Veterans Day is a time for us to remember and honor our brave men and women who have served our country well. Here is a list of our all-time favorite songs honoring them.
Top 3 Best Country Songs for Veterans
“If You’re Reading This” – Tim McGraw
Tim McGraw‘s “If You’re Reading This” is a tribute to the families of soldiers who have died. Its lyrics are in the form of a letter written by a soldier that is sent to his family. This is the kind of letter to be sent only if the solder dies in action.
The lyrics are raw and poignant, and how McGraw sings it makes it even more emotional. The first line is just a taste of what the whole song is about:
If you’re reading this
My Mommas sittin’ there
Looks like I only got a one-way ticket over here
Sure wish I
Could give you one more kiss
And war was just a game we played when we were kids
The song was first performed in the Academy of Country Music Awards on the 17th of May, 2007. The song resonated in the hearts of many that shortly after the performance, several radio stations began playing a telecast of the song.
“50,000 Names Carved in the Wall” – George Jones
George Jones‘ iconic song was released in 2002, and it is intended to honor the names by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The song had even more meaning into it because Jones himself served in the U.S. Marine Corps, resonating the song within him as well. It was included in Jones’ album The Rock: Stone Cold Country.
The lyrics are relevant to the memorials that are erected for our fallen brothers and sisters. It embodies how the memorial is a symbol for everyone to remember the service that these people did.
There’s stars of David and rosary beads
And crucifixion figurines
And flowers of all colors large and small
There’s a Boy Scout badge and a merit pin
Little American flags waving in the wind
And there’s 50,000 names carved in the wall
And after you listen to it, a wave of melancholia and a sharp sense of grief and loss that the families and friends endure to this day will be felt. What’s even more painful is knowing that there were actually 58,000 casualties and 153,000 wounded during the Vietnam War. The tearful tribute was penned by songwriting legend Jamie O’Hara.
“8th of November” – Big & Rich
‘8th of November” is a song written and recorded by famed country music duo Big & Rich. With the rich introduction by Kris Kristofferson, the story of the song revolves around Niles Harris, a soldier who was part of the 173rd Airborne Brigade of the United States Army during Operation Hump in South Vietnam on the 8th of November 1965.
Screengrab via YouTube
The song continues to recall the events that transpired on the 8th of November, where he was among the wounded who were saved by Army medic Lawrence Joel, the first living African American to receive the Medal of Honor. The song was released in 2006 as a third and final single from their album Comin’ to Your City.