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Introduction:

“The Fightin’ Side of Me,” originally written and performed by Merle Haggard, was first released in 1970 as part of his album The Fightin’ Side of Me. The song became a significant hit, reflecting Haggard’s stance on patriotism during a turbulent time in American history. It reached the top of Billboard’s Hot Country Singles chart and solidified Haggard’s status as a voice for conservative, working-class Americans during the Vietnam War era. The song’s unapologetically patriotic message critiques those who publicly disparage the United States, delivering lines like, “If you don’t love it, leave it,” which became a rallying cry for many of his listeners.

Fast forward to 2005, Toby Keith, another prominent figure known for his patriotic anthems, teamed up with Haggard for a live performance of “The Fightin’ Side of Me” during the CMT Outlaw special. This collaboration was well-received, with both artists complementing each other’s styles. Keith’s performance breathed new life into the song, resonating with audiences in the post-9/11 era when American patriotism surged once again. The duo’s performance became a symbol of generational unity in country music and reaffirmed the song’s message for a contemporary audience​.

Musically, the song falls squarely within the country genre, marked by its classic twang and Haggard’s straightforward delivery. Over the years, “The Fightin’ Side of Me” has been both celebrated for its staunch patriotism and critiqued for its perceived simplification of complex political issues. Nonetheless, it remains a powerful anthem in country music, representing the spirit of defiance and pride in one’s country.

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Lyrics:

“The Fightin’ Side Of Me”

I hear people talkin’ bad,
About the way we have to live here in this country,
Harpin’ on the wars we fight,
An’ gripin’ ’bout the way things oughta be.
An’ I don’t mind ’em switchin’ sides,
An’ standin’ up for things they believe in.
When they’re runnin’ down my country, man,
They’re walkin’ on the fightin’ side of me.Yeah, walkin’ on the fightin’ side of me.
Runnin’ down the way of life,
Our fightin’ men have fought and died to keep.
If you don’t love it, leave it:
Let this song I’m singin’ be a warnin’.
If you’re runnin’ down my country, man,
You’re walkin’ on the fightin’ side of me.

I read about some squirrely guy,
Who claims, he just don’t believe in fightin’.
An’ I wonder just how long,
The rest of us can count on bein’ free.
They love our milk an’ honey,
But they preach about some other way of livin’.
When they’re runnin’ down my country, hoss,
They’re walkin’ on the fightin’ side of me.

Yeah, walkin’ on the fightin’ side of me.
Runnin’ down the way of life,
Our fightin’ men have fought and died to keep.
If you don’t love it, leave it:
Let this song I’m singin’ be a warnin’.
If you’re runnin’ down my country, man,
You’re walkin’ on the fightin’ side of me.

Yeah, walkin’ on the fightin’ side of me.
Runnin’ down the way of life,
Our fightin’ men have fought and died to keep.
If you don’t love it, leave it:
Let this song I’m singin’ be a warnin’.
If you’re runnin’ down my country, man,
You’re walkin’ on the fightin’ side of me.