Will.I.Am Changes CIA Lyric For Inaugural Concert

Anne Schroeder Mullins proves there is a news-worthiness to having an intimate awareness of the Black Eyed Peas catalog, as she catches Will.I.Am softening some of his lyrics on the occasion of the We Are One Inaugural Concert:

"Overseas, yeah, we try to stop terrorism. But we still got terrorists here livin' In the USA, the big CIA The Bloods and The Crips and the KKK"

That line likens the CIA to a terrorist organization. Apparently making such an incendiary charge with Barack Obama sitting just steps away was too much -- after all, Obama will be in charge of the CIA as of tomorrow.

Will.I.Am changed the line to "Overseas, yeah, we try to stop terrorism But we still got terrorists here livin' in the USA, ... no education and we got that racial hate." So, he let the Bloods, the Crips, and the Ku Klux Klan off the hook, too! All while keeping a downer lyric about how we have terrorists living in the United States.

Anyway, in a similar vein, I'd love to talk to whoever thought that going from Jack Black and Rosario Dawson talking about national parks to a song about the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and the Big Bopper was a smooth transition.

Comments

[MilesTone]

Does it look like she put on a little weight in the face? Hmmm.....

[ddanimal]

Awww That was the best line in the whole song. The CIA is absolutely a te.rror.is­t organization.

[robXdion]

That picture looks like Beyonce is giving him a rub down. But of course that's how HuffPost intended it to look.

[Cynth]

It's proving to be a pictorial Rorshach test... ;-)

[SmokinJoeCalculus]

I see it as paying the President some respect and giving him the benefit of the doubt.

He did proclaim that there are still terrorists residing within our borders - however I look at this lyrical change as more symbolic of this nation's newfound optimism and confidence.

[ajax2]

Contrast Will I Am's self censorship with Pete Seeger's self confidence. The 60's did produce brave souls.

[Furrypeanut]

To the nasty armchair critics... lets hear you sing a note in 20 degree weather. I say Bravo! I loved the feel of the whole production and comment the organizers. It feels so GOOD to be CELEBRATING an inauguration for once in a decade. All the performers were splendid and sincere.

[Robin Mackie]

weak

[lynjs]

Each time I see Beyonce, I'm going, why? Why ask her to sing at the inaugural ball? Heather Headley is a better singer. Jennifer Hudson is a better singer. Heck, the drunk on the street is a better singer. Anyone but her....UGH­!!!

[EgyptianMysterySchool]

What - you don't like off-key yodeling?

[America2011]

Both of you are nuts...Bey­once is excellent

[wineandjazz]

She was ok ( I was too busy looking and Barack and Michell). She did her job. She look like she was moved at the end (maybe wishing she had that kind of love too). She wanted that tear to drop when she was on camera but....it.­..just...d­idn't...fa­ll....on..­.que! LOL..

[Seven7s]

Who were they going to get? YOU?

Sit down...enj­oy the show stop being a jealous jacka.s.s and shut up.

[lizr]

Wd have loved to hear Jennifer Hudson!!

[walk0nwalls]

Like the Black Eyed Peas ever really gave a damn about their lyrics to begin with .

[DMHendrix]

I love the fact that there are so many critics on here! I watched it live and then again today...I enjoyed it with all of the mistakes, mispeaks and goofiness. It's what makes it authentic.

[mirage2008]

Will.i.am is annoying as hell.

[horsey]

is it wiil or william or is it am. i .will ? never heard of the guy before..

[Wilsonfisk89]

Your not missing anything. Dude has cashed in on this Obamamania big-time, becoming the official pop-rap ambassador to the administration, and token clean rapper on TV appearances and events. Give me Jeezy, Wale, Tribe Called Quest, Weezy, Hov, RZA, or any number of rappers over this dude any day.... Although you may not know of them either...

[AN2009]

The real question is who thinks Will.I.Am is a good musician to begin with -- the Black Eyed Peas are terrible! Period.

[LeeCalif]

I always thought the Black Eyed Peas were a knock-off of Delight.

Anyone agree?

[avenue]

I think he is. Although, BEP is a gimmick. Pre-Fergie BEP had a lot more depth.

[11907281]

It's too bad most consumers won't buy or listen to it unless it's got some eye candy for the dodo birds.

[luluLA]

I like him- It's a Good Day was catchy- like most of his stuff- but hey.... maybe Britney is more your thing?

[AN2009]

Will.I.Am and Spears are both terrible. That was a lame come back. Try harder next time...

[wineandjazz]

I thought it was just me. How did he become a political sensation?

[OldSkooler]

Seriously, I thought Garth Brooks was great, and I am NOT a big hat act fan. His hat-doff to Barack and Michelle and his wave to the kids was really respectful and joyous all at the same time.

I also felt that the song "Shout" was done simply to get the crowd hopping and bouncing and warm. That's such an audience-p­articipati­on number that I truly believe it was there just to keep people from dying of hypothermia.

I'm not gonna moan about segues or non sequiturs: it was a blast. I loved it. And mounting a production like that under conditions like those is a MIRACLE. My hat's off to all the hard-working grunts behind the scenes who made sure the sound and the sets worked and everything came off smoothly.

Bravo!!! I just hope lots of spirits and ghosts were there boogeying down and loving the day with us. They know who they are.

[shel3364]

ya know, I'm not really a GB fan, but the man knows how to put on a show. He was really the only one to engage the audience until "this land is your land".


HBO showed it for us non-subscribers. Some of the speaking parts we a little much for me, but overall, I'd give it a 9.

[harrymellon]

Sell Out Loser. Looks like the truth is something we have to sacrifice to pretend change is coming. Wouldn't want to offend the king.

[Americanium]

God bless your sorry sour heart..May you have a wonderful life filled with nothing but the best that life has to offer.

Hope the Obama years create nothing but great opportunities for you and your family..

[chazzman]

People we WON. Give a rest to this downer s**t. Rejoyce, the 20th will bring a new day.