This Is America

Album: This Is America (2013)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The lead single of Ashton Shepherd's third album was released around the Independence Day holiday. With such a title, you might think it was clever timing, but the singer told Billboard magazine it was merely a coincidence. "We didn't plan for it to be released this time of the year, it just happened," said Shepherd. "Of course, that turned out to be wonderful. We cut the song several months ago, and we finished the record in May. I wanted it to be the title track of the record, and also the first single. It just so happened that it came out around the 4th of July, so we're excited about it."
  • Shepherd's inspiration for the song was how despite of the differences that Americans have between them, they will always unite when they really need to. "I wrote it by myself," she told Billboard. "I was upset by some of the stuff you see on Facebook, and folks arguing, and all the turmoil. At the end of the day, we all stick together as a country, and we all have soldiers to be thankful for. It was my way of saying how I feel as an American. I'm proud to be an American. I'm thankful for our soldiers."
  • The singer was also thinking of the financial struggles that many Americans face. "I've also been there with people who are in the dollar store who are trying to penny pinch," said Shepherd. "You find yourself questioning each purchase when Americans work so hard to not have to feel worried about things like that. I think as a whole, we all are going through the same thing together. But, no matter what, we're from America, and we love it here. We're proud. I wanted people to be happy, and know that through God, everything is going to turn around. That's what I wanted to do with this song."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Mike Campbell

Mike CampbellSongwriter Interviews

Mike is lead guitarist with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, and co-writer of classic songs like "Boys Of Summer," "Refugee" and "The Heart Of The Matter."

Donny Osmond

Donny OsmondSongwriter Interviews

Donny Osmond talks about his biggest hits, his Vegas show, and the fan who taught him to take "Puppy Love" seriously.

Carl Sturken

Carl SturkenSongwriter Interviews

Hitmaker Carl Sturken on writing and producing for Rihanna, 'N Sync, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Donny Osmond, Shakira and Karyn White.

American Hits With Foreign Titles

American Hits With Foreign TitlesSong Writing

What are the biggest US hits with French, Spanish (not "Rico Suave"), Italian, Scottish, Greek, and Japanese titles?

Mick Jones of Foreigner

Mick Jones of ForeignerSongwriter Interviews

Foreigner's songwriter/guitarist tells the stories behind the songs "Juke Box Hero," "I Want To Know What Love Is," and many more.

The Police

The PoliceFact or Fiction

Do their first three albums have French titles? Is "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" really meaningless? See if you can tell in this Fact or Fiction.