Fighting Back Is the New Normal

Song Meaning

Van Morrison's "Fighting Back Is the New Normal" arrives as less a song and more a primal scream of defiance. The track's insistent repetition, particularly the mantra-like chorus, hammers home a message of resistance that's both urgent and vaguely unsettling. The reference to taking "a tip from the French" conjures images of revolutionary fervor, suggesting a need for radical action against an unspecified oppressor. But against what, exactly? The ambiguity is the point, allowing listeners to project their own anxieties and grievances onto the song's framework. The lyrics themselves are sparse, almost rudimentary. The phrase "Ain't gonna take it no more" is a raw expression of frustration, while the call to "step to the people who saved the day" hints at a betrayal of trust. The recurring line about needing to "get it for myself" suggests a desire for autonomy and self-determination, a refusal to be dependent on external forces. The simplicity of the language is a deliberate choice, stripping away nuance in favor of direct, visceral appeal. Morrison isn't interested in intellectual debate; he's aiming for the gut. Ultimately, "Fighting Back Is the New Normal" functions as a protest anthem for an age of generalized discontent. Its power lies not in its lyrical complexity or melodic innovation, but in its ability to tap into a collective feeling of powerlessness and resentment. The listener is left to fill in the blanks, to define the enemy and decide what "fighting back" actually entails. This open-endedness may be its greatest strength, allowing the song to resonate with a wide range of listeners who feel that the old order is no longer sustainable. Whether that fight is justified or misguided is left entirely to the individual.