THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

578-Public Enemy-Fight the Power.

1989-Number 29 single.

Best Bit-At 0.23. If you’re a Rapper born after the start of the 21st Century, then take a good listen to this, then have a long look at yourself in the mirror. Are you making the most of your right to freedom of speech.

Public Enemy (see also best songs 37) are an American ‘Hip-Hop’ group formed in Long Island, New York, United States, in 1985, and at the time of writing they remain active, with Chuck D, (Carlton Douglas Ridenhour) and Flavor Flav, (William Jonathan Drayton Jr.) being the groups only constant members. Chuck D was born Carlton Douglas Ridenhour, on August 1st, 1960, in Long Island, New York, United States, the group took their name from one of the earliest tracks he wrote called ‘Public Enemy Number One.’ Chuck D is recognised as one of the most influential Rappers of all time, and is a major player in the sub-genre of ‘Hip-Hop’ music called ‘Political Hip-Hop,’ which developed during the 1980’s. Other songs which would come under the ‘Political Hip-Hop’ banner include ‘The Message,’ by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, (see also best songs 290) and ‘F#ck tha Police,’ by N.W.A. (see also best songs 128.) With Public Enemy, Chuck D has released 15 studio Albums, and 41 singles between 1987-2020, he has also released four solo studio Albums, and two compilation Albums between 1996-2018. Chuck D has been a member of two ‘supergroups,’ releasing the Album ‘Objects in the Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear,’ as part of ‘Confrontation Camp,’ in 2001, and ‘Prophets of Rage,’ with Prophets of Rage, in 2017.

‘Fight the Power’ was the first of five singles released from ‘Fear of a Black Planet,’ the third studio Album released by Public Enemy, from April 1990. The song was co-written by Chuck D, Eric Sadler, Hank Boxley, and Keith Boxley, the latter three were part of the production team ‘The Bomb Squad,’ (see also best songs 37) who also produced this track, and it’s parent Album. Prior to appearing on ‘Fear of a Black Planet,’ ‘Fight the Power’ had first been used as part of the soundtrack to the 1989 American comedy drama film ‘Do the Right Thing.’ The films writer, and producer Spike Lee wanted a hard hitting song, Lee has said,’I wanted it to be defiant, I wanted it to be angry, I wanted it to be rhythmic. I thought right away about Public Enemy.’ As with many Public Enemy songs from around that period, numerous samples and loops were used, this was because artists didn’t have to get permission to clear samples, until the landmark case of 1991 (see also best songs 37.)

Chuck D who wrote the lyrics for ‘Fight the Power’ has explained why Bobby McFerrin, John Wayne, (1907-1979) and Elvis Presley, (1935-1977) (see also best songs 954-664-442 and 194) all get name checks in the song. About Bobby McFerrin he has said,’Don’t Worry Be Happy’ (1988-Billboard Number 1 & UK Number 2 single) doesn’t apply to protests. If you’re not worried and you’re happy, you’re like, why protest? Not everybody’s gonna feel like that.’ On John Wayne he has said,’John Wayne is ‘Mr. Kill All the Indians and Everybody Else Who’s Not Full-Blooded American.’ The lyric was assassinating their iconic status so everybody doesn’t feel that way.’ And of Elvis Presley, Chuck D said,’It’s not that Elvis was not a talented dude and incredible in his way, but I didn’t like the way that he was talked about all the time, and the pioneers of Rock and Roll, especially at that time, weren’t talked about at all. When people said ‘Rock and Roll’ or ‘The King,’ it was all ‘Elvis, Elvis, Elvis, one trillion fans can’t be wrong’ type of s#it.’

Of his inspiration for the song, Chuck D added,’I wanted to have sorta like the same theme as the original ‘Fight the Power,’ (1975-Billboard Number 4 single) by The Isley Brothers, (see also best songs 823-508-382 and 176) and fill it with some kind of modernist views of what our surroundings were at that particular time.’ Brian Hardgrove who has played bass for Public Enemy probably sums up the songs meaning the best,’Law enforcement is necessary. As a species we haven’t evolved past needing that. Fight the Power is not about fighting authority, it’s not that at all. It’s about fighting abuse of power.’

‘1989 the number, another summer, sound of the funky drummer. Music hitting your heart, ’cause I know you got soul. Listen if you’re missing y’all, swinging while I’m singing, giving whatcha getting, knowing what I know in. While the Black bands sweatin’, and the rhythm rhyme rollin’.’