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10 Best Classic Rock Songs About Fighting
Our list of the 10 best classic rock songs about fighting showcases a group of songs that represent many different interpretations of fighting. When we say fighting, it doesn’t always have to mean punching somebody in the face. Fighting could mean challenging one’s inner demons or the battles one faces in society, politics, work, family, religion, economics, and just about any other challenges one encounters in life.
What Does Fighting Really Mean?
Fighting, in the truest sense of the word, means not giving up. It means rising to the occasion despite the consequences one might face instead of just walking away. However, sometimes walking away may also have significant consequences. These songs look to answer or at least explore those questions.
#10 – Mean Street – Van Halen
We open our "10 Best Classic Rock Songs About Fighting" article with a great one from Van Halen. If we were doing a list of the 10 best classic rock album covers about fighting, this one would definitely place number one. I don’t think we’ve ever seen an album cover with so much fighting going on as Van Halen’s Fair Warning. The artwork was based on a painting by Canadian artist William Kurelek. The album was released on April 29, 1981. "Mean Street" was the opening song on what we believe is Van Halen’s best album.
#9 – “Fight the Good Fight” – Triumph
Continuing with this list of fighting songs, we turn to the fantastic Canadian band Triumph. Led by Rick Emmett, who we had the privilege of interviewing here at the site, their song "Fight the Good Fight" takes its place among our list of the 10 best songs about duking it out. This progressive rock music masterpiece was released on the band’s Allied Forces album. It was their fifth studio album, which proved to be very successful for the band. The album featured Rik Emmett on guitars and lead vocals, Gil Moore on drums, and Mike Levine on bass. Who doesn’t love this power trio from Canada? These guys were great.
#8 – Eye Of The Tiger – Survivor
Well, we couldn’t have a list of songs about fighting without at least one song representing the most loved boxer of the silver screen. Survivor’s "Eye of the Tiger" was written as the theme song for Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky III. While Rocky III might not have been in the same league as Rocky I and II, it was still a major blockbuster film that millions of people loved. The song "Eye of the Tiger" went all the way to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed there for six weeks. That’s a pretty successful tune. This great song was written by Frankie Sullivan and Jim Peterik.
#7 – “Fighting My Way Back” – Thin Lizzy
Somehow, it always seemed that these guys were fighting somebody, which is probably why they named their album Fighting. Thin Lizzy was the first rock and roll band I ever saw in concert. They opened up for Queen at Madison Square Garden in New York City in 1976. I’ll never forget that show. Phil Lynott looked badass on that stage, the way he handled that bass guitar and sang those fighting words. One of the greatest groups of all time. We all miss Phil.
#6 – The Wrestler – Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen’s "The Wrestler" is one of the saddest songs ever written about fighting. You don’t have to see the film to understand what Springsteen is talking about, especially in the lyric, "Have you ever seen a one-armed man punching at nothing but the breeze?" The song was written for the film The Wrestler, which came out in 2008. The motion picture starred Mickey Rourke as a washed-up wrestler fighting many demons. It’s a brilliant film, and Springsteen’s words, melody, and arrangement capture the hopelessness of the story so perfectly.
#5 – You Got That Right – Lynyrd Skynyrd
At the halfway point on this fun rock and roll song list about fighting, we return to a band that had their fair share of fights during their early days: the good old boys of Lynyrd Skynyrd. While they don’t have any songs that specifically have the word "fighting" in the title, many of their songs hint at rowdy behavior. Take these lyrics from the song "You Got That Right": "I like to drink and to dance all night, comes to a fix, not afraid to fight."
#4 – 2 Minutes to Midnight- Iron Maiden
Now this song is action-packed. There’s everything in this song. I’m pretty sure the gist of it is about stopping a nuclear war from happening. It makes sense because the song was written in 1984, at the height of the Cold War. It’s definitely a critique on the atomic bomb, war, and everything else that happened from 1945 to 1984 when the song came out. It’s a pretty intense tune written by Adrian Smith and Bruce Dickinson. The song was released on Iron Maiden’s Powerslave album. I love these guys.
#3 – The Boxer – Simon & Garfunkel
While this may not seem like a violent song, as it is sung in such a whisper until the thunder creeps in towards the end, it is indeed a song about a boxer. Although maybe not a boxer in the sense of one in the ring, but rather someone fighting for respect. It all depends on how you want to interpret it. It is definitely one of the most brilliant songs ever written and one of a handful of masterpieces composed by the great Paul Simon. The song became a top 10 hit for Simon and Garfunkel, peaking at number seven. However, the commercial success it had at the time pales in comparison to the legend the song has become.
#2 – “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” – Pat Benatar
The minute you heard Pat Benatar sing this song, you knew right then and there not to mess with her. She had such a tough attitude when she first hit the scene back in the early eighties, and people loved her for it. Of course, it was her voice, the songs, the arrangements, and the overall package that turned Pat Benatar into a star. This has always been one of my favorite songs, which was released on her second album, Crimes of Passion. I just wish she would put out some new music—we need more Pat Benatar in our lives.
#1 – “Street Fighting Man” – The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones have put out so much music over their 60-plus year career, and "Street Fighting Man" is one of their best. The song was released as a single during the summer of 1968 and later appeared on the Beggars Banquet album. It’s a song about politics, revolution, and everything else that was going on in the late sixties. This was a pretty important song at the time for so many reasons and still is today. The song features Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones, Charlie Watts, Nicky Hopkins, and Dave Mason. This is classic rock and roll, my friends.
Conclusion
Fighting is a fundamental part of human nature, and it’s natural to want to express those emotions and challenges through music. The songs on this list showcase a wide range of interpretations and themes, from literal fistfights to metaphorical battles with personal demons. Whether you’re a fan of classic rock, progressive rock, or whatever genre, these songs are sure to resonate with you.
FAQs
- What is the meaning of "flying high, getting hungry, gotta stop and pick up the pace"? This phrase is from the song "Mean Street" by Van Halen.
- According to Eddie Van Halen, this phrase is about a guy who’s in a high-speed situation, whether it’s driving a car or racing a motorcycle.
- Who wrote the song "Eye of the Tiger"?
- The song "Eye of the Tiger" was written by Frankie Sullivan and Jim Peterik, and it was performed by Survivor.
- What is the story behind the song "The Wrestler"?
- The song "The Wrestler" was written for the film The Wrestler, which was released in 2008. The movie is about a washed-up wrestler named Randy "The Ram" Robinson, played by Mickey Rourke. The song captures the hopelessness and desperation of the character’s situation.
- Who are the members of the band Triumph?
- The band Triumph consisted of Rik Emmett on guitars and lead vocals, Gil Moore on drums, and Mike Levine on bass.
Note: This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to promote or glorify violence in any form. The songs on this list are intended to be a reflection of the human experience and should be interpreted in that context.
