Originally there were five members in the band. Franke and the Knockouts were signed by Jimmy Ienner of Millennium Records in 1981 and had three U.S. Top 40 singles and two Top 50 albums. Franke and the Knockouts' biggest single, "Sweetheart," was written by Previte and Guitarist Billy Elworthy and became a Top 10 hit in 1981, peaking at #10 in the U.S. Previte told Songfacts: "The song 'Sweetheart' almost didn't make the record. Jimmy thought it was a hit but a little to cute for a rock band. He was right."
They also wrote and released the original versions of Eric Carmen's 1987 hit single "Hungry Eyes" as well as the song "(I've Had) The Time of My Life," (both of which were featured in the 1987 film Dirty Dancing). Previte would later be an Academy Award winner. The band switched to MCA in 1984 and had several album releases but they disbanded in 1986. The group's other two Top 40 hits were "You're My Girl" and "Without You (Not Another Lonely Night)."
Keep on Fighting
Franke & The Knockouts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
the rest is up to you
wishing and hoping sounds pretty
but you gotta make your move
betting on the numbers
bound to lose your soul
shooting in the dark
dealing with the wrong kind
dealing with the dark side
if dealing with losers
is dragging you under
keep on fighting
they're out to get you
fighting
coming to get you
got to hold on
hold on
hustling and cheating gets over you
but it also gets you down
day dreaming
and lame scheming
is for fools
it's for fools
betting on the numbers
bound to lose your soul
shooting in the dark
waiting on the draw
dealing with the wrong kind
dealing with the dark side
if dealing with losers
is dragging you under
keep on fighting
they're out to get you
fighting
coming to get you
got to hold on
hold on
dealing with the wrong kind
dealing with the dark side
if dealing with losers
is dragging you down
keep on fighting
they're out to get you
fighting
coming to get you
got to hold on
hold on
The song "Keep on Fighting" by Franke & The Knockouts is a message of redemption and hope. The lyrics encourage people to keep pushing through the challenges they face in life, even when it seems impossible. The song starts by admitting that prayer alone won't be enough to overcome the obstacles in one's way. One has to take action, and make their own luck. The chorus tells the listener to keep fighting and holding on despite the odds stacked against them.
The lyrics suggest that one should avoid taking shortcuts or relying on luck, as those strategies are bound to fail in the long run. The BETTING ON THE NUMBERS/BOUND TO LOSE YOUR SOUL line suggests that gambling might bring temporary highs, but these can lead to addiction and ruin. While SHOOTING IN THE DARK/WAITING ON THE DRAW is a reference to taking aim without proper preparation, which is sure to result in being empty-handed. The WRONG KIND/DARK SIDE/LOSERS lines are allusions to the negative influences that someone might encounter along their way: people who will drag you down instead of lifting you up.
A driving rock beat and catchy guitar riff power the song, conveying the urgency and determination that the lyrics exude. Overall, "Keep on Fighting" presents a message of hope to its listeners, reminding them that no matter how challenging life may get, they have what it takes to overcome it.
Line by Line Meaning
praying only gets you so far
While prayer can bring comfort and hope, relying solely on it is not enough to achieve your goals.
the rest is up to you
You have to take action and make an effort to achieve your goals, instead of waiting for divine intervention.
wishing and hoping sounds pretty
While it's nice to have dreams and aspirations, they won't come true without effort.
but you gotta make your move
You have to take initiative and make the first step towards achieving your goals.
betting on the numbers
Relying on luck or chance to achieve your goals is not practical or reliable.
bound to lose your soul
Depending on luck can lead you to lose your sense of purpose and direction in life.
shooting in the dark
Taking random or uninformed actions won't lead to positive outcomes.
waiting on the draw
Relying on chance or other external factors is not conducive to achieving your goals.
dealing with the wrong kind
Associating with negative influences or people who don't have your best interest in mind can sabotage your progress.
dealing with the dark side
Engaging in negative or unethical behavior can lead to negative consequences and affect your personal wellbeing.
if dealing with losers is dragging you under
Associating with people who have negative outlooks or bring you down can hinder your progress and prevent you from achieving your goals.
keep on fighting they're out to get you
Despite obstacles and setbacks, it's important to persevere and continue working towards your goals despite opposition.
fighting coming to get you
There will always be challenges and obstacles but it's important to face them head-on and not give up.
got to hold on hold on
Even when things seem difficult or impossible, it's important to stay grounded and maintain your resolve.
hustling and cheating gets over you
Engaging in unethical or illegal behavior may bring temporary gain but it can also lead to long-term negative consequences.
but it also gets you down
Engaging in negative behavior can also impact your self-esteem and emotional wellbeing.
day dreaming and lame scheming is for fools
Wishing and hoping for things without taking action is not productive or effective.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Writer Stone, Blake Levinsohn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind