Fight for You (H.E.R. song)
"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.
| "Fight for You" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by H.E.R. | ||||
| from the album Judas and the Black Messiah: The Inspired Album | ||||
| Released | February 4, 2021 | |||
| Length | 4:30 | |||
| Label | RCA | |||
| Composer(s) | ||||
| Lyricist(s) |
| |||
| Producer(s) |
| |||
| H.E.R. singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Fight for You" on YouTube | ||||
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, and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 93rd ceremony. It also received three nominations at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year, winning for Best Traditional R&B Performance. The song reached the number 43 on Flanders' Ultratip chart.
Composition edit
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 edit
"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 edit
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 edit
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] |
| 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] |
Charts edit
| Chart (2021) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[24] | 43 |
| US R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Songs (Billboard)[25] | 23 |
References edit
- ^ a b "2021". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
- ^ a b "H.E.R. Shares New Song 'Fight for You': Listen". Pitchfork. February 4, 2021. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Kaiser, Michael (March 12, 2021). "Judas and the Black Messiah: The Inspired Album Album Review". KTSW. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Hare, Anders (February 5, 2021). "H.E.R. Vows to 'Fight For You' on New Song". Rated R&B. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Fight For You (From the Original Motion Picture "Judas and the Black Messiah") – Single". iTunes Store. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Kellman, Andy. "Judas and the Black Messiah: The Inspired Album". AllMusic. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
- ^ Burlingame, Jon (April 25, 2021). "H.E.R.'s 'Fight for You' Wins Unpredictable Best Original Song Race at the Oscars". Variety. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "A Special "Night In Miami"". Washington, D.C.: Black Reel Awards. February 18, 2021. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
- ^ Chan, Anna (February 8, 2021). "2021 Critics Choice Awards Nominations: See the Full List". Billboard. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
- ^ Freiman, Jordan (March 3, 2021). "Golden Globes 2021: Complete list of winners and nominees". CNBC. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
- ^ Enos, Morgan (November 23, 2021). "2022 GRAMMYs Awards Show: Complete Nominations List". Recording Academy. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
- ^ Willman, Chris (January 12, 2021). "Hollywood Music in Media Awards Announces 2021 Nominees; Kenny Loggins Set for Lifetime Honor (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. from the original on January 15, 2021. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
- ^ "2021 MTV EMA winners: See the full list". MTV News. November 14, 2021. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
- ^ "H.E.R. – Fight for You" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
- ^ "R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales". Billboard. Retrieved September 18, 2021.