Independence Day
Martina McBride
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Well she seemed all right by dawn's early light Though she looked a little worried and weak. She tried to pretend he wasn't drinkin' again But daddy'd left the proof on her cheek. And I was only eight years old that summer And I always seemed to be in the way So I took myself down to the fair in town On Independence Day. Well ,word gets around in a small,small town They said he was a dangerous man But mama was proud and she stood her ground But she knew she was on the losin' end. Some folks whispered and some folks talked But everybody looked the other way And when time ran out there was no one about On Independence Day. Let freedom ring, let the white dove sing Let the whole world know that today Is a day of reckoning. Let the weak be strong, let the right be wrong Roll the stone away, let the guilty pay It's Independence Day. Well,she lit up the sky that fourth of July By the time that the firemen come They just put out the flames And took down some names And send me to the county home. Now I ain't sayin' it's right or it's wrong But maybe it's the only way. Talk about your revolution It's Independence Day. Let freedom ring, let the white dove sing Let the whole world know that today Is a day of reckoning. Let the weak be strong, let the right be wrong Roll the stone away, let the guilty pay It's Independence Day. Roll the stone away It's Independence Day.
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Written by: GRETCHEN PETERS
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
20 facts about this song
Song Origin"Independence Day" is a song written by Gretchen Peters, and performed by American country music artist Martina McBride.
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Album & ReleaseIt was released in April 1994 as the third single from her album "The Way That I Am".
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Chart PerformanceThe song reached #12 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.
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Song Content"Independence Day" is not actually about the American national holiday, but about a woman escaping from an abusive relationship, which is a metaphor for America's own struggle for freedom.
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Awards & RecognitionThe song won the Song of the Year award at 1995's Country Music Association awards.
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ControversyIt stirred controversy upon its release because of its heavy subject matter, but has since been hailed as a classic.
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Video ImpactThe emotionally charged music video, which tells the story in powerful images, won the Music Video of the Year at the 1994 CMA Awards.
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Use in PoliticsThe song was used by 2008 Republican Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin as her introductory theme, creating controversy given the song's message.
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Influence on Popular Culture"Independence Day" has been featured on several TV shows, including American Idol and Top of the Pops.
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Cover VersionsOther artists, including Pat Benatar and Kelly Clarkson, have covered "Independence Day."
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Song Background"Independence Day" is a song written by Gretchen Peters and sung by Martina McBride. The song was released on April 25, 1994, as part of McBride's third studio album, "The Way That I Am."
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Chart PerformanceThe song peaked in the number 12 position on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in 1994.
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Award Recognition"Independence Day" won the Country Music Association Award for Song of the Year in 1995.
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ImpactThough it did not reach a top ten position, the song has had a significant impact, becoming one of McBride's signature songs and a popular anthem for victims of abuse.
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Music VideoThe accompanying music video was directed by Robert Deaton and George J. Flanigen IV. It was awarded the Country Music Association's Video of the Year award in 1994.
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Positive MessagingThe song is hailed for its message of liberation and empowerment in the face of domestic violence.
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Song Theme"Independence Day" is often misunderstood as a patriotic anthem due to its title. The lyrics, however, depict a woman fighting back against an abusive husband, using the metaphor of America's Independence Day to underscore her liberation from him.
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Use in Political CampaignsDespite its theme of domestic violence, the song was used by 2008 Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin during her campaign, prompting songwriter Gretchen Peters to donate royalties to Planned Parenthood in Palin's name.
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Cover versionsThe song has been covered by many artists, including Pat Benatar and Fifth Harmony, highlighting its cross-genre appeal.
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LegacyRolling Stone magazine ranked "Independence Day" at number 50 in their list of the 100 greatest country songs of all time in June 2014.
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Citation
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"Independence Day Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 13 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric-lf/813161/Martina+McBride/Independence+Day>.
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