For me, music does not often make me extremely emotional. So after my first time listening to the new song “Commander In Chief” by Demi Lovato, I knew it was special. 

The meaning behind the song also left me feeling heard and empowered. Lovato made me feel like I could do anything with her bittersweet lyrics.

The lyrics and melody of “Commander in Chief” change in intensity and emotion as the song continues and points fingers at President Donald Trump over the injustices the voiceless are facing in 2020.

Lovato shares her opinion on subjects such as Black Lives Matter, protests and COVID-19 through her lyrics. Her strong political stances and beautiful lyrics make the song amazing and, admittedly, one of my favorites. 

Lovato’s song starts out slow, and the background music is very calm. It sounds like a peaceful piano solo is playing in the background. It reminded me of the beginning of a lullaby until Lovato started to sing.

Lovato’s lyrics bring a strong sense of defiance and empathy for those she is singing about. The people who have suffered, such as immigrants and families that have been separated by deportation, because of Trump and his actions as President are given a chance to speak out in this song. 

“I’m not the only one that’s been affected and resented, every story you’ve spun. And I’m a lucky one,” Lovato said.

In that lyric, Lovato really connects to her audience. Lovato makes the message personal when she adds this. She doesn’t diminish other people’s experiences, making note that she is “lucky” in not experiencing the extreme effects of Trump’s administration. I think it ultimately is adding more meaning to the song. The song isn’t just about COVID-19 and Trump’s actions, but Lovato’s experience because of them too. 

 In the song, Lovato asks about how it felt to be able to breathe, implying that Trump could take a break while everyone else suffered, and this line made my heart sink and my chest feel tight. The news of Trump’s actions come flooding to my mind, of events like the mass deportation he passed back in 2017 and his lack of a response to a pandemic. 

I was never affected in any extreme ways, thankfully. This song not only made me feel more aware of Trump’s actions but made me more empathetic for those affected. They were no longer sad YouTube videos or Facebook posts. These people were brought to life through Lovato’s lyrics.

The weight of the problems made me feel like I was slowly being crushed, but at the same time I was relieved. In my mind, I was gaining insight on these problems. I was looking at other points of views and putting myself in their shoes. I was included and it made me want to make the world stop and fix every little problem in the universe. 

I then pictured the chaos that is happening in the real world and the pandemic that has taken so many lives already. Lovato shares the guilt and fear in people throughout her music. I had tears in my eyes while listening to this. I listened to the song several times and each time felt like the first.

Lovato questions “Do you even know the truth?” as a message to Trump and his ignorance to what individuals are facing. I tend not to be very political, but her messages to Trump made me mad. It made me frustrated over what the nation has become over the course of his presidency. 

Lovato is calling Trump “Commander in Chief” and constantly asking “How can you breathe?” and “Honestly, if I did the things you do, I couldn’t sleep.” This was when I started crying. These lyrics spoke volumes and made the song rich in emotion.

As the lyrics get more empowering, the lines “we will be in the streets” are followed by clapping and several new voices. It sent chills down my spine as I pictured hundreds of people lining up with signs, with voices overlapping as the crowd protests. The line “We’re not pawns in your game,” added to the rebellious tone. As I thought of the protesters yelling outside of buildings, I wanted to join them. Even if it was a moment of pure imagination, this song made me care more. I felt like the lyrics gave me something to reevaluate and speak out for. 

I listened to the song over and over again for the rest of the day, and the feelings I had when listening to Lovato’s voice made me more and more emotional every time. Lovato sang for fairness among the people, and that is what makes this song so brilliant. She doesn’t back down from criticizing Trump and keeps the same, sorrowful tone throughout the song.