Fight Song (Rachel Platten song)

"Fight Song"
Single by Rachel Platten
from the album Fight Song and Wildfire
B-side	"Lone Ranger"
Released	February 19, 2015
Format	Digital download
Recorded	2014
Length	3:22
Label	Columbia
Writer(s)	Rachel Platten David Bassett
Producer(s)	Jon Levine[1]
Rachel Platten singles chronology
"1,000 Ships" (2011) "Fight Song" (2015) "Stand by You" (2015)

"Fight Song" is a song recorded by American singer and songwriter Rachel Platten, released as a single by Columbia Records on February 19, 2015. It appears on her extended play (EP) of the same name (2015) and on her major label debut studio album, and third overall, Wildfire (2016). Platten co-wrote the song with Dave Bassett.

The song peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 and also reached number one of the Adult Contemporary and Adult Pop Songs airplay charts. Outside the United States, "Fight Song" topped the charts in the United Kingdom and also peaked within the top ten of the singles charts in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the Republic of Ireland and the top twenty of the charts in Slovakia. It has sold two million copies in the United States, earning a double platinum certification by the RIAA.

Background

Rachel Platten said of her inspiration: "'Fight Song' was inspired by a lot of experiences that were hurting me and that were making me feel like maybe I didn’t have a chance in this industry. I wrote it because I needed to remind myself that I believed in myself. No matter what, I still was gonna make music, even if it was on a small scale. Even if it was just for me." She also said: "I really challenged myself in writing the past couple of years to be vulnerable in my lyrics. I didn’t want to skate past what was hurting. It didn’t scare me to be vulnerable because I think that’s when you get something great."^[2]

Composition

According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by Platten Music Publishing, the song is written in the key of G major with a moderate tempo of 88 beats per minute. The song follows a chord progression of G – G5/F♯ – Em – Csus2, and Platten's vocals span from G₃ to E₅.^[3]

Critical reception

"Fight Song" has received positive reviews from critics, agreeing that the song's positive message and Platten's vocals were the song's strongest features. A review by Markos Papatados from the Digital Journal stated "The lyrics for "Fight Song" are captivating and they tug at the heartstrings. It is a track from her Fight Song EP, which was released on May 15. Platten's vocals are crisp and impressive, where the listener can recall such songstresses as Taylor Swift and Tristan Prettyman. Her lyrics are powerful and they paint a vivid picture in the minds of her listeners."^[4]

Commercial performance

The song first charted in Australia, debuting at 35 on the ARIA Charts on April 12, 2015. The song eventually peaked at number 2 in Australia on July 12, 2015.^[5] It later reached number 8 in New Zealand after first being covered as a charity single by The X Factor top 12.^[6]

The song debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 chart of May 2, 2015 at number 80, becoming Platten's first entry on the chart.^[7] On July 18, 2015, the song entered the top 10 at number 10, becoming her first top 10.^[8] On August 19, 2015, the song eventually peaked at number 6.^[9] It has also reached double platinum sales in the US, selling over 2 million copies in Platten's home country. "Fight Song" also peaked at number one on the Billboard Adult Top 40 chart for 4 weeks, number one on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart for 4 weeks, number 3 on the Billboard Digital Songs chart, number 6 on the Billboard Radio Songs chart, and number 8 on the Pop Songs chart. Elsewhere, it peaked at number 5 on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100.

In the United Kingdom, the song jumped from number sixty eight to the top of the UK Singles Chart on August 28, 2015 – for the week ending date September 3, 2015 – becoming Platten's first chart-topping song, and overall top ten hit, in Britain.^[10][11]

In the Republic of Ireland, the song peaked at number six on the Irish Singles Chart.

On April 25, 2016, this song peaked at number nine on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 chart.

Music video

An accompanying music video directed by James Lees was released on May 19, 2015.^[12] The shooting lasted four days.^[13] Platten said of the concept: "I wanted my video to show both sides of that – my fear and pain – but I also hoped to show that sometimes to overcome battles we just have to let go."^[14]

Live performances

Platten appeared as a special guest during Taylor Swift's 1989 World Tour in Philadelphia on June 13, 2015, where Platten and Swift performed "Fight Song" together.^[15] On August 16, 2015, Platten performed the song at the 2015 Teen Choice Awards in Los Angeles.^[16] On July 12, 2016, Platten performed "Fight Song" at the 2016 Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Petco Park in San Diego, where baseball fans and players held up cards with the names of people they knew were battling cancer to dedicate the performance to them.^[17]

