Holloway did not fit the Motown mold well. She lived in Los Angeles, not Detroit. She also had a grittier edge than the typical polished Motown performer, and wrote songs as well as sang them, which was unprecedented for a female Motown artist. Brenda Hollowy inspired many pop artists, including The Beatles who asked her to perform as the opening act on their 1965 tour of the U.S. She was the only female to open for them.
Fighting For What's Right
Brenda Holloway Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A message for you and a message for me
Don't be mistreated by any man
So the time has come to set myself free
This is the last time that I'll be used
This is the last man to walk over me
My emotions have been abused
In this big great world out there
I'm determined that I'll find somewhere
The one to forget my sorrows
To give me respect
And to share tomorrow
Fighting for what's right
Fighting for what's fair
Fighting for what's right
I'm missing someone who's really gonna care
This is the last time that I'll be weak
That was the last man to hurt me inside
I won't be silent, I'm gonna speak
No-one can take away all of my pride
It's the truth, I was innocent
I believed those words he never meant
He almost took my sweetness away
But the fire's back, and it's gonna stay
Fighting for what's right
Fighting for what's fair
Fighting for what's right
I deserve someone who's really gonna care
He'll never use me any more
I'm standing strong, I'm standing strong
Fighting for what's right
Fighting for what's fair
Fighting for what's right
I'm missing someone who's really gonna care
Oh stand up women everywhere
You don't have to be mistreated any more
No, no, no, no
I'm standing up and acting strong
Never again will I be treated wrong
The rest of my life is just beginning
And I'm gonna make sure, sure, sure I'm winning
This is the last time I'll go for a ride
Trying to back out of a dead end street
Never again will I run and hide
Ashamed of being left incomplete
Now I'm holding my head up high
Lifting it right up to the sky
I believe in myself and I'll get through
As long as I always know what's true
Fighting for what's right
Fighting for what's fair
Fighting for what's right
I'm missing someone who's really gonna care
The lyrics of Brenda Holloway's song "Fighting For What's Right" convey a message of empowerment, independence, and resilience. The song begins by acknowledging that there is a higher power, a creator, who has a plan for everyone, including the listener and the singer. It emphasizes the importance of not allowing oneself to be mistreated by others and taking the necessary steps to break free from such treatment.
The lyrics express the singer's determination to no longer be used and walked over by men. Her emotions have been taken advantage of in the past, but she is now awakening to the reality of her situation. In this big world, she is determined to find a place where she can forget her sorrows, be respected, and share a better future with someone who genuinely cares.
The singer declares that this will be the last time she allows herself to be weak and hurt by a man. She promises to speak out and refuse to be silent anymore, reclaiming her voice and refusing to let anyone diminish her pride. The lyrics emphasize the singer's innocence, highlighting her belief in false words from a man who almost took away her sweetness. However, her fire is reignited, and it will remain blazing.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the singer's fight for what is right and fair. She acknowledges her longing for someone who will truly care for her, indicating a desire for a meaningful and respectful relationship. The lyrics call upon women everywhere to stand up against mistreatment, shining a light on the importance of asserting oneself and not tolerating being treated poorly.
The song concludes with a powerful assertion of strength and determination. The singer declares that she will no longer be mistreated or incomplete. She holds her head up high and believes in herself, determined to overcome adversity and always stay true to what she knows is right. The lyrics convey a sense of empowerment and a refusal to settle for anything less than the care and respect she deserves.
Line by Line Meaning
The creator has a masterplan
There is a divine plan for my life
A message for you and a message for me
There is a universal message of empowerment for all
Don't be mistreated by any man
Refuse to be treated unfairly or disrespectfully by anyone
So the time has come to set myself free
It is time for me to break free from negative circumstances
This is the last time that I'll be used
I refuse to be taken advantage of anymore
This is the last man to walk over me
I will no longer allow someone to manipulate or control me
My emotions have been abused
My feelings have been mistreated and disregarded
And I'm waking up to reality
I am becoming aware of the truth and facing it head-on
In this big great world out there
Within this vast world full of opportunities
I'm determined that I'll find somewhere
I am determined to find a place
The one to forget my sorrows
Someone who can help me leave my past troubles behind
To give me respect
To treat me with honor and consideration
And to share tomorrow
And to build a future together
Fighting for what's right
Standing up for justice and fairness
Fighting for what's fair
Advocating for equal and just treatment
Fighting for what's right
Striving for what is morally correct
I'm missing someone who's really gonna care
I long for someone who will genuinely show me care and affection
This is the last time that I'll be weak
I refuse to let myself be vulnerable again
That was the last man to hurt me inside
I won't allow anyone to cause me emotional pain anymore
I won't be silent, I'm gonna speak
I will no longer stay quiet and passive, I will voice my opinions
No-one can take away all of my pride
No one can diminish or strip me of my self-worth
It's the truth, I was innocent
I acknowledge that I was blameless in the situation
I believed those words he never meant
I trusted in empty promises and lies
He almost took my sweetness away
He nearly robbed me of my genuine and loving nature
But the fire's back, and it's gonna stay
My passion and strength have returned, and they will endure
He'll never use me any more
He will never exploit or manipulate me again
I'm standing strong, I'm standing strong
I am asserting my resilience and determination
Oh stand up women everywhere
All women should rise up and assert their rights
You don't have to be mistreated any more
You no longer have to tolerate unfair treatment
I'm standing up and acting strong
I am taking a stand and displaying strength
Never again will I be treated wrong
I will never allow myself to be mistreated again
The rest of my life is just beginning
The remainder of my life holds endless possibilities
And I'm gonna make sure, sure, sure I'm winning
I am determined to secure victory and success
This is the last time I'll go for a ride
I won't embark on futile endeavors anymore
Trying to back out of a dead end street
Attempting to escape a situation with no progress
Never again will I run and hide
I will never retreat or conceal myself out of fear
Ashamed of being left incomplete
Feeling regret or embarrassment for not fully realizing my potential
Now I'm holding my head up high
I am carrying myself with confidence and dignity
Lifting it right up to the sky
Elevating my spirit and aspirations
I believe in myself and I'll get through
I have faith in my abilities and will overcome challenges
As long as I always know what's true
As long as I remain grounded in reality and honesty
I deserve someone who's really gonna care
I am worthy of someone who will genuinely show me care and affection
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: IAN GEOFFREY LEVINE, FIACHRA TERENCE TRENCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind