still gonna do this, I was still gonna find a way to make music and create. I just needed it at the time, you know, I needed that reminder that I believed in myself no matter what.”
The lyrics of “Fight Song” speak to the universal human experience of struggling with self-doubt and adversity. The chorus, in particular, is a rallying cry to keep fighting and to never give up.
In the song, Platten portrays herself as someone who refuses to be defined by setbacks or limitations. The metaphor of a “small boat on the ocean” symbolizes the feeling of insignificance in the vastness of the world, yet the ability to create significant waves of change.
The declaration of having “one match” but being capable of creating “an explosion” expresses the idea of harnessing personal strength to make a profound impact, no matter how seemingly small one’s resources or abilities may be.
The term “fight” in the title symbolizes the struggle against adversity, self-doubt, and obstacles that one encounters in life. Platten uses phrases like “Take back my life song” and “Starting right now, I’ll be strong” to emphasize her determination to reclaim agency in her life.
In the end, “Fight Song” serves as a strong statement for Platten, reminding her to keep going, regardless of the obstacles or doubts she faced.
Jacob Carter is a lyricist. He created the lyrics writing course to teach people how to analyze and write lyrics. He graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in English Literature, so he’s skilled at playing with words.
He’s also an amateur guitarist, which means he knows music and melody very well. With this background, he’s a great lyricist you can rely on to learn writing lyrics.