10 Famous Rock Songs Written So Fast You Won't Believe
4. (You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party!) - The Beastie Boys
One of The Beastie Boys' signature tunes, Fight For Your Right is about one thing and one thing only - raising hell.
The lyrics perfectly capture that teenage spirit of rebellion, of doing things simply to stick it to an authority figure and assert your independence. It's a great song, which is why it's such a shame that the band absolutely hated it.
According to member Mike D, the song was actually meant as a parody of party culture instead of an endorsement.
"There were tons of guys singing along... who were oblivious to the fact it was a total goof on them," He said. "Irony is often missed."
Americans not understanding irony? Surely not...
The group's flippant attitude towards one of their biggest hits is reflected in the story of how it came to be.
Once again according to Mike D, the song was cranked out in about five minutes and primarily written on the back of some drinks napkins. and yet, the song remains one of the great anthems of rap rock and was among the 100 biggest-selling tracks in the US of the year 1987.
Irony or not, this song sold a bunch.