Released: 2024
“Good News Sold” by Jordan Davis is an artful meditation on the transformative power of positive narratives in the media and their potential to foster a more unified and peaceful society. Through vivid storytelling and heartfelt scenarios, Davis envisions a world where uplifting stories have the highest currency, contrasting sharply with the often grim and divisive news cycles of today. This track is both a critique and a hopeful wish, wrapped in the universal language of rock with a country flair.
The song opens by painting pictures of small, yet profoundly joyous moments: a child reunited with a lost pet, a woman receiving a clean bill of health from cancer, and a couple celebrating a long-awaited pregnancy. These vignettes are brimming with the raw emotion of everyday human experience, immediately grounding listeners in the tangible, yet often overlooked, beauty of life. Davis suggests that these moments of joy, though personal, have the power to uplift on a universal scale, arguing that their prominence in media could drastically alter public mood and perception for the better.
The chorus, “If good news sold, the world wouldn’t seem so bad,” serves as the song’s thesis, delivered with a blend of frustration and longing. Davis isn’t just singing about the state of the media; he’s critiquing the appetite of the audience, the collective us, whose consumption habits dictate what is deemed newsworthy. The idea of “buying” good news isn’t just literal—it’s a metaphor for what we give our attention to, and ultimately, what we value as a society. Davis dreams of a world where stories of kindness, recovery, and unity are not only sought after but are profitable, hinting at a deeper change in societal values that would accompany such a shift.
Subsequent verses expand on the theme, illustrating acts of kindness and unexpected reunions. A bystander changing a tire for a stranger and a family reunion instigated by a surprise military homecoming are among the depictions that pull at the heartstrings. These stories go beyond feel-good moments; they are tales of humanity at its best, bridging divides and reminding us of our shared experiences. The mention of a spiritual awakening after a baptism in a river adds another layer, touching on the profound sense of renewal and hope that often accompanies spiritual and religious experiences.
In the final refrain, Davis reiterates his wish for good news to dominate our channels and devices, suggesting that such a change could ease societal tensions and lead to a more harmonious existence. The repetition of “if good news sold” transforms from a rhetorical musing to a call to action, urging listeners to reconsider what they value in the stories they seek and share.
“Good News Sold” by Jordan Davis is more than a song; it’s a reflection on the human condition and the power of narrative to shape our worldview. It challenges listeners to seek out and celebrate the positive, to become consumers and purveyors of good news in a world that desperately needs it. Through its blend of vivid storytelling and heartfelt appeal, it encourages a shift not just in media consumption but in the very fabric of our cultural values.
