John Rich Pens John McCain Anthem "Raising McCain"

While Barack Obama has the support of Bruce Springsteen, Wilco, John Mellencamp, Tom Morello and pretty much every rapper, Republican candidate John McCain has managed to lure at least one musician: Big & Rich's John Rich. Rich has penned a "rock-infused" song for McCain titled "Raising McCain," focusing on the five-and-a-half years McCain spent in a POW camp in Vietnam. "He stayed strong, stayed extra long 'til they let all the other boys out. Now we've got a real man with an American plan, we're going to put him in the big White House," go the lyrics. "We're all just raising McCain."

Rich will debut the song tomorrow at a concert in Panama City, Florida, with McCain in attendance. "I wanted to offer him something that he didn't have, a rally song, one that really captures that maverick spirit," Rich said. While Rich is "proud as an American" that Obama is the Democratic candidate, he said he differed with Obama on major issues and doesn't think Obama is experienced enough. "The entire world is looking for a way to sucker punch us. National security is absolutely at the top of the list of issues. That's why I think John McCain is the guy to keep us safe," Rich said.

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Song Stories

“Youth Knows No Pain”

Lykke Li | 2011

“Like on 'Youth Knows No Pain' — we are the ones that should demonstrate, because we can take it,” Likke Li said. “We can pierce ourselves, take Ecstasy, dance all night and still go to work at our McDonald's jobs.” Despite the hedonistic sentiment in the song, the Swedish singer also admitted in hindsight her youth had repercussions. “I remember when I was 18-19 and feeling that I know it all,” Li said. “I always feel that I know it all. But that song is about realizing you don’t, and reflecting, ‘Boy, if I only knew what would follow.’”

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