This Is Why We Fight

Album: The King Is Dead (2011)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The title of this mid-tempo rocker suggests a critique of American policy abroad, however frontman Colin Meloy told Spin magazine that it isn't specifically about the War in Iraq. "In some ways, it's political but I have not attributed it to anything," he said. "I think of it more as a song for somebody who's up against great odds, whether political or social."
  • The track closes with a raw recording of a woman singing about her dog running through a field, accompanied by banjo and harmonica. The female voice belongs to studio owner, Sherry Pendarvis, and she is accompanied by Chris Funk and Jenny Conlee of the Portland troubadours jamming on a porch. "She was sitting out front with her dog," Meloy told Spin. "She had just been to the vet and she was soaking the dog's paw and started making up this song."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Song Titles That Inspired Movies

Song Titles That Inspired MoviesSong Writing

Famous songs that lent their titles - and in some cases storylines - to movies.

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Heaven And Hell

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Heaven And HellSongwriter Interviews

Guitarist Tony Iommi on the "Iron Man" riff, the definitive Black Sabbath song, and how Ozzy and Dio compared as songwriters.

Steve Cropper (Booker T & the MG's, Blues Brothers)

Steve Cropper (Booker T & the MG's, Blues Brothers)Songwriter Interviews

Steve Cropper on the making of "In the Midnight Hour," the chicken-wire scene in The Blues Brothers, and his 2021 album, Fire It Up.

Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne

Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of WayneSongwriter Interviews

The guy who brought us "Stacy's Mom" also wrote the Jane Lynch Emmy song and Stephen Colbert's Christmas songs.

Chad Channing (Nirvana, Before Cars)

Chad Channing (Nirvana, Before Cars)Songwriter Interviews

Chad tells tales from his time as drummer for Nirvana, and talks about his group Before Cars.

Steve Morse of Deep Purple

Steve Morse of Deep PurpleSongwriter Interviews

Deep Purple's guitarist since 1994, Steve talks about writing songs with the band and how he puts his own spin on "Smoke On The Water."