Keith Urban debuts song about Harvey Weinstein scandal at CMAs

Nov. 8 (UPI) -- Country music star Keith Urban debuted a song inspired by sexual assault allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein at the Country Music Awards Wednesday night.

The country singer appeared on stage alone to perform the ballad "Female" as lyrics from the song describing women such as "healer," "mother," "fire" and "nature" appeared on the screen behind him.

Urban, who is married to actress Nicole Kidman, said Shane McAnally, Nicolle Galyon and Ross Copperman wrote the song five days after allegations against Weinstein emerged.

"The writers wrote this song on October 10th and I heard it the next day," Urban said. "I got to hear it fresh out of the oven, and it was instant love for me. I know all three of [the writers] and I think obviously the tone of times right now was weighing on all of them, and compelled them to write this song."

Urban described the song as a "pure reaction" and the lyrics discuss gender roles, female empowerment and consent.

"When somebody laughs and implies that she asked for it / Just cause she was wearing a skirt / Oh is that how that works?" Urban sings in one line.

Kidman was one of many Hollywood actresses to speak out against Weinstein and others accused of sexual abuse and Urban said the song drew an emotional reaction from the singer.

"It affected me not just as a husband but also as a father of two young girls, and a son," he said. "I had a heart reaction - my first thought was that it was a gospel soul prayer mantra, all rolled into one."