Fight for You (H.E.R. song)

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"Fight for You"
Single cover for "Fight for You". In the middle, the name of the single is in front of a star. To its left, a chain is being broken and to the right a fist is being raised. Above and below the star, respectively, the name of the film and the name of the singer are written.
Single by H.E.R.
from the album Judas and the Black Messiah: The Inspired Album
ReleasedFebruary 4, 2021 (2021-02-04)
Length4:30
LabelRCA
Composer(s)
Lyricist(s)
  • Gabriella Wilson
  • Tiara Thomas
Producer(s)
  • H.E.R.
  • D'Mile
H.E.R. singles chronology
"Damage"
(2020) 		"Fight for You"
(2021) 		"Hold Us Together (Hope Mix)"
(2021)
Music video
"Fight for You" on YouTube

"Fight for You" is a song by H.E.R. written for the 2021 film Judas and the Black Messiah. H.E.R. co-wrote it with Tiara Thomas and co-composed and co-produced it with D'Mile. RCA Records released it as a digital single on February 4, 2021.

The song received multiple film award-related nominations including the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song and the Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Song. Ultimately, it won the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 93rd ceremony. "Fight for You" reached the number 43 on Flanders' Ultratip chart.

Composition[]

A picture of H.E.R., a woman in her early 20s. She gives an interview.
H.E.R. (pictured) was asked to compose a song for the film Judas and the Black Messiah

H.E.R. co-wrote "Fight for You" with Tiara Thomas,[1] and co-composed[1] and co-produced it with D'Mile.[2] The song was written for the 2020 film Judas and the Black Messiah, a biographical film about how William O'Neal betrayed Fred Hampton, the chairman of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party in the late 1960s.[3] Film director Shaka King told H.E.R. he wanted to listen to "something contemporary with echoes of 1968". After he heard elements inspired by Curtis 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 the Black Lives Matter movement in the Black community".[5] The lyrics discuss racism, police brutality and equality.[6][7]

Musically, music critics said "Fight for You" was influenced by funk-soul,[8] 1960s rhythm and blues,[9] and 1960s-and-1970s soul music.[10] It has an uptempo sound and starts with "aggressive" drums.[5]

Promotion[]

"Fight for You" was released as the lead single from Judas and the Black Messiah: The Inspired Album[11] on February 4, 2021.[2][12] H.E.R. performed the song live at The Late Show With Stephen Colbert in February 2021[8] and a pre-recorded performance was broadcast at the 93rd Academy Awards pre-show, Oscars: Into the Spotlight.[10][13]

Critical reception[]

Kyle Eustice said H.E.R. conveys singer Marvin Gaye on "Fight for You".[6] Andy Kellman commented that the singer shadows "You're the Man" by Gaye.[14]

Accolades[]

At the 93rd Academy Awards, "Fight for You" won the Best 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]
2021 Gold Derby Awards Best Original Song Nominated [20]
2020/21 Golden Globe Awards Best Original Song Nominated [21]
2020 Hollywood Music in Media Awards Best Original Song in a Feature Film Nominated [22]

Charts[]

"Fight for You" reached number 43 on Flanders' Ultratip chart on February 20, 2021.[23]

Chart performance for "Fight for You"
Chart (2021) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[23] 43

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "2021". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b "H.E.R. Shares New Song 'Fight for You': Listen". Pitchfork. February 4, 2021. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  3. ^ Zacharek, Stephanie (February 12, 2021). "Judas and the Black Messiah Tells a Tragic, Real-Life Story of Revolution and Betrayal". Time. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  4. ^ Tangcay, Jazz (April 5, 2021). "H.E.R. Releases New 'Fight for You' Music Video From 'Judas and the Black Messiah' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b Tangcay, Jazz (March 4, 2021). "H.E.R on Original Song 'Fight For You' From 'Judas and the Black Messiah'". Variety. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b Eustice, Kyle (March 19, 2021). "Review: 'Judas & The Black Messiah' OST Benefits From Jay-Z, Nas, Polo G ... But Lacks Consistency". HipHopDX. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  7. ^ Kaiser, Michael (March 12, 2021). "Judas and the Black Messiah: The Inspired Album Album Review". KTSW. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b Kreps, Daniel (February 4, 2021). "H.E.R. Drops New Song 'Fight For You' From 'Judas and the Black Messiah'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  9. ^ Hare, Anders (February 5, 2021). "H.E.R. Vows to 'Fight For You' on New Song". Rated R&B. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  10. ^ Jump up to: a b Willman, Chris (April 25, 2021). "Watch H.E.R. Sing 'Fight for You' on the Oscars Pre-Show Telecast". Variety. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  11. ^ Sullivan, Jacob (February 22, 2021). ""Judas and the Black Messiah: The Inspired Album" is a fitting sonic addition to Fred Hampton's legacy". The Daily Aztec. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  12. ^ "Fight For You (From the Original Motion Picture "Judas and the Black Messiah") – Single". iTunes Store. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  13. ^ OnTheRedCarpet.com (April 25, 2021). "H.E.R. wins Oscar for best original song for 'Fight for You' from 'Judas and the Black Messiah'". Los Angeles: ABC 7 Chicago. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  14. ^ Kellman, Andy. "Judas and the Black Messiah: The Inspired Album". AllMusic. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  15. ^ Burlingame, Jon (April 25, 2021). "H.E.R.'s 'Fight for You' Wins Unpredictable Best Original Song Race at the Oscars". Variety.
  16. ^ Montgomery, Daniel (April 26, 2021). "The lady doth protest just enough: H.E.R. upsets to win Best Song at the Grammys and Oscars for fighting the power". Gold Derby. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  17. ^ Whitten, Sarah; Cheddar Berk, Christina; Tsai, Katie (April 25, 2021). "Oscars 2021: 'Nomadland' wins best picture at the 93rd Academy Awards". CNBC. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  18. ^ "A Special "Night In Miami"". Washington, D.C.: Black Reel Awards. February 18, 2021. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  19. ^ Chan, Anna (February 8, 2021). "2021 Critics Choice Awards Nominations: See the Full List". Billboard. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  20. ^ Montgomery, Daniel; Beachum, Chris; Dixon, Marcus James; Laws, Zach; Eng, Joyce; Rosen, Christopher; Sheehan, Paul (April 20, 2021). "2021 Gold Derby Film Awards winners: 'Nomadland' wins Best Picture, Carey Mulligan and Chadwick Boseman take lead acting honors [WATCH]". Gold Derby. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  21. ^ Freiman, Jordan (March 3, 2021). "Golden Globes 2021: Complete list of winners and nominees". CNBC. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  22. ^ Willman, Chris (January 12, 2021). "Hollywood Music in Media Awards Announces 2021 Nominees; Kenny Loggins Set for Lifetime Honor (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on April 26, 2021. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  23. ^ Jump up to: a b "Ultratop.be – H.E.R. – Fight for You" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
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