George Strait Salutes Police Officers in New Ballad, ‘The Weight of the Badge’ [LISTEN]
Some of George Strait's newest album, Honky Tonk Time Machine, focuses on celebrating the golden days of country music and the good times a song can bring. In his latest single, "The Weight of the Badge," however, Strait turns to more sobering subject matter. Press play above to listen to the new track.
The song imagines a police officer who tirelessly puts his life on the line to protect his community, kissing his family goodbye on the way to yet another graveyard shift. Even when he gets injured in the line of duty, Strait sings, the officer continues to return to work, saying that some fights are simply worth fighting.
"He swore that oath to protect and serve / Puts his heart and soul into both those words / Lays his life on the line / The line he walks is razor fine," Strait sings. "Tempered strength is always tough / But he ain't gonna buckle / Under the weight of the badge."
Strait co-wrote the track with his son, Bubba Strait, as well as Dean Dillon. It will officially go for adds at country radio on Sept. 30.
"The Weight of the Badge" is the second single from Honky Tonk Time Machine. Prior to releasing the project at the end of March, Strait dropped the first single, "Every Little Honky Tonk Bar," which peaked in the Top 20 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. Honky Tonk Time Machine is the singer's first new album since the 2015 project Cold Beer Conversation.
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