| "Fight for You" | ||||
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| Single byH.E.R. | ||||
| from the albumJudas and the Black Messiah: The Inspired Album | ||||
| Released | February 4, 2021 (2021-02-04) | |||
| Length | 4:30 | |||
| Label | RCA | |||
| Composers | ||||
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| H.E.R. singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Fight for You" onYouTube | ||||
"Fight for You" is a song byH.E.R. written for the 2021 filmJudas and the Black Messiah. H.E.R. co-wrote it withTiara Thomas and co-composed and co-produced it withD'Mile.RCA Records released it as a digital single on February 4, 2021.
The song received multiple film award-related nominations, including theGolden Globe Award for Best Original Song and theCritics' Choice Movie Award for Best Song, and won theAcademy Award forBest Original Song at the93rd ceremony. It also received three nominations at the64th Annual Grammy Awards, includingSong of the Year, winning forBest Traditional R&B Performance. The song reached the number 43 onFlanders'Ultratip chart.
H.E.R. co-wrote "Fight for You" withTiara Thomas,[1] and co-composed[1] andco-produced it withD'Mile.[2] The song was written for the 2020 filmJudas and the Black Messiah, abiographical film about howWilliam O'Neal betrayedFred Hampton, the chairman of the Illinois chapter of theBlack Panther Party in the late 1960s.[3] Film directorShaka King told H.E.R. he wanted to listen to "something contemporary with echoes of 1968". After he heard elements inspired byCurtis Mayfield, he approved the song.[4] H.E.R. said that "[t]here's not much that separates that time and that story from what's going on right now with theBlack Lives Matter movement in theBlack community".[5] The lyrics discuss racism,police brutality and equality.[6][7]
Musically,music critics said "Fight for You" was influenced byfunk-soul,[8] 1960srhythm and blues,[9] and 1960s-and-1970ssoul music.[10] It has anuptempo sound and starts with "aggressive" drums.[5]
"Fight for You" was released as the lead single fromJudas and the Black Messiah: The Inspired Album[11] on February 4, 2021.[2][12] H.E.R. performed the song live atThe Late Show With Stephen Colbert in February 2021[8] and a pre-recorded performance was broadcast at the93rd Academy Awards pre-show,Oscars: Into the Spotlight.[10][13]
Kyle Eustice said H.E.R. conveys singerMarvin Gaye on "Fight for You".[6] Andy Kellman commented that the singer shadows "You're the Man" by Gaye.[14]
At the 93rd Academy Awards, "Fight for You" won theBest Original Song award, which was called a surprise as "Io sì (Seen)", "Husavik" and "Speak Now" were seen as the favorites.[15][16]
| Year | Organization | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020/21 | Academy Awards | Best Original Song | Won | [17] |
| 2020 | Black Reel Awards | Outstanding Original Song | Nominated | [18] |
| 2020 | Critics' Choice Awards | Best Song | Nominated | [19] |
| 2020/21 | Golden Globe Awards | Best Original Song | Nominated | [20] |
| 2022 | Grammy Awards | Song of the Year | Nominated | [21] |
| Best Traditional R&B Performance | Won | |||
| Best Song Written for Visual Media | Nominated | |||
| 2020 | Hollywood Music in Media Awards | Best Original Song in a Feature Film | Nominated | [22] |
| 2021 | MTV Europe Music Awards | Video for Good | Nominated | [23] |
| Chart (2021) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[24] | 43 |
| USR&B/Hip-Hop Digital Songs (Billboard)[25] | 23 |
