Exclusive Premiere: An Anthem For Change
Earlier this year when I was recording "American Prayer," a song I originally co-wrote with Bono, the phrase, "When you get to the top of the mountain, remember me" seemed to take on a whole new resonance, given the inspirational candidacy of Barack Obama.
The song always contained one of my favorite passages from Dr. King, which was hauntingly delivered the night before he was assassinated. King says: "I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land!"
People long for a connection -- whether it is to music, to their country, or to a big idea. Regardless of what happens in November, Senator Obama has reminded millions of people that they have the power to connect to bigger ideas. He is, in essence, the embodiment of a new anthem for change. He has continued King's narrative from what was once thought of as a dream to a reality. I find it especially relevant that Barack Obama will accept the Democratic Party Nomination for President 45 years to the day of King's "I Have a Dream" speech.
When we were originally writing the song, Bono was crafting the words in a way that would make people think about the fact that 'America' as a concept was a truly great idea, based on the bedrock of equality. I find it more pertinent than ever to release it now; to the moment America finds itself in, daring to re-imagine itself and its place in the world.
When I set out to make a video for the new version of this song, I wanted to honor all of those millions of people, especially young people, who are, for the first time, feeling empowered to voice their beliefs. I wanted to capture how Obama's message of change has echoed across the broad fabric of what is America. To do that, we've cast the film with an eclectic array of personalities, including Forest Whitaker, Jason Alexander, Whoopi Goldberg, Cyndi Lauper, Barry Manilow, Joan Baez, Macy Gray and Joss Stone. They appear alongside veterans, teachers and everyday citizens -- all of whom have been touched by this simple idea of change.
As an Englishman, I'm not an expert in all the intricate details of American politics. But as an artist, I understand how rare it is to inspire a connection to a bigger idea or purpose. This video isn't so much an endorsement of Barack Obama as much as it is a celebration of all those who have picked up a sign, who have registered to vote and are working to make the world a better place. So as Senator Barack Obama ascends to the mountain top, let us not forget all of the others who for the past 40 years have sung anthems of change to make this moment possible.
Watch the video for "American Prayer" here:
Fans are invited to upload their own video for the anthem at MyAmericanPrayer.com
Click here to download Dave Stewart's "American Prayer" from iTunes and here to download the ringtone from MyXer.
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This is wonderful! And the timing could not be better. As I noted in my blog yesterday, "Barack America!" http://www
"the fact that 'America' as a concept was a truly great idea, based on the bedrock of equality. I find it more pertinent than ever to release it now; to the moment America finds itself in, daring to re-imagine itself and its place in the world."
"American Prayer (Song for Barack America)"
Dave, that was just beautiful and moving. A visual piece of art. Thank you.
Very moving - especially the MLK portion... Let's hope more Americans (including Obama) really understand the message here - and demonstrate that understanding in their/our actions.
This is a "the world's in need of love today" kind of song. Love it!
From a Vietnam vet.This song has touched a place in my heart that I thought could never be reached again.Tear
Great job!!!
when the old woman looked choked up during MLK's speech, I smiled because I was feeling the same way.
Bono does admire Bush's outreach to Africa (which has been more than any president to date), and many do feel if there is some sort of silver lining of the Bush Presidency (other than leading to Barack Obama's chance to step into the crossroads of history) - it would be Dubya's actions in Africa.
i absolutely agree that Bush for some reason felt that was important to him-Africa- and as much as i have despised everything else about him, from the smirk to the horrible policies, i give him props on trying to help on the AIDS front.
As a person dealing with HIV/AIDS in this country, I am glad to see this otherwise horrible administration making some effort to help with the crisis in Africa. But I do not believe that most people know that funding for HIV/AIDS assistance here within the US has been slashed. While I have the greatest sympathy for anyone of any nation dealing with this, I am still none the less furious over the billions that have been cut from domestic funding. Under the Bush administration Americans dealing with HIV and without insurance are pretty much as screwed as any Kenyan or Nigerian dealing with it. I would plead with the public not to forget that HIV/AIDS is still a majour and growing epidemic here at home.
yet imagine how much more Gore would have done.
I believe your "old woman" is the great Joan Baez! She should be choked-up.
Can't you see!!! This is the difference between the Democrats and the Republicans. Democrats can see good in everyone because we look for it. When someone is doing a lot of bad things, we can still praise him for the things that he does that are good. Republicans, on the other hand, can only find hate and displeasure in anyone that has truth and good on their side. That is what bothers Republican
As for Bono's admiration for Bush....yo
yet Bush's efforts is puny compared to what Gore would have done, plus Bush hammered the nails in the coffin of endless women and children on his contraceptive stance. That stance is evil.
the feeling i get from this video is amazing I cant stop playing it and reconnecting to the meaning over and over again.
just love the way the put different people together like the YWC video.
what does Mccain have nothing no hope no love only war and hate.
BO and JB in 08
BE4BOin09
that's hot ;>)
I had tears in my eyes, beautiful.
Seconded. Just a beautiful, uplifting song and video.
LOVE IS WHAT THIS WORLD NEEDS AGAIN.
Loved the video we need more to remind people of the movement Barack has started.
BE4BOin09
i hope this gets played at the convention.
paging the obama campaign.
how fabulously uplifting after weeks of rovian politics and hatred from the likes of hannity, limbaugh and the whole mccain campaign.
good reminder for all of us why we need to elect obama and prevent mccain from ever stepping foot in the white house at all cost.
The republicans know only war greed. Negative in everything appealing to the worse in all of us.
Inspiring. What a refreshing change from the hate mongering videos the other side seems to enjoy.
Absolutely magical. Very impressive. Thanks guys.
WHO'S THE GUY IN THE DREADLOCKS?
Buju..
Loved it! Thank you for remembering New Orleans.
No thinking, feeling person can forget New Orleans. It is the cancer on the United States soul. While many are selflessly working to try to rebuild New Orleans, it is still a reminder of how far we yet have to go to actually live the real American Dream.
It is great to reachout across the oceans to help others, but charity begins at home. Christ instructs us to Love others as We Love ourselves. Implicit in that instruction is that we have to Love ourselves before we can truly Love others.
It is Love that heals and we need to allow ourselves to be filled with love and then let it flow out to the rest of the world.
IF we forget New Orleans we forget ourselves.
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