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Fired Up," an anthem for the resistance and a call to action, was inspired by a pivotal 2017 incident during the nomination hearings for the openly racist Jeff Sessions for the extremely powerful position of U.S. Attorney General.
During the hearings, Senator Elizabeth Warren attempted to read aloud a 1986 letter from Coretta Scott King, Martin Luther King, Jr.'s widow, which objected to Sessions' nomination to the federal courts by President Reagan. In her letter, King wrote that Sessions had “used the awesome power of his office to chill the free exercise of the vote by black citizens.”
Because Sessions was a sitting Senator, then-House Majority Leader Mitch McConnell invoked a rule—originally intended to prevent physical altercations—to silence Warren, demanding she stop talking based on a prohibition against speaking negatively about a fellow Senator. This was seen as an egregious and inappropriate application of the rule, which has been rarely used.
McConnell's defense of his action led to his now-famous statement: “She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted.”
The phrase "She persisted" immediately became a powerful rallying cry for the resistance movement.
The lyrics of "Fired Up" capture this spirit, affirming that together, the people are strong, angry, and "Fired Up." It serves as a reminder of the ongoing fight for an America that aligns with the vision of its founders.
Credits
Musicians:
Marilyn Walker - Lead vocals
Chris Dropinski and Cici Eberle - Vocals
John McVey - guitar
Eric Moon - keyboard
Bradley Morse - bass
Christian Teele - drums
Recorded at Cinder Sound Studios
Produced and Engineered by John McVey
Mastered by Anna Frick