Independence Day by Martina McBride Song Info
"Independence Day" was written by Gretchen Peters. The reference in the title has a double meaning. One refers to the Fourth of July "fair in town" attended by the young narrator. The other refers to the "independence" achieved by the Mom by burning down the house, thus killing her abusive husband (the narrator's father). The latter storyline bears notable resemblance to true-life events involving Francine Hughes in Michigan in 1977. The song was a big hit for Martina McBride in 1994. It has enjoyed sustained popularity, due to its outstanding songcraft, anthemic feel, and relevance to domestic abuse issues.