10 Rock Music Songs That Aren't About What You Think
3. (You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party!) - Beastie Boys
In the prime of their careers, the Beastie Boys were the world leaders in causing a fuss.
Part of their brand was this sense of anti-authoritarianism and that is plain to see in their megahit song (You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party!).
As the song implies, the song is all about having a good time no matter what somebody else tells you. In the video, the band turn up unannounced at some nerdy get together, proceeding to tear the place and have fun!
What else is there to say about this song? Well, lots, as it turns out.
Everything just mentioned is actually the total opposite of what the band intended for this song. It was written as a satire of other party-centric songs that the Beastie Boys couldn't stand at the time and was meant to be listened to with a sense of irony.
Unfortunately, nobody got the joke.
Mike D once said of the song, "There were tons of guys singing along to 'Fight for Your Right' who were oblivious to the fact it was a total goof on them."
Maybe you should have been a bit clearer?