Fight song: The story behind the song that has inspired the world

“Fight song” by Rachel Platten is a song that hundreds of millions of people around the world have adopted as a dose of daily motivation.

Its powerful sound puts you back on your feet, It’s like an ice-cold shower after a hot day, a global wake up call, or simply a majestic smile going against all the odds.

The story of this song is the crystallization of an artistic resurrection in the world of music.

Rachel had wanted to be a singer from the time she was a girl, but after 12 years of writing, 120 songs credited to her, and several CDs largely passed over unnoticed, she had not yet been able to make inroads into the world of mainstream music as she had wanted.

For any artist — even for the best — if the glory of public acclaim doesn’t eventually arrive, the most fiendish parasitic doubt always descends. “Why keep playing if the whole world seems to ignore me and even rejoices in doing so? What sense does it make to go around the world singing at lousy night clubs till 4 am for 20 people, and touring the States in your mom’s old clunker?” That’s when you have to go to plan B.

And so, at 32, Rachel seriously considered changing course, and for a year vowed to do something new. She was almost convinced: music had ensnared and deceived her long enough.

Then an epiphany took place and she made a sharp U-turn. “I’ll continue to play, because writing music is my call. Singing and song-writing is what I know how to do, and I think I do it well,” she thought. “If I have this gift, I’ll continue down this road, even if there are only 5 people listening to me. My plan B will be to return to plan A with more conviction, more gratitude, and more joy!”

This is what happens when you remain faithful to your call.

Rachel wrote her “Fight Song” at the end of her sabbatical year. It ignited in her hands, and when she listened to it again she began to weep. It’s a spark that touches mysterious chords and rekindles a multitude of hopes.

An artist was born, and to Rachel’s surprise, millions of people all over the world began responding to this battle cry of hope.

“Your song helped me when I had post-partum depression…when I lost my job…when I didn’t have any money to pay the rent…when I was in a car crash…when I was going through chemotherapy…”

Now Rachel’s “Fight Song” has become the battle cry of millions of people across the globe.

Manuel de Teffé