20 epic songs that take any fight scene to the next level

In 1983, Michael Jackson released his hit single "Beat It" from his magnum opus album Thriller. Not only does Jackson use the music video for him and his crew to face off with an enemy, but it's also evident in his lyrics as he sings, "They told him 'Don't you ever come around here / Don't wanna see your face you better disappear' / The fire's in their eyes and their words are really clear / So beat it, just beat it." 

In 2017, pop rock band Imagine Dragons released their third album Evolve, which featured the hit song "Believer." On the track, the band details how people are going to deal with hardships in their lives, but it builds them up into better and stronger individuals as life moves on. 

LL Cool J had no problem taking on critics with his 1991 hit song "Mama Said Knock You Out." The rapper helps listeners realize that they can take on any battle despite what some people may say. "Mama Said Knock You Out" has been featured in several TV shows such as The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Moesha, as well as films like Kangaroo Jack: G'Day U.S.A.

"Eye of the Tiger" by rock band Survivor will always be a song synonymous with fight scenes since it was the theme song to the film Rocky III. As the band sings on the hook, "It's the eye of the tiger, it's the thrill of the fight / Risin' up to the challenge of our rival / And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night / And he's watching us all with the eye of the tiger." 

Michael Jackson teamed up with younger sister and fellow pop star Janet Jackson on the 1995 track "Scream." In the song, the two describe their frustration with the lies being told about them and are ready to retaliate. 

Carl Douglas describes how he witnessed people partaking in Chinese martial arts on his 1974 track "Kung Fu Fighting." As he sings on the single, "Everybody was kung fu fighting / Those cats were fast as lightning / In fact, it was a little bit frightening / But they fought with expert timing." It's no wonder the song has been used in scenes across several movies such as Beverly Hills Ninja and Rush Hour 3. 

Brooke Valentine came onto the scene in 2005 with her hit single "Girlfight." With production from Lil Jon, Valentine uses the track to describe how she's going blow for blow with someone who keeps talking mess about her. As she says on the track "Know you really don't wanna step to this / Really don't know why you talkin' s**t / You're about to catch one right in your lip."

In 2002, Eminem was all about seizing his opportunities and proving people wrong on his hit single "Lose Yourself." On the track, failure is not an option for him, he's ready to succeed in life even if the road to get there hasn't been easy. The song was featured in the film 8 Mile and won an Academy Award for Best Original Song. 

Destiny's Child is well aware of how life can throw so much at someone, but it's all about how people stay strong and persevere. This mindset was evident in their 2001 single "Survivor," in which the group highlights how they're still going to thrive even if things in the past didn't work out. As they sing in the second verse, "Thought that I would fail without you, but I'm on top / Thought it would be over by now, but it won't stop / Thought that I would self-destruct, but I'm still here / Even in my years to come, I'm still gon' be here." 

Christina Aguilera takes on a fight in a different kind of way in her 2003 single "Fighter." Produced and co-written by Scott Storch, Aguilera describes how a partner wronged her, but thankfully it made her a stronger and better person. As she sings on the hook, "Made me learn a little bit faster / Made my skin a little bit thicker / Makes me that much smarter / So thanks for making me a fighter." 

Hip-hop group Crime Mob teamed up with Lil Scrappy on their 2004 single "Knuck If You Buck." In the song, the group details how people shouldn't cross them because they will stand up for themselves. As they say in the second verse, "Yeah, we knuckin' and buckin' and ready to fight / I betcha I'ma throw them things, so haters best to think twice / See, me, I ain't nothing nice, and Crime Mob, it ain't no stopping," 

Sometimes people need a little encouragement especially when they're at their lowest points, that's what Rachel Platten gives in her 2015 single "Fight Song." Platten encourages listeners to never give up on what they want, as she sings, "This is my fight song / Take back my life song / Prove I'm alright song / My power's turned on / Starting right now, I'll be strong / I'll play my fight song / And I don't really care if nobody else believes / 'Cause I've still got a lot of fight left in me." 

In 2007, Kanye West released his third album Graduation, which featured the hit single "Stronger." On the track, West highlights the confidence he has in his greatness and proving any naysayers wrong. As he says on the hook, "N-Now-Now that, that don't kill me / Can only make me stronger."

Although "War" was originally recorded by The Temptations, it's Edwin Starr's version that became the most popular. On the track, Starr details the devastation of people engaging in a war. As he sings in the first verse, "War I despise / 'Cause it means destruction of innocent lives / War means tears to thousands of mothers' eyes / When their sons go out to fight and lose their lives." 

In 2007, Rihanna released her third album Good Girl Gone Bad to rave reviews. She teamed up with frequent collaborators Christopher "Tricky" Stewart and The-Dream on her album cut "Breakin' Dishes." On the track, Rihanna is furious with her partner who commits infidelity and she's ready for him to tell her the truth. She's so upset with him that she knows it could lead to them possibly getting into a fight with each other. 

In 1993, hip-hop group Cypress Hill released their sophomore album Black Sunday, which featured their hit single "Insane In The Brain." On the track, the group details how people shouldn't push them to their breaking point, or else people will see how crazy a person can get. 

In 2002, Ludacris released his third album Word of Mouf, which featured the hit single "Move." Teaming up with fellow rapper Mystikal, Ludacris uses the track to describe people starting a fight and people should think twice before they step to him.  

In 2011, rock band Gym Class Heroes released their fifth album The Papercut Chronicles, which featured the single "The Fighter." Teaming up with Ryan Tedder, the group uses the track to detail how no matter what life throws at them, they're going to stay strong and push on. It's evident on the hook as they sing, "Give 'em hell, turn their heads / Gonna live life til we're dead / Give me scars, give me pain / Then they'll say to me, say to me, say to me / There goes a fighter, there goes a fighter." 

In 2000, hip-hop duo M.O.P. released their fourth album Warriorz, that featured their iconic song "Ante Up." While the song's energetic production can easily be used in a fight scene, the lyrics actually detail how the group is trying to rob other people. 

Big Sean is no stranger to overcoming obstacles on his 2016 single "Bounce Back." On the track, Sean details that to truly be a winner, some people are going to face setbacks until they reach the goal they're aiming for.