It was 2015. You couldn't walk into a grocery store, turn on a sporting event, or scroll through Facebook without hearing those driving piano chords. Fight Song was everywhere. But for Rachel Platten, the woman behind the "this is my fight song song" phenomenon, it wasn't a calculated pop hit. It was a last-ditch effort to keep herself from quitting. Honestly, she was thirty-two, which in the pop music world is basically ancient, and she had been grinding in the industry for over a decade with almost zero to show for it.
The song didn't just happen. It took two years to write.
Platten was playing to empty bars and living in a tiny apartment in New York City. She was discouraged. She was tired. She felt like the world was telling her "no" over and over again. So, she wrote a reminder to herself. That’s the irony of it; the track that eventually soundtracked political campaigns and cancer recoveries was originally just a private pep talk.
The slow burn of a global anthem
Most people think "Fight Song" was an overnight success because of how fast it rose on the Billboard charts once Columbia Records signed her. That’s not really the case. Platten had already released two albums that went nowhere. She was working with songwriter Dave Bassett, and they went through dozens of iterations of the lyrics. She wanted it to be perfect because she felt like it was her last shot.
The song eventually peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100. It went quadruple platinum. That’s a lot of digital downloads. But the numbers don’t tell the whole story. What actually happened was a weird, organic explosion of "this is my fight song song" videos on YouTube and Vine. People started attaching the music to their own struggles.
It became the unofficial anthem for the American Cancer Society. It was played at the Democratic National Convention. It was used in Pretty Little Liars. It was unavoidable.
But why did it stick?
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There’s a specific psychological resonance in the lyrics. When she sings about a "small boat on the ocean," she’s tapping into a universal feeling of insignificance. We all feel small sometimes. Most pop songs are about being the biggest, the baddest, or the richest. This one was about just trying to prove you still have "a lot of fight" left. It’s vulnerable, and that vulnerability is what made it a juggernaut.
The backlash and the "earworm" effect
Let’s be real for a second. If you heard the song ten times a day for six months, you probably grew to hate it. That’s the curse of the "this is my fight song song" legacy. It became so ubiquitous that it entered the realm of "cheesy" for a lot of music critics.
Some people found the metaphors a bit heavy-handed. Poking a dormant volcano? A match starting an explosion? It’s not exactly Leonard Cohen. But it wasn't meant to be high-concept poetry. It was meant to be a visceral emotional release.
Musically, the song follows a very specific "power ballad" formula.
- It starts with a simple, recognizable piano riff.
- The verses are relatively sparse, focusing on her vocals.
- The pre-chorus builds tension with a steady drum beat.
- The chorus explodes with layered vocals and heavy percussion.
It’s designed to make you want to punch the air. Even if the lyrics feel a bit "live-laugh-love" to some, the production by Jon Levine is undeniably effective. It triggers a dopamine response. It’s why it’s still on every "Workout Motivation" playlist on Spotify even now, years later.
What most people get wrong about Rachel Platten
People often assume she’s a one-hit wonder. While "Fight Song" is definitely her biggest shadow, she had another massive hit right after called "Stand By You." But the industry is brutal. Maintaining that level of "this is my fight song song" energy is impossible.
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She’s been very open about the pressure that followed. When you write a song that helps people through chemo or divorce, how do you follow that up? You can’t just write a song about going to the club. She felt stuck in the "inspirational" box.
Interestingly, Platten didn't actually make a fortune immediately. Because she had been an independent artist for so long, she had debt to clear. She’s talked about how the success was a relief, but also terrifying because she knew the spotlight was temporary.
The Taylor Swift connection
We can’t talk about this song without mentioning Taylor Swift. During the 1989 World Tour, Swift invited Platten on stage in Philadelphia. That was the moment the song went from a "hit" to a "cultural moment." Swift has a knack for spotting these kinds of underdog stories, and by endorsing Platten, she basically handed her the keys to the kingdom.
It was a smart move for both. It gave Platten's song a massive boost in credibility with the younger demographic, and it reinforced Swift's image as a supporter of female artists.
Impact on the "Inspirational Pop" genre
Before 2015, the "empowerment" anthem was usually high-energy and dance-focused—think Katy Perry’s "Roar" or Sara Bareilles’ "Brave." Platten’s track changed the vibe. It was more somber. It felt more like a prayer than a party.
Since then, we’ve seen a shift in how these songs are marketed. Labels started looking for "authentic" struggle stories. They realized that people don't just want to feel good; they want to feel seen in their pain.
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Actionable insights: How to use the "Fight Song" mentality
If you’re looking at this song not just as a piece of music, but as a tool, there are actual ways to apply its "vibe" to your life. Research in music therapy suggests that "isochronic tones" and rhythmic patterns found in power ballads can actually lower cortisol under certain conditions, though mostly they just provide a psychological "reframing" of a situation.
1. Create a "Resilience" playlist. Don't just put "this is my fight song song" on it. Mix it with tracks that have personal meaning to you. The key is the "iso-principle"—start with music that matches your current (potentially low) mood and gradually transition to higher-energy tracks.
2. Recognize the "Small Boat" phase. In any project—whether it's starting a business or learning a language—there is a phase where you feel like you're making no waves. Platten spent 12 years in that phase. Understanding that the "no waves" period is part of the process, not a sign of failure, is vital.
3. Use music for "Priming." If you have a high-stakes meeting, listen to the song or something similar 10 minutes before. It’s not about the lyrics; it’s about the physiological build-up. The "Fight Song" structure is specifically built to increase heart rate and breathing slightly, which can mimic the feeling of confidence.
4. Be careful of burnout. One lesson from Platten’s career is that "fighting" constantly isn't sustainable. After the whirlwind of 2015-2017, she took significant time off to focus on her family and her mental health. You can't be in "fight" mode 24/7.
The "this is my fight song song" legacy isn't really about the charts or the radio. It's about a specific moment in time where a struggling artist said exactly what a few million people needed to hear. It’s a reminder that even if you think nobody is listening, you should probably keep singing anyway.
Even if you’re just a small boat on the ocean.