Carrie Underwood Performs ‘Independence Day’ On 2005 Episode Of ‘Today Show’

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While it may not have been written with the intention of having patriotic ties, Martina McBride‘s “Independence Day” has since become a staple at Fourth of July parties across the nation. Fresh off her American Idol win, Carrie Underwood took on the 1994 hit on the Today Show back in 2005.

Displaying the talent that earned her massive Idol win, the country singer delivers a powerful rendition of McBride’s hit. While the powerful vocal stylings of McBride are difficult to match, Underwood more than holds her own during her exceptional performance.

“Let freedom ring, let the white dove sing/ Let the whole world know that today is a day of reckoning,” sings 23-year-old Underwood. “Let the weak be strong, let the right be wrong, roll the stone away, let the guilty pay, it’s Independence Day.”

“Independence Day” tells the heartbreaking memories a daughter has of growing up watching her mother being abused by her alcoholic father. Suddenly unable to take the abuse anymore, the woman sets fire to their home, the man going up in flames along with the house.

Following the devastating attack on the World Trade Center September 11, 2001, radio personality Sean Hannity transformed part of the chorus into a symbol of patriotism, using it as an opener for his nationally syndicated conservative talk show.

My deepest gratitude today and every day to all the men and women in the Armed Forces past and present who have sacrificed for our freedom.

Posted by Martina McBride on Monday, May 29, 2017

You can watch Underwood’s rendition of the powerful song below.

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