If I’ve heard it once, I’ve heard it a thousand times: “I like everything— except country.” Beyond the “all A’s but one A” inconsistency of the phrase, it’s a flippant indicator of cultural elitism, a way to keep us divided.

In an election season celebrating change (including more room for women at the top!), I say it’s time for action. Let’s believe in the power of the human spirit and recognize our frailties. Let’s embrace tearjerker lyrics and major key cord progressions. Let’s reach out across the musical divide, and come together as One America. Country songs speak a sentimental language that we can all understand, right? It’s the same language spoken in a place called Hope.

Miranda Lambert: “Guilty In Here.” Miranda looks around and can’t find anyone to blame, so she has to start looking at herself. It’s not just the men in country songs who do the hurting.

Sarah Borges and The Broken Singles: “The Day We Met.” Sarah started in punk bands and you can still hear the ass-kicking rebellion in her honky-tonk style.

Taylor Swift: “Our Song.” We were all young once—whispering on the phone after we should’ve been in bed, sneaking out for many a late-night rendezvous. This is a happy song that makes you feel sad you can’t live those days again.

Kathleen Edwards: “Asking For Flowers.” Is it too much to ask for your lover to listen when you talk? Sometimes, but you still have to speak your mind. When Kathleen says, “Don’t tell me you’re too tired/ 10 years I’ve been working nights,” you can feel the exhaustion in her voice.

Tags: kathleen edwards, miranda lambert, sarah borges, taylor swift