Not many country singers have Eric Church's courage to release a song like "Kill a Word," his third single from the CMA-nominated Mr. Misunderstood album.

It's an atypical hit that bets one will listen closely to understand and appreciate his message. In "Kill a Word," Church is reminding us that words said aloud, written on paper, typed online or delivered via text ... matter. It's sociopolitical message that finds the singer taking a strong stand.

"Kill a Word" is not without precedent. On his Sundown Heaven Town album, Tim McGraw included a song called "Words Are Medicine" that says the same thing, albeit from the opposite point of view (McGraw celebrates, while Church kills). Both songs are thought provoking and appropriate, but McGraw chose to keep his an album cut, despite calling it one of the most important songs on his record.

Soulful production and the addition of Rhiannon Giddens gives a more casual listener something to enjoy if he or she chooses not to dive into Church's statement. "Record Year" proved these fans will come around to discover and appreciate a radio single that's more than Dixie Cup deep.

Did You Know?: Rhiannon Giddens is a vocalist and founder of the Carolina Chocolate Drops.

Listen to Eric Church (Feat. Rhiannon Giddens), "Kill a Word"

See the Top 10 Songs of 2016 So Far

Eric Church's "Kill a Word" Lyrics:

“If I could kill a word and watch it die / I'd poison never, shoot goodbye / And beat regret when I felt I had the nerve / Yeah, I'd pound fear to a pile of sand / Choke lonely out with my bare hands / And I'd hang hate so that it can't be heard / If I could only kill a word.”

“I’d take brokenness out back / And break heartbreak, stand there and laugh / Right in its face while shootin' it the bird / I'd put upset down in its place / I'd squeeze the life out of disgrace / Lay over under six cold feet of dirt / If I could only kill a word.”

Chorus:
“Give me sticks, give me stones / Bend my body, break my bones / Use staff and rod to turn me black and blue / 'Cause you can't unhear, you can't unsay / But if were up to me to change / I'd turn lies and hate to love and truth / If I could only kill a word.”

“I’d knock out temptation's teeth / I'd sever evil, let it bleed / Then light up wicked, stand and watch it burn / I'd take vice and I'd take vile / And tie 'em up there with hostile / Hang 'em high and leave 'em for the birds / If I could only kill a word.”

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