I do like the original song, but I’m very partial to her “Country Road” version:

UPDATE: I just saw this cover by Little Big Town – definitely my favorite version!

The song is called Keep the Change and would be clever, had that phrase not already been worn out since Obama first began campaigning.

Let me be clear on one thing before I take a look at the lyrics. I don’t fault him for using his voice to say what he wants. We all have the right to say and think what we want to – even when it’s inappropriate. My purpose here is to show how arrogantly ignorant the lyrics are – not to say the song shouldn’t have been recorded or played on the radio (funny thing though, I haven’t heard it on the mainstream country station here in the Triangle – I heard it on the very conservative small town station from a few towns away).

If you see me hold my hand over my heart
Before I start the pledge of allegiance
There’s a reason
It’s to honor those who died

I can’t really say anything negative about this part. It’s a great way to catch your attention for the song though – declaring how patriotic you are.

And if you see me close my eyes and bow my head
Before I break bread with my family
It ain’t a habit, it’s important
It’s my right

Yes. It is your right to do so. Just like it’s my right not to do so. For some reason, you never see the good God fearin’ man standing up for my right not to believe in God.

I work half the year for me
The other half for Uncle Sam
While he’s bailin’ out those sinkin’ ships
And drownin’ the little man

I watch the news and have to wonder
If this country’s goin’ crazy
Talkin’ ’bout how much they love it here
But how they want to rearrange it

Okay, I get it. You’re questioning why we want to change something we claim to love so much. But, maybe that’s why? Progress is inevitable. Change is inevitable. And those who are seeking change are trying to make things better. It doesn’t always work out like that, but there are definitely a lot of things about this country that *do* need changing.

I’m just your average Joe
And that makes me smart enough to know
There’s a bunch of us out here
That feel the same

Wanna keep our God, our freedom
A little money in the bank
Y’all can keep the change

No one is trying to take anything away from anyone. Ever. That’s the exact opposite of what the majority of people want. Okay let me rephrase – no one this song is directed at is trying to take anything away from anyone.

We want you to be able to keep your God. Just like we want you to leave us be and not force your God into our living rooms. The point of keeping church and state separate? It’s so that you can live and worship your way and I can live and not worship mine.

It’s that simple.

Now the fat cats on the hill acting so brilliant
Ain’t smart enough to notice
That we’re angry
And that America’s in trouble

If they don’t wise up and stop
Bustin’ out the blocks that were laid
As a foundation well our nation
Could wake up in a pile of rubble

I can only assume that he’s referring to the belief that this country is a Christian nation founded on the principles of the Bible. See above.

They say we’re making progress
But it’s a big old shame to me
Common sense ain’t near as common
As it used to be

Finally! He said something I agree with 100%!

The rest of the song is mostly repeating the chorus and other lyrics. To what end? Clearly his message is anti-Obama and anti anything that doesn’t involve faith.

I really wish that people would stop being so defensive long enough to see things objectively and realize that just because someone doesn’t believe in the same things it doesn’t mean that they want to oppress or subdue you and yours.

One of my current favorite songs is Love Like Crazy by Lee Brice.

Another of my favorite groups, Lady Antebellum, has done a parody of the song called Biscuits and Gravy. I almost wrecked my car this morning when I heard it because I was laughing that hard.

See the videos after the jump and decide for yourself!

Isn’t that just awesome?

AND! A new category was created this year that allowed Dr. Horrible to be nominated for an emmy (Short-format Live-Action Entertainment Programs) and it WON.

Congratulations, guys. Well deserved.

Where’s my sequel?

What amazes me is how they all flow and work together. It really does sound like one song, and not several songs mashed up.

So I turned on CMT this morning (I gotta tell you just *how* excited I am to have CMT again!), and this was the song that was playing. I’d heard it on the radio once or twice, and never really paid attention. To be honest, I always thought it was Montgomery Gentry. To my surprise, it was Hootie! Better known as Darius Rucker, this guy was the lead singer of Hootie and the Blowfish back in the 90s.

I was more than a little surprised to see him on CMT, but hey… it’s a good song!

One more thing… it’s Election Day! I don’t care who you vote for, just get out there and vote!

Today is not that day.

Over You – Daughtry

1. My Happy Ending – Avril Lavigne
2. Believe – Cher
3. Apologize – One Republic ft. Timbaland
4. Bleeding Love – Leona Lewis
5. Bottom of the Ocean – Miley Cyrus
6. Breakaway – Kelly Clarkson
7. So Much for Pretending – Bryan White
8. Cold (But I’m Still Here) – Evans Blue
9. Goodbye Time – Blake Shelton
10. Gotta Go My Own Way – Vanessa Hudgens
11. I’m Moving On – Rascall Flatts
12. I Can’t Be Bothered – Miranda Lambert
13. Leave the Pieces – the Wreckers
14. Love Don’t Live Here Anymore – Lady Antebellum
15. Misery – Good Charlotte
16. Over You – Daughtry
17. Running Away – Hoobastank
18. Stronger Woman – Jewel
19. When You Love Someone – Reba

I had never heard of the first two, but I was more than pleasantly surprised.

Check out this violin solo from Article One (try and get past the guy in the middle of the shot to actually see Matt play):

Download audio file (05 Sweet Holy Spirit.mp3)

And of course I knew who Rush of Fools are (I already had the cd). They were awesome in concert.

Sorry, Newsboys – you just didn’t do it for me! But the rest of you sure did.