Martina McBride released her honky tonk-flavored debut album The Time Has Come in 1992. Her first big hit was the single "My Baby Loves Me" from her more pop-oriented second album, 1993's The Way That I Am. She became even more visible in 1994 with the crossover success of her anti-domestic violence anthem "Independence Day", also from this album.
In 1995 McBride released the album Wild Angels; "Safe in the Arms of Love" and the title track were country hits, later being her first #1 hit. Her 1997 album Evolution sold over two million units, and included an adult contemporary crossover hit in "Valentine" as well as four number one or number two country hits. The album Emotion came out in 1999; "I Love You" was a big hit in both country and adult contemporary circles. So was the socially conscious "Love's the Only House", a trend that would continue with 2003's "This One's for the Girls", which would become the theme song for the 2005 NCAA Women's Basketball championship tournament. [1] This was followed by the hit singles "How Far" (written by fellow country singer Jamie O'Neal) and "God's Will".
The Long Distance Lullaby Songfacts states that Eleven was Martina's first album for Republic Nashville, ending a 20 year association with RCA. Label head Scott Borchetta encouraged her to write more songs for the record than she had on any of her previous 10 albums, and she ended up co-writing six of the 11 tracks. Eleven was released October 11, 2011.
As of 2005 McBride is generally recognized as one of the top female singers in popular music; with her strong and pure soprano voice she has been labelled "the Céline Dion of country music." Also in 2005 she released a 18-track CD of classic country music standards, which landed at #1 on the Billboard Country Album Chart in its opening week and received much critical acclaim for its authenticity towards traditional country.
She is a four-time Country Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year winner (a record she holds with Reba McEntire), three-time Academy of Country Music Female Vocalist of the Year winner and a Grammy Award winner. This left-hander performed The Star-Spangled Banner at Game 3 of the 2004 World Series.
"Independence Day" is used as the introductory music for Sean Hannity's popular talk radio show. McBride has appeared at benefit events organized by Hannity, but has declined to take an active political stance. [2] McBride has performed free for fans, such as in a July 3, 2004 show in Owensboro, Kentucky to celebrate the grand opening of the new Independence Bank headquarters.
Recently she helped out contestants on the Canadian version of "American Idol". The winner worked on a song with McBride as well as went on tour with her across Canada.
Martina has sold over 13 million albums in USA alone.
This Uncivil War
Martina McBride Lyrics
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You can cut it with a knife
You can stay and take your chances
Or you can run to save your life
And one side is retreating
And the other's runnin' scared
And the drums of war are beating
Even through its undeclared
And both sides say they're winning
And both sides know they're losing
And neither one knows what they're fightin' for
And in the quiet little places
You can see the little faces
Huddled right outside the bedroom door
Praying for an end to this uncivil war
Papa needs a new job
So he's swallowin' his pride
Oh, but it don't go down easy
And it eats him up inside
And mama, she don't notice
Little sister's ragged dress
Lately she don't notice
Much of anything
I guess
They're just fightin' off the hunger
Tryin' to keep from goin' under
But the wolves just keep on
Gatherin' round the door
There's no place to run for cover
So they're turning on each other
'Cause there really ain't no winners anymore
Just victims in this uncivil war
There's a silence on the front libes
You can cut it with a knife
You can stay and take your chances
Or you can run to save your life
Martina McBride's song "This Uncivil War" describes the brutality of war and the immense suffering that it inflicts on civilians. The song talks about the silence that exists within the battlefield, which is so palpable that it can almost be cut through with a knife. The lyrics go on to describe the desperation of the families who are trapped in the warzone, and the difficult choices they have to make, such as either stay and face potential death or run away at the cost of leaving everything they know and love behind.
The song talks about the realization that both sides involved are losing, and the desperation of the people who are caught in between the conflict. Both sides are fighting because war has become a way of life, and they are caught in a vicious cycle that they cannot seem to escape. The song highlights the futility of the war and how it has left everybody as victims.
The lyrics touch on several themes that invoke powerful emotions in the listener, such as the toll war takes on families, the loss of innocence and the desperation that comes with living in a warzone. The song is a powerful statement on the senseless violence that is associated with warfare and how it strips individuals of their humanity.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a silence on the front lines
The absence of gunfire and explosions in the war zone creates a tense and oppressive silence.
You can cut it with a knife
The silence is so heavy and tangible that it seems like it could be physically cut.
You can stay and take your chances
People can choose to stay and keep fighting, knowing they might be killed, or they can run and hopefully survive.
Or you can run to save your life
Running away may be the only way to stay alive.
And one side is retreating
One group of fighters is losing and withdrawing from the battlefield.
And the other's runnin' scared
The other side is petrified that they'll be the ones who lose.
And the drums of war are beating
The sounds of war can be heard, even though nobody formally declared war.
Even through its undeclared
Although no official notice of war has been declared, hostilities haven't stopped.
And both sides say they're winning
Both parties think they're winning the war, but they're mistaken.
And both sides know they're losing
Both groups also know they're losing, but they don't want to admit it.
And neither one knows what they're fightin' for
Regardless of fighting for one side or the other, the reason they're in battle isn't clear.
And in the quiet little places
In safe and concealed locations, vulnerable individuals seek protection.
You can see the little faces
Children's faces, afraid and distressed, can be easily seen.
Huddled right outside the bedroom door
The families are barricaded inside their homes, attempting to protect themselves from danger.
Praying for an end to this uncivil war
The innocent is praying for a peaceful resolution where no one has to be harmed.
Papa needs a new job
Father demands a new job to feed the family.
So he's swallowin' his pride
Despite feeling embarrassed, he is still looking for work.
Oh, but it don't go down easy
Even after considering a job compromise or low-paying work, it's still not enough.
And it eats him up inside
The feeling of not being capable of financially supporting his family is slowly destroying him.
And mama, she don't notice
Mother is unaware of the challenges faced by the family.
Little sister's ragged dress
Sibling does not have an appropriate outfit.
Lately she don't notice
Mother might miss out on many little things due to her own problems.
Much of anything
Mother's attention span and energy is limited.
They're just fightin' off the hunger
The family is trying not to starve.
Tryin' to keep from goin' under
The family is doing everything they can to not fall into poverty.
But the wolves just keep on
Despite their best efforts, the family is still getting preyed upon.
Gatherin' round the door
Those who profit from impoverished people are at their doorstep.
There's no place to run for cover
The family has nowhere to go for shelter or safety.
So they're turning on each other
Family members blame and fight with each other instead of their true enemies.
'Cause there really ain't no winners anymore
Nobody can win this uncivil war.
Just victims in this uncivil war
All parties are victims of an unfair and unending conflict.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Gretchen Peters
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind