Jeff Bates has released a new song titled “Good Man Going Home (Charlie’s Song)” in tribute to the late Charlie Kirk, and he hopes it will provide some healing in a difficult time.
The country singer says he did not know the Turning Point USA founder personally, though he had followed him for years.
“He was a fascinating young man,” the “Long Slow Kisses” singer tells Taste of Country.
“I thought he was very intelligent, and I always like when intelligent people get up and talk about God,” he adds. “He talked about Him like he knew Him, and I liked that.”
Kirk was shot and killed on Sept. 10 during a speaking engagement at Utah Valley University.
Bates says he “cried like a baby” when he heard the news that Kirk had died.
Kirk’s death “shook me, it shocked me, it broke my heart,” he states. “It’s still America, man … everything’s about left and right, and it shouldn’t be. It should be about right and wrong.”
Bates immediately felt compelled to write a song for Kirk, “because he’s a believer, I’m a believer,” he explains.
“We know where Charlie went,” he adds. “I know my personal beliefs, and I know what my personal experiences are.”
Bates says he was particularly upset when he saw people turning to social media to bash Kirk after his murder.
When he brought his song idea up to Jason Brownie, Nick Autry and Randall Fowler during a scheduled writing session later that day, they were all in.
Autry had been kicking around the title “Good Man Going Home” for years, and when he suggested it, Bates said, “Well, that’s about Charlie. It has to be.”
The song came together quickly, and it’s a powerful testament to Kirk.
“There’s gonna be arms wide open / You can have faith in knowing / When he gets there, there’s gonna be hallelujahs and amens / Gonna be angels singing / Nobody blaming / Or shaming him for words he said or all of his past sins / It hurts to see him go, but I know / He’s a good man going home,” Bates sings in the chorus.
Bates went into the studio to record the song immediately, and he’s spent the days since fast-tracking the release.
He’s hoping it “gives people a sense of hope, maybe a little healing,” Bates says.
He also wants to get the song to Kirk’s family as a testament to the conservative icon’s impact and legacy.
“People like Charlie come along once in a lifetime,” Bates reflects. “With that kind of charisma, who’s that intelligent. He cared about other people, and obviously cared about his country. I hope people can see that in his life, and I hope this song reminds them of that.”
Jeff Bates’ “Good Man Going Home (Charlie’s Song)” is currently available for streaming and download.
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