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.

Comments

[ellezeebub]

I cried.

You cannot undervalue hope.

[EdwardTx]

I really liked the will.i.am song ( and some of the other Obama videos/songs) but this is the wrong song at the wrong time. It does, however, seem like a much better song if you listen to it without watching the video. With the video, messianic is not an over the top characterization.

[ellezeebub]

Concern troll. Obama is no messiah--that frame is straight out of the GOP doublespeak manual.

Let us have our song and our video. If you really are an Obama supporter, and an Obama-supporter supporter, you know people need these kinds of messages to keep the faith when the GOP starts in with their hate and lies.

This country needs a leader. Not some cut-rate messiah, like a GW Bush huckster repeat.

Thanks for the concern trolling though, I am sure the right wing is gleeful with our reticence to actually come forward and point out that Obama cares about the public and the middle class and won't forget who he is--a public servant.

[EdinWA]

The GOP didn't create a worship Video to Obama here... this is like any evangelical praise video just the singers are different. I thought it was a McCain at first like the others the use Obama's and other democrats words treating him like a prophet or messia.

[EdwardTx]

First of all, you need to take it down a notch. You do a disservice to your purported cause by name calling. Because that is what I consider "concern troll"to be--- childish name calling.

Second, the song belongs to Mr. Stewart. I did know you co-authored it with him. So your use of the term "our" is factually incorrect. Moreover, I did not suggest that the song be banned. As I said, I like the song NOT the video. "Yes We Can" and "We are the Ones" are better videos.

Third, if you understood cogent analysis you would know why I said the song was the wrong song at the wrong time. The GOP has ALREADY labeled the Obama campaign as a cult of personality. Obama is "The One." So it is ill timed to produce a video with a clip of Dr. King's "mountain top" speech. If you were not historically ignorant you would know that presaged his assassination in Memphis. Furthermore, given the context of a video/song entitled American Prayer you would know that Christians (of which I am one) could see this as an allusion to Jesus's death.

Finally, I support Sen. Obama's candidacy but I did not check my brains at the front door when I decided to support him. And I certainly did not agree to "support" every person of dubious sanity who claims to support Sen. Obama.

[HHarvey]

Your statement above was to be respected until you used the last line. You didn't need to slip that in there to be understood Edward.

[MuchMadness]

FDR and Truman would never have embraced something as hokey as this. This makes "Happy Days are Here Again" seem profound by comparison. If musicians and Hollywood celebrities want to help Obama, they should just pipe down.

[pupbayer]

"An Anthem For Change" Is that why he picked a running mate who has been in the Senate 35 years?

[IslandGyal]

LMAO, jealous?!?!??!?! It's ain't H*ILLARY!!!

[rich3324]

The PUMA trolls are here.

[SuiginTou7]

Even our VP has more going for him than McSame,: Verb-Noun-POW
Obama/ Biden Landside. (It's a beautiful day)

[JackNasty]

It's an improvement over John Ashcroft's "Let the Eagle Soar". But It' still has way too too much religious schmaltz for my taste.

[ZeMongoose]

Very nice--it's always nice when the music is as good as the message--whoda thunk you'd ever see Joan Baez and Pamela Anderson in the same video...lol. I'm just surprised Bono was involved, given his deep admiration for the current occupants of the White House.

[thepoliticalcat]

I don't think Bono admires the Idiot-in-Chief any more than I do. However, he has a goal. When you want/need to achieve something, you learn to work towards that goal and work with anyone who helps you further that goal. At least Bono's goal is a noble one.

[devadasi]

Fabulous video.....heartwarming to see Joan Baez!!!!

[TheDaveStewartSongbook]

This song is like a mountain

Get up

The view is yours

You'll be welcome on the top

Many are to come and go the way with you.

Subscribe to http://www.TheDaveStewartSongbook.com not to miss a beat.

[MilesTrane21]

Hey Herbie Hancock, nice to see you.

[JohnnyBoyyy]

I am here alone, it's 2 in the morning, reading Huffington comments, and cried for this. And yes, I sniffled badly watching Obama speak in Berlin!

I feel great pride for what a President Obama can do for all of us in America and around the world. He will need all of our support and maybe a little sacrifice, but that's ok.

"Sweet Dreams Are Made of This" Dave and Annie.

This is OUR Moment - This is OUR Time.

Obama '08!!!

[IslandGyal]

So do I; he just makes you proud to be an American and I am agnostic, so there's no religion or worshipping here.

[JohnnyBoyyy]

Thanks IslandGyal. I know guyz don't usually admit things likes this, but I feel good expressing how I feel about Obama.

This is my first time to follow a presidental election on the internet. Everyone should get their information from sites like The Huffington Post AND read the wide varieties of comments AND comment themselves. There would be no more "low information" voters.

Johnny

Obama/Biden '08-'12!!!

[gr8abz]

Love it. And be GLAD he's got Joe Biden. Because while Obama in trying to remain the noble soul he is, will still have to contend with the ugliness of the Republican attack machine and the liars at FOX News. Joey Biden is a tough little Irish boy who never backs down. He can be Barack's enforcer -- cause Barack will need one to standup to the Swift Boaters. It's just a raw fact of life.

[DanielAdamSmith]

BEAUTIFUL SONG!!!

[DRaymond]

They should let this be part of the warm-up act for the arena show at the convention. The melody and lyircs are simple enough you could get the whole audience singling along.

[JLee]

A little bit saccharine and feel-good, but still gets me fired up to go out and get this man elected. I am so looking forward to the convention in Denver.

[eatbees]

This crap is exactly what we don't need right now. It takes self-parody to a whole new level.

As an Obama supporter, I can tell the difference between self-infatuated celebrity fans of Obama and the candidate himself. But the new voters he needs to win the election may not make that distinction.

The will.i.am "Yes We Can" video inspired me when it came out. But for celebrity videos with messianic overtones, this one is months behind the curve.

[timbyrnes]

There is a movement in this country. It has been going on for forty years or more.
Obama did not invent it and he does not own it. But he can get on board if he wants. Dr. King was an early catalyst for the movement with the Kennedys and others in the movement for human right dignity and peace.
This video links the movement with a whole bunch of people living and dead.
Obama can participate in this movement and can harness and direct the energy involved if he likes. He cannot kill the movement and he can not own the movement. And the movement has a life apart from him.
He has borrowed some of the language of the movement and so we identify with him. Folks need not over play the role of an indivicual in the movement. Dr. King has seen the promised land and that is enough for me.