As the world comes to terms with the loss of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk, many musically-minded supporters are finding ways to honor his legacy.
Several recording artists have written original songs or reimagined existing music in honor of Kirk.
Conservative artist Tom MacDonald released a single called “Charlie” on September 11, just one day after the Turning Point USA founder was assassinated. The tribute song rocketed up the Billboard Digital Song Sales chart, reaching the number one spot in just one week.
While MacDonald typically performs in the rap genre, “Charlie” is a more soulful, acoustic ballad meant to capture the emotion of losing Kirk.
“Shot down and he was barely 31… He left behind a wife and a daughter and a son,” the song’s first lines say.
“And I’m so tired of the hatred and the narratives… They shot and killed the father, sent a message to Americans,” the lyrics say at another point. “And I’m so tired of the left and all the wokery… Scared I might be next to die when I’m just buyin’ groceries.”
The song ends on a hopeful note. “Pray that God will take care of us… And I can’t just be quiet, so I gotta be brave/ ‘Cause this is America, lately it’s scarin’ us/ But one good man can change it all in a day.”
He wasn’t the only one. Country artist Cole Swindell also wrote a tribute for Kirk called “Make Heaven Crowded.”
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The singer promoted a preview of the song on social media, introducing it with clips of Kirk’s widow, Erika, speaking about her husband’s deep faith. She initially said the line “making heaven crowded,” which serves as inspiration for Swindell’s song.
“I’ve blamed my sinning on ‘I ain’t no saint/ I’ve bit my tongue said that it ain’t my place/ And I’ve kept Jesus in the backseat/ But I can’t any longer/ After what we all saw last week/ I can’t help but wonder/ What if churches had a longer line outside than all them bars on Friday night,” the lyrics say.
“What if people prayed for people who ain’t on their side/ What if good ran off the bad/ Them streets of gold up there’d be packed/ This whole world would look a lot better than we found it/ If we make heaven crowded,” Swindell sings on the chorus.
The song has not been officially released, but fans in the comments are begging for the single.
Christian singer-songwriter Matthew West also wrote a demo dedicated to Kirk after being inspired by Erika’s first public speech following her husband’s killing.
“Be Close” is about turning hate into peace. “When there is evil, be not dismayed/give me the strength to stare that evil in the face and say, Jesus be close/to the brokenhearted/save those who are crushed in spirit/we know that You’ve always been our only hope.”
Country star Jason Aldean reimagined an existing song and turned it into an acoustic duet with his wife, Brittany, as a way to honor Kirk. The couple shared their rendition of Luke Bryan’s song, “Drink a Beer,” on Instagram.
“Funny how the good ones go/Too soon, but the good Lord knows/The reasons why I guess,” the lyrics say in part.
“Sometimes the greater plan/Is kinda hard to understand/Right now it don’t make sense. I can’t make it all make sense/So I’m gonna sit right here/On the edge of this pier/Watch the sunset disappear/And drink a beer.”
Social media followers expressed their love for Aldean’s cover of the song, calling it “beautiful” and “touching.”
Kirk was shot and killed while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University on September 10. The impact of his death has been felt across the nation and around the world, with everyone from average citizens to celebrities and world leaders paying tribute and mourning the loss.