"Fight Song" is a song by American singer-songwriterRachel Platten, released on February 19, 2015, throughColumbia Records. The song was included on Platten's debutextended play (EP)of the same name (2015), and her second studio album,Wildfire (2015). Thepop rock song was written by Platten andDave Bassett, and produced byJon Levine. Platten, at the time a struggling musician, was inspired to write the song to promote self-empowerment.
James Lees directed themusic video for "Fight Song", which features Platten wandering around a city and performing at a bar. In further promotion, Platten performed the song at award shows, sporting events, and as guest onTaylor Swift's tour. Media usage has included placement in popular films, television shows, and commercials. It was adopted as acampaign song byHillary Clinton for her2016 U.S. presidential campaign.
On August 25, 2025, Platten announcedFight Song (Rachel's Version), a new album including re-recorded versions of "Fight Song", "Stand By You" and other songs fromWildfire.Fight Song (Rachel's Version) was released on September 26, 2025.[2]
In the version published at Musicnotes.com by Platten Music Publishing, the sheet music is in the key of G major with a moderate tempo of 88 beats per minute. The song follows a chord progression of G – D – Em – C, and Platten's vocals span from G3. to E5.[3] Musically, "Fight Song" is apop rock song backed by apiano. "Fight Song" starts off with a simple melody played on the piano, as Platten starts to sing the first stanza and pre-chorus which introduces a drum and horns that play throughout. The song ends with an acoustic guitar, as Platten sings the outro. It has a duration of three minutes and twenty-two seconds.[4]
"Fight Song" has received positive reviews from critics, who agree that the song's positive message and Platten's vocals were the song's strongest features. A review by Markos Papatados from theDigital Journal stated "The lyrics for 'Fight Song' are captivating and they tug at the heartstrings. It is a track from herFight 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 andTristan Prettyman. Her lyrics are powerful and they paint a vivid picture in the minds of her listeners."[5]
The song first charted in Australia, debuting at 35 on theARIA Charts on April 12, 2015. The song eventually peaked at number 2 in Australia on July 12, 2015.[6] It later reached number 8 in New Zealand after first being covered as a charity single byThe X Factor top 12.[7]
The song debuted on theBillboard Hot 100 chart of May 2, 2015 at number 80, becoming Platten's first entry on the chart.[8] On July 18, 2015, the song entered the top 10 at number 10, becoming her first top 10.[9] On August 19, 2015, the song eventually peaked at number 6.[10] It has also reached quadruple platinum sales in the US, selling over 2 million copies in Platten's home country. "Fight Song" also peaked at number one on theBillboard Adult Top 40 chart for 4 weeks, number one on theBillboard Adult Contemporary chart for 4 weeks, number 3 on theBillboard Digital Songs chart, number 1 on theBillboard Radio Songs chart, and number 8 on the Pop Songs chart. Elsewhere, it peaked at number 5 on theBillboardCanadian Hot 100.
In the United Kingdom, the song jumped from number sixty eight to the top of theUK 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.[11][12] In the Republic of Ireland, the song peaked at number six on theIrish Singles Chart. On April 25, 2016, this song peaked at number nine on theBillboardJapan Hot 100 chart.
On October 31, 2024,The Boston Globe reported that, based on data fromAudacy, radio stations 106.7 and 104.1 are playing "Fight Song" nearly 500 times a week despite the song being released nine years ago.[13]
An accompanyingmusic video directed by James Lees was released on May 19, 2015.[14] The shooting lasted four days.[15] 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."[16]
Platten performing "Fight Song" at the closing ceremony of the 2016Invictus Games
On April 25, 2015, Platten performed the song for the first time at the2015 Radio Disney Music Awards. Platten appeared as a special guest duringTaylor Swift's1989 World Tour in Philadelphia on June 13, 2015, where Platten and Swift performed "Fight Song" together.[17] On August 16, 2015, Platten performed the song at the2015 Teen Choice Awards inLos Angeles.[18] On July 12, 2016, Platten performed "Fight Song" at the2016 Major League Baseball All-Star Game atPetco Park inSan Diego, where baseball fans and players held up cards with the names of people they knew were battlingcancer to dedicate the performance to them.[19] On New Year's Eve 2016−17, Platten sang the song as part of her lineup during theTimes Square Ball festivities inNew York City'sTimes Square, which she co-headlined.[20] On January 13, 2025, Platten performed the song prior to a televised NFC Wild Card game between theLos Angeles Rams and theMinnesota Vikings. The song was performed as a tribute to the citizens of Los Angeles as they deal with the wildfires that ravaged the area just a week prior.
The song was adopted as acampaign song forHillary Clinton's2016 U.S. presidential campaign.[21] In February 2016, the campaign began to use the song in conjunction with the slogan "Fighting for Us".[22] It was frequently used at rallies and speeches, with some media commentators labeling the song as synonymous with Clinton's eventual loss in the election.[23][24] An a cappella version of "Fight Song" was performed by a group of celebrities—including Platten—at the2016 Democratic National Convention, and it was played following Clinton's speech at the2024 Democratic National Convention.[25][26] Speaking on the song's use by the Clinton campaign, Platten stated: "I'm proud of how it's been used. I don't have any regrets about it."[27]
"Fight Song" was named the official theme song for the 2015 "Rise Above Cancer" campaign that appeared on mostWWE shows throughout the month of October as part of the company's partnership withSusan G. Komen.
The song has been used in a series ofFord TV commercials for their line ofSUV's, namely, the 2015Ford Edge and 2016Ford Explorer.
"Fight Song" was named the official theme song of the2016 IIHF World Women's U18 Championship held inSt. 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.
Calysta Bevier sang "Fight Song" during her audition for theeleventh season ofAmerica'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 onThe Ellen DeGeneres Show singing the same song with Rachel Platten.[28]
Platten performed the song live atState Farm Stadium before theMonday Night Football game between theLos Angeles Rams and theMinnesota Vikings on January 13, 2025, in response to theCalifornia wildfires. During the performance, she altered the lyrics "I might only have one match, but I can make an explosion" to "We might’ve been knocked down, but I know we’ll keep going," likely to avoid imagery associated with the wildfires.
* Sales figures based on certification alone. ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. † Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.
^"ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic.Note: insert 201535 into search.
^"ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic.Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201535 into search.
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