Fighting Songs Ranked

Fighting is the fifth studio album by Irish rock band Thin Lizzy, released in 1975. Following the release of four studio albums, the band finally forged an identifiable sound featuring the twin guitars of Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson. This sound draws from hard rock, folk, pop and rhythm, and blues. It set the stage for the big commercial breakthrough of the follow-up album, Jailbreak. The album was also their first album to chart in the UK, hitting No. 60. Fighting is the only other Thin Lizzy album aside from their 1971 debut where band members other than Phil Lynott receive sole songwriting credits for certain tracks. Bell wrote “Ray Gun” on the debut, and Robertson and Gorham wrote “Silver Dollar” and “Ballad of a Hard Man”, respectively. Here are all of Fighting songs ranked.

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10. Ballad of the Hard Man

“The album ends with Gorham’s lone solo contribution to the band, “Ballad of a Hard Man.” Though Gorham was frequently regarded as the pretty-boy in the band, he had arguably the seediest past of any of the members. Growing up in Southern California, Gorham found himself immersed in the region’s drug culture, eventually becoming addicted to cocaine and heroin (these bad experiences among the reasons he left the Golden State for the UK).”

9. Fighting My Way Back

“Side One closes with “Fighting My Way Back,” which points more than any other song on the album to the direction the band would go in the future. The song combines a rocking, fast tempo with aggressive lyrics about fighting against oppression, themes Lizzy would echo on “Jailbreak” the following year.”

8. Freedom Song

“”Freedom Song” is up next. The guitar harmonies are back, but there’s nothing overly impressive about this tune. The woeful tale of Jack MacDuff adds some interest, but the song simply is one of Lizzy’s lesser tracks. It’s not bad, though.”

See more: Thin Lizzy Albums Ranked

7. Wild One

“Arguably the album’s most beautiful song is the poignant “Wild One.” Lynott wrote this as a mournful plea from his homeland of Ireland to its people, and the soaring Irish-styled guitar parts perfectly complement this. Though the song was released as a single, backed with “For Those Who Love to Live,” it failed to make waves, likely as a result of its more serious subject matter and slow tempo.”

6. Silver Dollar

“Silver Dollar” is the lone Lizzy composition to be credited solely to him. A straightforward twelve-bar blues, the Scottish guitarist’s song might seem like filler to some. However, I’ve always had a weird soft spot for this one, and it features Lizzy trying their hand at straight-up blues, something the band generally stayed away from.”

5. Suicide

“Third on the track list is one of the absolute best songs of the band’s early twin-guitar era, “Suicide.” It’s a testament to this song’s appeal that it remained in the band’s live set until 1977. The song combines a rocking tempo with a thrilling murder mystery (spoiler: it doesn’t get solved). The song contains overtones of “Emerald” to come with its Celtic-inspired riffs and solos.”

See more: Thin Lizzy Songs Ranked

4. Spirit Slips Away

“Spirit Slips Away,” a subdued yet heavy song about death. Though Scott Gorham has stated in interviews that this song is essentially little more than a cool idea, I personally enjoy it. The ambient noises add atmosphere, as does Brian Robertson’s brilliant guitar solo.”

3. For Those Who Love to Live

“For Those Who Love to Live” follows. A mid-tempo ballad, Lynott wrote this song about Northern Irish footballer George Best. This song provides the first recorded instance of the elaborate dual-guitar arrangements that the band would pursue later on. It’s fun to hear the band playing with ideas that they would reuse a year later to great effect on their biggest hit, “The Boys are Back in Town.”

2. King’s Vengeance

“Starting off Side Two is the rather uncharacteristic, almost progressive-sounding “King’s Vengeance.” This complex little song has multiple movements and themes, combining hard rock and acoustic pop. It’s a very interesting track, if it stands out as a bit of an oddity.”

1. Rosalie

“The album kicks off with “Rosalie.” One of the few cover versions the band did, this song was picked up from Bob Seger, whom the band had supported in early 1975. Lizzy completely changes Seger’s bluesy track, with a sped up tempo and sparkling guitars. Although this version is an excellent reworking of the Seger original, the band clearly didn’t fully grasp how to make the song pop until they added it to their live setlist.”