Usage in media

• The song has been featured in the television shows Revenge and Pretty Little Liars in addition to advertisements for Ford cars and the CBS television series Supergirl.
• "Fight Song" was named the official theme song for the 2015 "Rise Above Cancer" campaign that appeared on most WWE shows throughout the month of October as part of the company's partnership with Susan G. Komen.
• The song has been used in a series of Ford TV commercials for their line of SUV's, namely, the 2015 Ford Edge and 2016 Ford Explorer.
• "Fight Song" was named the official theme song of the 2016 IIHF World Women's U18 Championship held in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. Each game was opened with images of the participating countries as well as flag bearers who represented each country at centre ice as the song played.
• The song has frequently been used by Hillary Clinton at events in her campaign for the 2016 presidential election in conjunction with the slogan "Fighting for Us".^[18][19]
• Calysta Bevier sang "Fight Song" during her audition for the eleventh season of America's Got Talent in 2016. Bevier also sang the same song at a high school talent show, which went on to become a viral video, landing her on The Ellen DeGeneres Show singing the same song with Rachel Platten.^[20]
• An a cappella version of the song was released for the 2016 Democratic National Convention by Elizabeth Banks, featuring some of her Pitch Perfect co-stars Ben Platt, Chrissie Fit, Ester Dean, Hana Mae Lee, John Michael Higgins, Kelly Jakle, Mike Tompkins, Shelley Regner along with celebrity supporters Aisha Tyler, Alan Cumming, America Ferrera, Billy Porter, Connie Britton, Ellen Greene, Eva Longoria, Garrett Clayton, Ian Somerhalder, Idina Menzel, Jaime King, Jane Fonda, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Josh Lucas, Julie Bowen, Kathy Najimy, Kristin Chenoweth, Mandy Moore, Mary McCormack, Mary-Louise Parker, Nikki Reed, Renee Fleming, Rob Reiner, Sia, T. R. Knight and Platten herself.^[21]

Track listing

Digital download – single^[22]

1. "Fight Song" – 3:22
2. "Lone Ranger" – 3:07

Other versions

• Dave Aude Remix
• Dave Aude Radio Edit
• DJ Mike D Remix
• DJ Mike D Radio Mix

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts Chart (2015–16) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[23] 2 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[24] 13 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[25] 26 Belgium (Ultratip Wallonia)[26] 6 Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[27] 5 Canada AC (Billboard)[28] 1 Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[29] 17 Canada Hot AC (Billboard)[30] 3 Czech Republic (Rádio Top 100)[31] 20 Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[32] 19 Europe (Euro Digital Songs)[33] 4 France (SNEP)[34] 89 Germany (Official German Charts)[35] 76 Ireland (IRMA)[36] 6 Italy (FIMI)[37] 100 Japan Hot 100[38] 9 Japan Hot Overseas (Billboard)[39] 1 Japan Radio Songs (Billboard)[40] 1 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[41] 75 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[42] 8 Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[43] 10 Poland (Polish Airplay New)[44] 1 Scotland (Official Charts Company)[45] 1 Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[46] 15 Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[47] 35 Spain (PROMUSICAE)[48] 36 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[49] 56 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[50] 38 UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[51] 1 US Billboard Hot 100[52] 6 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[53] 1 US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[54] 1 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[55] 8

Year-end charts Chart (2015) Position Australia (ARIA)[56] 21 Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[57] 23 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[58] 42 UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[59] 65 US Billboard Hot 100[60] 20 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[61] 9 US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[62] 2 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[63] 40 Certifications Region Certification Certified units/Sales Australia (ARIA)[64] 3× Platinum 210,000^^ Canada (Music Canada)[65] 3× Platinum 300,000^^ New Zealand (RMNZ)[66] Gold 7,500^* Poland (ZPAV)[67] Platinum 20,000^* Sweden (GLF)[68] Gold 20,000^^ United Kingdom (BPI)[69] Platinum 600,000 United States (RIAA)[70] 3× Platinum 2,803,000[71] ^*sales figures based on certification alone ^^shipments figures based on certification alone sales+streaming figures based on certification alone

See also

• List of number-one adult contemporary singles of 2015 (U.S.)

