"Fighting Temptation" is a song recorded by American singer Beyoncé and American rappers Missy Elliott, MC Lyte, and Free for the film The Fighting Temptations (2003), starring Beyoncé. It was written by Beyoncé, Elliott, Lana Moorer, Marie Wright, Jonathan Burks, LaShaun Owens, Karriem Mack, and Walter Murphy. An R&B-funk song, "Fighting Temptation" samples Uncle Louie's "I Like Funky Music" (1979). Lyrically, the song makes a reference to fighting against negativity in life as well as waiting for the right person before falling in love. It was released as the lead single from the soundtrack for The Fighting Temptations on August 18, 2003, by Columbia Records. "Fighting Temptation" received generally favorable reviews from music critics, who complimented the theme, Beyoncé's vocal performance, and the verse-raps. Commercially, it received attention only in European countries, peaking at number 11 in the Netherlands. The accompanying music video for the song was directed by Antti Jokinen. Background "Fighting Temptation" appeared on the soundtrack album for The Fighting Temptations (2003), as well as in the film. As a whole, seven tracks featured the vocals of Beyoncé, who had a starring role in the film, along with a choir made up of gospel, R&B and hip hop recording artists. "Fighting Temptation" features additional vocals from American female rappers Missy Elliott, MC Lyte, and Free. Music and lyrics "Fighting Temptation" was written by Beyoncé, Missy Elliott, Lana Moorer, Marie Wright, Jonathan Burks, LaShaun Owens, Karriem Mack, Walter Murphy, and Gene Pistilli. Production was handled by Elliott. An R&B-funk song, it samples Uncle Louie's 1979 song "I Like Funky Music". Lyrically, the song is about a group of women's strict "no sex" rule similar to a part of the film's plot, where the female lead Lilly (portrayed by Beyoncé) abstains from being intimate with her love interest (portrayed by Cuba Gooding Jr.). Heather Phares of AllMusic wrote that the song's lyrics make reference to a "celebration of ladies' night out and waiting for true love." According to Dani Boobyer of the United Kingdom-based website, The Situation, "Fighting Temptation" has "a well worn message about striving for the best and fighting against negativity." Ed Gonzalez of Slant Magazine found that Elliott notices pleasure and joy in sins that make people go to church on Sundays, but in reality, the "party people" are no different from the churchgoers, who sin in their song and music. Release During a string of soundtrack