On Friday, country music superstar Brad Paisley released a new song titled Same Here dedicated to people of Ukraine which features none other than the voice of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy himself.
On this one year anniversary of the invasion, I'm reminded of the ways we are all so similar.
Here is the first song available from my new project. This is "Same Here". Featuring Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy (@ZelenskyyUa)https://t.co/oWdVc8e7dv pic.twitter.com/AsivvDponb— Brad Paisley (@BradPaisley) February 24, 2023
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Brad Paisley’s New Song Same Here ft. Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Zelenskyy reportedly had input on the song. Which Paisely found appropriate given the Ukranian President’s entertainment background.
“I think he understands that art is how you reach the most people, especially in the heart,” the Whiskey Lullaby singer said. “He can give as many speeches as he can give, but it’s a lot easier to hear something with a melody maybe.”
Paisley seeks to draw similarities between the American and Ukranian people in Same Here.
When discussing the meaning of his song with The Associated Press, Paisley said, “There’s just no differences. You can put us in different places with different flags and different languages, but we have so many similarities.”
Same Here does not explicitly mention Ukraine. However, the video incorporates Zelenskyy introduced by Paisley as “a friend across the ocean.”
Around the 3-minute mark you hear, “Hi Brad”. To which Paisley responds, “Hello, Mr. President.”
After being asked how to say “same here” in Ukrainian, Zelenskyy launches into a short dialogue suggesting how similar our countries are:
“We speak different languages in our life. Yes, but I think we appreciate the same things – children, freedom, our flag, our soldiers, our people. The biggest treasure we have. And friends. And we’re proud of our army who defends our freedom and will defend our lives. There’s no distance between our countries in such values. That is very important to see that they are really in many, in many things really the same.”
People React to Brad Paisley’s Same Here ft. Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Initial comments on the video are positive and suggest the 3-time Grammy winning artist’s intended message got across.
Commenter Mary Ann Kennedy wrote, “WE ARE ALL THE SAME.. hearts beat and bleed red. I Pray this message takes hold EVERYWHERE, the UsA so needs it too, you dont take POWER with you when you die.. you take Love. THANK YOU BRAD ”
Scott Runningwolf added, “Hey Brad same here,same here!!Your the Bob Dylan of country music I must say you brought tears and pride to my life this a.m.as for president zelenskyy we stand with you and know deep down goodness will prevail.”
Commenter Hether Knopp went for a deep reference, “”e’s got his own kind of football team, that lets him down every year” – Pure Paisley poetry! I hope it hits the radio hard – we need the pendulum to swing back to more traditional country that tells stories and tugs heartstrings. This is a thoughtful song to remind us all that we are more alike than different, and to not let the differences divide us. I’m sure it will ruffle some feathers though – like Billy Joel’s “Leningrad” and other songs.”
You can listen to Brad Paisley’s new song “Same Here” featuring Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the video below.
Brad Paisely Supports Ukraine
This isn’t Brad Paisley’s first time publicly supporting Ukraine or even sharing a screen with Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The West Virginia native appeared alongside a who’s who of Hollywood elite on the “Ukraine: Answering the Call” telethon that aired last June.
Sunday, NBC presents "#Ukraine: Answering the Call," executive produced by MSNBC's @NicolleDWallace, who joins @JoyAnnReid on #TheReidOut on the performers who took part. Watch "Ukraine: Answering the Call" this Sunday at 7pm ET and PT on @NBC, and at 10pm ET on @MSNBC, #reiders. pic.twitter.com/MnUCdbmdaz
— The ReidOut (@thereidout) July 2, 2022
Paisely was joined by Paul McCartney, Ben Stiller, Sheryl Crow, Jeff Daniels, Alicia Keys, and more for the fundraiser that aired on both NBC and MSNBC.
If you’re asking yourselves why ultra-rich celebrities would choose to ask everyday Americans in a struggling economy to financially support Ukraine when the US government gave Ukraine over $100 BILLION in aid during the first year of the invasion – that’s a very good and valid question.
Of course, at the time, the US has only spent tens of billions in aid. Not yet reaching the impressive $100 billion milestone. But did they really need your hard-earned dollars?
Some might tell you it’s your duty to help save the world. Or that you should give to others in need.
Others might call it Hollywood virtue signaling. Or say that celebrities are just that out of touch.
Mark Hamill Takes Ukraine
Which is where we have to give some credit to Paisley. His song of unity is at least enjoyable listening and also more palatable than the overt virtue signaling of some others.
Take the og Jedi, Luke Skywalker. Mark Hamill is not only leveraging his Star Wars fame to support Ukraine but also asking his fans to send them money.
It’s exactly as bad as it sounds. Hamill is even promoting his Ukraine fundraiser with the slogan, “Join the resistance to a real life evil empire.”
FULL STORY: Mark Hamill Virtue Signals Over Ukraine War With Autographed Star Wars Posters
Join the resistance to a real life evil empire.#SlavaUkrainii
https://t.co/z81p9zfSFx
— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) February 17, 2023
Maybe those of us going on about de-escalation have got it all wrong and the celebrities are right. Only virtue signaling can save us at this point.
MORE: WATCH: Kelley Vlahos Warns America’s Focus on Ukraine Makes it Susceptible to War With China
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