References

1. Wass, Mike (April 20, 2015). "Rachel Platten Talks "Fight Song," Making A Difference And Her Long Road To The Top: Idolator Interview". Idolator. SpinMedia. Retrieved June 7, 2015.
2. "Rachel Platten Reveals the Inspiration Behind "Fight Song," Which Has Taylor Swift Singing it in a pizza. Along". VH1. June 12, 2015. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
3. Bassett, Dave. "Rachel Platten "Fight Song" Sheet Music in G Major (transposable) - Download & Print". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved 2016-03-25.
4. Papatados, Markos (June 4, 2015). "Review: Rachel Platten phenomenal on new single 'Fight Song'". Digital Journal. Retrieved February 4, 2016.
5. Trust, Gary (April 22, 2015). "RACHEL PLATTEN - FIGHT SONG (SONG)". Australian-Charts. Retrieved October 5, 2015.
6. "The X Factor NZ Top 12 release 'Fight Song' for charity". More FM. Mediaworks. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
7. Trust, Gary (April 22, 2015). "Wiz Khalifa's 'See You Again' Tops Hot 100 for Second Week". Billboard. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
8. Gary Trust (July 8, 2015). "Wiz Khalifa's 'See You Again' Ties for Longest-Leading Rap No. 1 on Hot 100". Billboard. (Prometheus Global Media). Retrieved July 8, 2015.
9. Trust, Gary (August 17, 2015). "OMI Back to No. 1 on Hot 100, Lana Del Rey Debuts at No. 7". Billboard. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
10. "UK Singles Chart, September 3, 2015". www.officialcharts.com.
11. Moss, Liv (August 28, 2015). "Rachel Platten conquers Official Singles Chart as Fight Song hits Number 1: "I can't really believe it"". officialcharts.com. The Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
12. Gottlieb, Steven (May 19, 2015). "Rachel Platten "Fight Song" (James Lees, dir.)". Video Static. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
13. Wass, Mike (April 20, 2015). "Rachel Platten Talks "Fight Song," Making A Difference And Her Long Road To The Top: Idolator Interview". Idolator. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
14. "Watch a Sneak Peek of Rachel Platten's 'Fight Song' Video". People. May 18, 2015. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
15. McFeeters, Stephanie (June 16, 2015). "Rachel Platten on performing with Taylor Swift". The Boston Globe. Retrieved February 4, 2016.
16. "Teen Choice Awards: Rachel Platten Performs "Fight Song"". The Hollywood Reporter. August 16, 2015. Retrieved February 4, 2016.
17. "Fans, Players Show Their Support for Loved Ones With Cancer at Baseball All-Star Game". Inside Edition. July 13, 2016. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
18. Shanahan, Mark (February 2, 2016). "Hillary Clinton chooses Rachel Platten's 'Fight Song'". The Boston Globe. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
19. Chozick, Amy (February 3, 2016). "Hillary Clinton Adopts 'Fighter' Theme in a Tough New Hampshire Battle". The New York Times. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
20. Jensen, Erin (June 22, 2016). "'America's Got Talent': Simon hits Golden Buzzer for teen cancer survivor". USA Today. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
21. McDermott, Maeve (2016-07-27). "The Best Celebrity Moments of the Democratic Convention Night 2". Retrieved 2016-07-27.
22. "Rachel Platten: Fight Song - Music on Google Play". Google Play. February 19, 2015. Archived from the original on May 20, 2015. Retrieved June 7, 2015.
23. "Australian-charts.com – Rachel Platten – Fight Song". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
24. "Austriancharts.at – Rachel Platten – Fight Song" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved November 18, 2015.
25. "Ultratop.be – Rachel Platten – Fight Song" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
26. "Ultratop.be – Rachel Platten – Fight Song" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
27. "Rachel Platten – Chart history" Canadian Hot 100 for Rachel Platten. Retrieved June 7, 2015.
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31. "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201535 into search.
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34. "Lescharts.com – Rachel Platten – Fight Song" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
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36. "Chart Track: Week 38, 2015". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
37. "Top Digital - Classifica settimanale WK 36 (dal 2015-09-04 al 2015-09-10)". Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
38. "Billboard Japan Hot 100" (in Japanese). Billboard Japan. 23 April 2016. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
39. "Billboard Japan Hot Overseas" (in Japanese). Billboard Japan. 18 April 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
40. "Billboard Japan Radio Songs" (in Japanese). Billboard Japan. 25 April 2016. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
41. "Dutchcharts.nl – Rachel Platten – Fight Song" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
42. "Charts.org.nz – Rachel Platten – Fight Song". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved June 7, 2015.
43. "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved November 9, 2015.
44. "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay New. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
45. "Archive Chart: August 28, 2015". Scottish Singles Top 40. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
46. "SNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201535 into search.
47. "SNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201535 into search.
48. "Spanishcharts.com – Rachel Platten – Fight Song" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved November 2, 2015.
49. "Swedishcharts.com – Rachel Platten – Fight Song". Singles Top 100. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
50. "Swisscharts.com – Rachel Platten – Fight Song". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
51. "28, 2015/ Archive Chart: August 28, 2015" UK Singles Chart. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
52. "Rachel Platten – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for Rachel Platten. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
53. "Rachel Platten – Chart history" Billboard Adult Contemporary for Rachel Platten. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
54. "Rachel Platten – Chart history" Billboard Adult Pop Songs for Rachel Platten. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
55. "Rachel Platten – Chart history" Billboard Pop Songs for Rachel Platten. Retrieved August 11, 2015.
56. "ARIA Charts - End of Year Charts - Top 100 Singles 2015". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved January 6, 2016.
57. "Canadian Hot 100 Year End 2015". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved December 16, 2015.
58. "Top Selling Singles of 2015". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved December 25, 2015.
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63. "Pop Songs Year End 2015". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved December 16, 2015.
64. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2016 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association.
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69. "British single certifications – Rachel Platten – Fight Song". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved September 9, 2016. Enter Fight Song in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select single in the field By Format. Select Platinum in the field By Award. Click Search
70. "American single certifications – Rachel Platten – Fight Song". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
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External links

• "Fight Song" on YouTube