A member of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra during her youth, Winehouse signed to Simon Fuller's 19 Management in 2002 and soon recorded a number of songs before signing a publishing deal with EMI. She also formed a working relationship with producer Salaam Remi through these record publishers. Winehouse's debut album, Frank, was released in 2003. Many of the album's songs were influenced by jazz and, apart from two covers, were co-written by Winehouse. Frank was a critical success in the UK and was nominated for the Mercury Prize. The song "Stronger Than Me" won her the Ivor Novello Award for Best Contemporary Song from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors.
Winehouse released her follow-up album, Back to Black, in 2006, which went on to become an international success and one of the best-selling albums in UK history. At the 2007 Brit Awards it was nominated for British Album of the Year, and she received the award for British Female Solo Artist. The song "Rehab" won her a second Ivor Novello Award. At the 50th Grammy Awards in 2008, she won five awards, tying the then record for the most wins by a female artist in a single night and becoming the first British woman to win five Grammys, including three of the General Field "Big Four" Grammy Awards: Best New Artist, Record of the Year and Song of the Year (for "Rehab"), as well as Best Pop Vocal Album.
Winehouse was plagued by drug and alcohol addiction. She died of alcohol poisoning on 23 July 2011, at the age of 27. After her death, Back to Black temporarily became the UK's best-selling album of the 21st century. VH1 ranked Winehouse 26th on their list of the 100 Greatest Women in Music.
Some Holy War
Amy Winehouse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Some unholy war
I would be behind him
Straight shook up beside him
With strength he didn't know
It's you I'm fighting for
He can't lose with me in tow
(With me in tow)
(To let him go)
At his side, and drunk on pride
We wait for the blow
We put it in writing
But who you writing for?
Just us on kitchen floor
Justice done
Reciting, my stomach standing still
Like you're reading my will
He still stands in spite of what his scars say
(Still standing tall)
And I'll battle 'til this bitter finale
(Let all them know)
Just me, my dignity, and this guitar case, whoa, whoa
If, if my man is fighting some unholy war
I will stand beside you
And who you dying for?
B, I would have died too
I'd have liked to
If my man was fighting
Some unholy war
If my man was fighting
Some unholy war
If my man was fighting
Some unholy war
In Amy Winehouse's song "Some Unholy War," she speaks about standing by her man's side if he were in a fight, describing it as an "unholy war." This imagery depicts a battle that is not just physical but emotional and spiritual. She expresses her love and loyalty towards her man, saying that she would refuse to let him go and be his support system throughout the fight. She also points out that with her behind him, he could not lose, and together they would wait for the final blow.
The song also has a section where she talks about putting things in writing, but it is unclear who she is writing for. Perhaps she is writing a letter to her man, acknowledging her love and commitment to him. She mentions being on the kitchen floor alone with her thoughts, contemplating the battle and the outcome. In the end, she decides to fight till the bitter end, with just her dignity and a guitar case.
Overall, "Some Unholy War" is a powerful and emotional song that speaks about love, loyalty, and the strength that comes with supporting one another through tough times.
Line by Line Meaning
If my man was fighting
If my partner was fighting a difficult battle
Some unholy war
A morally corrupt and unjust situation or conflict my partner is experiencing
I would be behind him
I would offer my support and stand by his side
Straight shook up beside him
I would be scared and anxious, but still next to him
With strength he didn't know
I would provide him with unwavering support he may not have realized he had
It's you I'm fighting for
I'm fighting for my partner, for his well-being and success in this war
He can't lose with me in tow
I'm convinced that my support is crucial for my partner's victory
I refuse to let him go
I refuse to abandon or give up on my partner
At his side, and drunk on pride
I feel proud and honored to be supporting my partner
We wait for the blow
We prepare ourselves for any upcoming obstacles and struggles in this war
Put it in writing
Record this moment and our commitment in writing
But who you writing for?
Who will read or see this writing, and who will it benefit?
Just us on kitchen floor
This is a private and personal moment between us, happening in our kitchen
Justice done
We seek justice and fairness in this war
Reciting, my stomach standing still
As I recite our commitment, I feel nervous and uneasy
Like you're reading my will
This moment feels like a reflection of my last will and testament
He still stands in spite of what his scars say
My partner remains strong in the face of his past struggles and trauma
I'll battle till this bitter finale
I will continue to fight alongside my partner until the end, whatever the outcome may be
Just me, my dignity, and this guitar case, whoa, whoa
All I have left is my pride, integrity, and this guitar case as I continue to support my partner
If, if my man is fighting some unholy war
If my partner is facing a deeply troubling and unjust conflict
And I will stand beside you
I will remain right next to my partner throughout this war
But who you dying for?
Who are you putting your life on the line for in this struggle?
B, I would have died too
I too would be willing to sacrifice everything for my partner and this cause
I'd have liked to
I wish I could have been there with my partner, fighting alongside him
If my man was fighting some unholy war
If my partner was facing a morally corrupt and unjust conflict
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Amy Winehouse
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind