Here is some background information on Alabama Shakes from the Hold On Songfacts: The R&B-inspired Rock band Alabama Shakes originated when lead singer/guitarist Brittany Howard approached bassist Zac Cockrell during a high school psychology class in Athens, Alabama and the pair began meeting after school to write songs. Howard and Cockrell then approached Punk-Rock drummer Steve Johnson, who was working at a local music store, to join the band. The trio recorded some of their songs in a studio in Decatur, Alabama and subsequently recruited guitarist Heath Fogg on his return to Athens from college in Tuscaloosa. Originally christened "The Shakes," the band later renamed themselves The Alabama Shakes in order to differentiate themselves from other bands with their original name.
The Alabama foursome gained widespread media attention after releasing a self-titled four-song EP in September 2011 and Rough Trade Records in the United Kingdom and ATO Records in the United States signed them two months later. Hold On was released as the first single from their debut album, Boys & Girls .
Don't Wanna Fight
Alabama Shakes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't cross them lines
What you like, what I like
Why can't we both be right?
Attacking, defending
Until there's nothing left worth winning
Your pride and my pride
Don't waste my time
I don't wanna fight no more
I don't wanna fight no more
I don't wanna fight no more
I don't wanna fight no more
I don't wanna fight no more
Don't wanna fight no more, ah
Take from my hand
Put it in your hands
The fruit of all my grief
Lying down ain't easy
When everyone is pleasing
I can't get no relief
Living ain't no fun
The constant dedication
Keeping the water and power on
There ain't no money left
Why can't I catch my breath?
Gonna work myself to death
I don't wanna fight no more
Don't wanna fight no more
I don't wanna fight no more
I don't wanna fight no more
I don't wanna fight no more
I don't wanna fight no more, ah
No, no, no, no! (Hoo)
Oh, oh
Oh
Woo
I don't wanna fight no more
I don't wanna fight no more
I don't wanna fight no more
I don't wanna fight no more
I don't wanna fight no more
I don't wanna fight no more
I don't wanna fight no more
I don't wanna fight, I don't wanna fight!
I don't wanna fight no more
I don't wanna fight no more
I don't wanna fight no more
I don't wanna fight no more
I don't wanna fight no more
I don't wanna fight no more
I don't wanna fight no more
I don't wanna fight no more
The lyrics to Alabama Shakes' song "Don't Wanna Fight" convey a sense of exhaustion at the constant conflict and struggles in both personal and societal relationships. The lines "Ooh, my line, your line/Don't cross them lines/What you like, what I like/Why can't we both be right?" suggest a struggle for compromise and understanding in relationships. The image of "Attacking, defending/Until there's nothing left worth winning" showcases the futility of conflict, leading to a draining of energy and passion.
The second stanza continues to express this feeling of exhaustion and weariness, with the lines "Living ain't no fun/The constant dedication/Keeping the water and power on/There ain't no money left/Why can't I catch my breath?" conveying a sense of struggling to maintain a basic standard of living. The repetition of "I don't wanna fight no more" throughout the song emphasizes the song's central message. The line "Take from my hand/Put it in your hands/The fruit of all my grief" suggests giving up something precious and hard-won to appease the other in a relationship, while "Lying down ain't easy/When everyone is pleasing" captures the difficulty in standing up for oneself against societal pressures towards conformity.
Overall, the song speaks to the universal experience of exhaustion in conflict and the desire for peace and rest. The Alabama Shakes powerfully express this sentiment through their blend of rock, soul, and blues music, making "Don't Wanna Fight" a standout track.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooh, my line, your line
There are boundaries and expectations between us
Don't cross them lines
Do not violate these boundaries
What you like, what I like
We have different preferences
Why can't we both be right?
Our differences are subjective and there is no universal right or wrong
Attacking, defending
We are putting up defenses and attacking each other
Until there's nothing left worth winning
We keep fighting until there is nothing left to gain or win
Your pride and my pride
Our egos are getting in the way
Don't waste my time
I don't want this conflict to go on any longer
Take from my hand
I am offering you something
Put it in your hands
It is now up to you to take or leave it
The fruit of all my grief
What I am offering is a result of my pain
Lying down ain't easy
It is difficult to be vulnerable and submissive
When everyone is pleasing
We live in a society where everyone is trying to please others
I can't get no relief
I am struggling to find peace and comfort
Living ain't no fun
Life is not enjoyable
The constant dedication
We are often expected to work tirelessly without reward or recognition
Keeping the water and power on
We are responsible for maintaining basic necessities
There ain't no money left
We are struggling financially
Why can't I catch my breath?
I am overwhelmed and unable to keep up
Gonna work myself to death
I am willing to work tirelessly until I burn out
I don't wanna fight no more
I am tired of conflict and want peace
No, no, no, no! (Hoo)
I am emphatically rejecting the idea of fighting
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Brittany Amber Howard, Heath Allen Fogg, Steven William Johnson, Zachary Riley Cockrell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@manuelquitian7807
My life, your life
Don't cross them lines
What you like, what I like
Why can't we both be right?
Attacking, defending
Until there's nothing left worth winning
Your pride and my pride
Don't waste my time
I don't wanna fight no more
I don't wanna fight no more
I don't wanna fight no more
I don't wanna fight no more
I don't wanna fight no more
I don't wanna fight no more, I
Take from my hand
Put in your hands
The fruit of all my grief
Lying down ain't easy
When everyone is pleasing
I can't get no relief
Living ain't no fun
The constant dedication
Keeping the water and power on
There ain't nobody left
Why can't I catch my breath?
I'm gonna work myself to death
I don't wanna fight no more
I don't wanna fight no more
I don't wanna fight no more
I don't wanna fight no more
I don't wanna fight no more
I don't wanna fight no more, I
No, no, no, no!
I don't wanna fight no more
I don't wanna fight no more
I don't wanna fight no more
I don't wanna fight no more
I don't wanna fight no more
I don't wanna fight no more
I don't wanna fight no more
I don't wanna fight, I don't wanna fight!
I don't wanna fight no more
I don't wanna fight no more
I don't wanna fight no more
I don't wanna fight no more
I don't wanna fight no more
I don't wanna fight no more
I don't wanna fight no more
I don't wanna fight no more
@scottyheav
Some people think that's spit coming from her mouth. But if you look closer, you will clearly see its more the combination of soul, funk, blues and rock n roll in kickass liquid form.
@Raufinsfury
haha I love your comment!!! beautiful
@nathanmelendez8757
+Scott Heavens It's that funk shake she was sipping on before they started haha
@roba1899
+Scott Heavens Ha hA haa hahaha !!
@reggiecarter9581
Lol aaaaamen🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿
@michealjohnson990
for real!!
@jessesherer9792
One of the best voices of this generation. So ridiculously underrated.
@gobberrit3474
Jesse Sherer damn straight.
@jeleiciabarley1332
Indeed💯
@60zeller
People don’t underrate her, they are just familiar with her.