Brandi Carlile’s powerful Saturday Night Live performance of “Church & State” on November 1, 2025, included a recitation of text from the Declaration of Independence, sparking audience curiosity about its origin. The inclusion of the passage wasn’t a pre-planned historical reference,but rather a spontaneous moment fueled by the enthusiastic reaction of producer Andrew Watt.
The recitation,a core element of the song’s emotional impact,arose from a conversation with Watt,who repeatedly expressed his admiration for that specific portion of the track. “I love Andrew Watt so much. Every time we talk on the phone, he’s like, ‘I fucking love ‘Church & State,’ – I love when you read the Declaration of Independence,'” Carlile explained.”He agreed with it, he believed in it and it really excited him.” The song,rooted in feelings of anger,ultimately offers a message of hope,notably relevant given Carlile’s broader exploration of mortality on the album.
“Church & State” stands out on an album grappling with themes of impermanence, culminating in Carlile’s declaration within the song: “They’re not gonna live forever… They’re here today then they’re gone forever… We’ll find a way.” This sentiment, she noted, is a positive one within the album’s context.
Carlile also performed the gentler song ”Human” on the Miles Teller-hosted episode of SNL, a track writen the night before the 2024 election and reflecting the prevailing mood at the time. Her November 1st appearance marked her second as a musical guest in 2025,following an earlier performance alongside Elton John to promote their collaborative album,Who Believes in Angels?
