Pride in America is near record lows, but singer and songwriter Danny Gokey has been an outspoken exception. “I love my country,” Gokey told Crosswalk Headlines. In 2003, 70 percent of Americans said they were “very proud” to be American. GallupBut that dropped to 54% in 2015 and 38% in 2022. This year it’s 41%.
Gokey released a patriot-themed EP in 2023. Braveencourages Americans to celebrate the nation’s founding ideals. Includes two originals.
The Grammy-nominated singer had grown frustrated with the debate over patriotism on social media, as he told Crosswalk Headlines: “No matter what you say, even if it’s true, even if it’s love, people are not going to accept it. And they can get really upset about it.”
But music can bring people together, he says.
“Music has the power to put truth into a song. [and] “It’s wrapped up in this melody and this poetic lyric that really breaks down any barriers of defense or offense,” he said.
Gorky believes that patriotism is too often divisive, as people focus on a country’s shortcomings rather than its achievements.
“If you keep remembering the bad things your wife does, your marriage will fall apart,” he said.
“But if we commemorate the good things and remember the good things, the two sides can find common ground again,” he said.
“If we go back to the basics and ask ourselves, ‘So what brought us together?’ and focus on that, then healing can begin from there,” he said.
BraveHe said the album also includes songs that “praise America.”
“Be courageous, stand up for freedom, stand up for truth, and don’t be afraid,” he said, “… cowardice has no place in the kingdom of God. John the Baptist was not a coward. Jesus was not a coward. Peter was not a coward.”
“We’ve had some hurt, but you’re still the land I love.”
“I felt God prompting me to do it,” he said.
Gokey recently released his fifth studio album, which contains 11 tracks. Heavenly sounds.
Watch: Danny Gokey – My America (Official Music Video)
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Terry Wyatt/Stringer
Michael Faust He has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years, and his work has appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, Christian Post, Leaf Chronicle, Toronto Star and Knoxville News Sentinel.
