Song Details
- Album Release Date: 1972-01-01
- Album Name: Best Of The Best Of
Song Meaning (Interpretation) of “The Fightin’ Side Of Me” by Merle Haggard & The Strangers
“The Fightin’ Side Of Me” is a song written and performed by Merle Haggard & The Strangers, released in 1972. The song paints a picture of the rugged and highly individualistic American spirit, embodied by the lyrics “if you don’t love it, leave it”. The narrator is seemingly fed up with the unruly and anarchic country he lives in, where freedom is constantly being threatened. He is drawing a line in the sand, reminding his fellow Americans to stand with him and defend their rights and liberties. He is advocating for the fightin’ side of America, the side that puts up a fight for what is right and good and defends what he believes is right in the face of adversity. The message is loud and clear: don’t mess with the rugged individualism that is inherent to American culture, or you’ll find yourself on the wrong side of the fight.