Independence Day (song)

Infobox Single
Name = Independence Day


Artist = Martina McBride
from Album = The Way That I Am
Released = 1994
Format = CD single
Recorded = 1993
Genre = Country music
Length = 3:25
Label = RCA Records
Writer = Gretchen Peters
Producer = Paul Worley
Certification =
Last single = "Life #9"
(1994)
This single = "Independence Day"
(1994)
Next single = "Heart Trouble"
(1994)

"Independence Day" is a song performed by country singer Martina McBride, originally included on her 1993 album "The Way That I Am". Released as a single in 1994, the song peaked at #12 [ [http://billboard.com/bbcom/retrieve_chart_history.do?model.vnuArtistId=25616&model.vnuAlbumId=740888 Billboard.com - Artist Chart History - Martina McBride ] ] . Gretchen Peters wrote the song, and later recorded it herself. It was first offered to Reba McEntire, who turned it down. [ [http://www.reba.com/backstage/didyouknow/ Reba :: The Official Site - Backstage] ]

It is used by news commentator Sean Hannity for his Citadel Broadcasting radio talk show. (The other music used in the radio show introduction is Carl Orff's "O Fortuna" from Carmina Burana.)

In 2003, it ranked 50th in "CMT's 100 Greatest Songs of Country Music." The following year, it ranked #2 in "CMT's 100 Greatest Videos in Country Music." The song was also featured in CMT's "Controversy" in terms of release and included interviews from "The Today Show" reporter Tiki Barber, Brad Paisley, McBride herself, and former National Organization for Women president Patricia Ireland.

The song appears on the game Karaoke Revolution Country.

Background

The lyrics tell a story of a woman's response to domestic abuse, seen from the point of view of her daughter (Martina in the song). The song's music video was somewhat controversial at the time of its release, because of its graphic depiction of domestic violence.

The lyrics have a double meaning in that the woman in the story is finally gaining her "freedom" from her abusive husband. Thus, it is her Independence Day. The title also refers to the fact that the events noted in the song happened on America's Independence Day, or July 4.

Use in politics

Writer Gretchen Peters has objected to Hannity's use of the song, and engaged in a "personal protest" by donating to organizations such as ACLU, PFLAG and MoveOn.org. When the song was used to introduce Republican Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin at a rally in October, 2008, Peters publicly announced that she considered the use of the theme, in view of Palin's opposition to abortion even in cases of rape and incest to be "beyond irony," and said that she intended to donate all royalties from the song during the election cycle to Planned Parenthood, in Gov. Palin's name. [ [http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/soundboard/2008/10/independence-da.html 'Independence Day' songwriter jabs McCain-Palin campaign's use of song] , Los Angeles Times Music Blog, October 6, 2008]

Cover versions

In 2002, singer Taylor Horn covered the song for her debut album "taylor-made" at the age of nine.

In 2003, 1980s pop superstar Pat Benatar performed the song in a duet with McBride on the CMT television series "Crossroads".

In 2005, "American Idol" winner Carrie Underwood performed the song several times on the show, and released a version on the B-side of her debut single "Inside Your Heaven".

References