James Otto - "Soldiers & Jesus"
By: Matt Bjorke
The first thing that comes to mind with this song is that it’s certainly going to touch the hearts of fans and critics alike – based on the “Soldiers & Jesus” song title alone. Written by James Otto with Chris Wallin, the song works to compare the plight of the soldiers and the sacrifices they do with that of the son of God.
Featuring a passionate and emotive vocal from Otto, “Soldiers & Jesus” is the kind of show-stopping tune that any artist would give their right leg for. The lyrics may not be as sharp and concise as some would like them to be but then again, James Otto is shooting from the heart here. Born into a family that was called to serve for the government and the citizens, James Otto is speaking from experience on “Soldiers & Jesus.” James himself even served in the Navy. And while he does touch on politics on the song (“There’s a left side, a right side and then there’s the truth”) he really wants to keep the focus on the sacrifices that soldiers make every day, just like Jesus did.
The melody and production never gets in the way of James Otto or the lyrics and it’s simply one of the ‘nicest sounding’ and ‘most country’ singles currently aiming for mainstream radio airplay. With the passionate vocal and lyrics that most people in the country music audience can relate to, “Soldiers & Jesus” feels like a song that is very much on its way to helping James Otto become a bigger, more household name.
With that being said, there are fans who listen to country music who may not want to hear another song about either soldiers or Jesus and that might keep “Soldiers & Jesus” being the big hit it should be. Country music needs artists like James Otto, artists who are unafraid to wear their heart on their sleeve, artists unafraid to be who they are (and those who are allowed to be who they are). “Soldiers & Jesus” may end up being ‘only’ a Top 40 or Top 30 hit like many of James Otto’s previous singles outside of “Just Got Started Loving You” were but that doesn’t mean it won’t be a #1 hit in the hearts and minds of the familes of soldiers and soldiers that James is singing about here. And if it only becomes a hit in that sense, the song did its job.
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If you’re interested in picking up a copy of James Otto’s new album Shake What God Gave Ya you can visit his website where he’s offering an impressive pre-order collection that includes the album, an autographed show print (poster), tote bag, can koozie, exclusive T-Shirt and an exclusive Video Chat with fans. Click the image below to get the pre-order.
READER'S COMMENTS
bravo_6 says:
Posted: Monday, April 18, 2011
This doesn't offend me because of the references to Christ. It offends me because it is B.S. Why? 1). "Well granddaddy came home in a B-52..." They don't bring home fallen soldiers aboard bombers. They bring them home in Cargo Planes. A B-52 is not a Transport and has no provision for carrying the fallen. 2.) "It seems like the news loves to run em, both down..." Name ONE news outlet that has run down soldiers - especially the fallen - or Jesus. You can't - because IT NEVER HAS HAPPENED. Not even on NPR!!!!! Another patronizingly false patriotic piece of crap from the Music Mafia in Nashville. Another piece of crap that picks a fight when there isn't a fight to pick. Another piece of crap that cheapens the sacrifice of our fallen and our savior - written so someone can make a buck off of the ignorant. If this makes you angry - it's because I'm right!
bravo_6 says:
Posted: Monday, April 18, 2011
This doesn't offend me because of the references to Christ. It offends me because it is B.S. Why? 1). "Well granddaddy came home in a B-52..." They don't bring home fallen soldiers aboard bombers. They bring them home in Cargo Planes. A B-52 is not a Transport and has no provision for carrying the fallen. 2.) "It seems like the news loves to run em, both down..." Name ONE news outlet that has run down soldiers - especially the fallen - or Jesus. You can't - because IT NEVER HAS HAPPENED. Not even on NPR!!!!! Another patronizingly false patriotic piece of crap from the Music Mafia in Nashville. Another piece of crap that picks a fight when there isn't a fight to pick. Another piece of crap that cheapens the sacrifice of our fallen and our savior - written so someone can make a buck off of the ignorant. If this makes you angry - it's because I'm right!
Griff says:
Posted: Sunday, October 17, 2010
"bob" you are pathetic to say the least. You couldn't hack it in the military hater.
Jamie says:
Posted: Sunday, September 19, 2010
Thank you for this song. My husband is in the military and has been depoloyed twice. A lot of people don't realize the sacrifice that soldiers and their families make. When I first heard this song, I was expecting the song to be about parents and Jesus, but when I heard Soldiers and Jesus, I almost cried tears of joy to know that some people "get it."
drink & dial says:
Posted: Wednesday, September 8, 2010
This is a beautiful song Mr. Otto. Fly Brother Fly.
Jack says:
Posted: Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Anyone who doesn't like Jesus or Soldiers or this song must be part of the liberal bias in the media. There's only REAL fair TV News channel and it's Fox News! Everyone else is too biased with a spashocialism agenda to realize our country's going to hell...
bob says:
Posted: Tuesday, September 7, 2010
My comment on 2 other blog reviews for this song: There’s a line in the “Soldiers and Jesus” song, “It seems like the news loves to run ‘em both down”. I don’t think that’s true for the most part. I think the media goes out of its way to praise the service of our soldiers. Maybe it’s out of a collective guilt because most don’t serve these days because there’s no draft. The sacrifice is not shared. I don’t recall seeing anyone “running down” Jesus lately either – only the hypocrites who use his name to further their own agenda.
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