Awesome Obama "American Prayer" Video: A Beautiful Song!
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Artist:
This video is just amazing. It really captures what Barack Obama is all about, the hope he promise he represents. And this song is very beautiful and moving
Dave Stewart on why he wrote the song:
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.
Locating MOG account...
Comments (18)
I was surprised at how moving the song was
the MLK part towards the end had water laeking from my eyes...
baRACK the Vote!
It's an amazing video and song.
i've got goosebumps!
I know it's so moving. I feel the way I feel when I listen to Obama give a speech, when I listen to this song.
Oh, look. I think your lips missed a spot on his ass. Go for it!
I feel like.. going out and hugging a tree now. Perhaps Ill dress in a costume and go run amok on capital hill with a bottle of fake blood... become one with the protest borg.
Lemmings... I really dislike lemmings.
btw, what is "his" message.. exactly. And how is it different than any other politician, much less democrat politician. Is it unique, or is it just all warm and fuzzy.
Never mix politics with work, relationships or relaxation. It is a beast of its own making. And a film director, a musician or a guy on stilts on the mall in DC does not constitute nor guarantee a intellectual insight, but somehow lemmings follow those words and eat it as if their very soul depended on it. Well... if it makes ya happy I suppose. Its never been about change for most young democrats, its mostly about feeling good. And I hope that song made ya feel good.
Hmmmm. I think it is a generational thing, and also an issue of vested interests. Why on earth would any young person want a 70-80 year old representing them? The message is really a change in the guard. Perhaps there is no reason to expect earth shattering results but your reactions are pretty damnh cynical. How about you talk positively about your (I assume) candidate in stead of talking about lemmings and ass kissing. Bring something to the table if you think Obama lacks substance.
Ps - I do tend to agree that this is not the right forum. I like to like MOG for the music and the social commentary but not the nekid politics.
You know a whole lot of music deals with social issues and politics and this song certainly does. And if music is just entertainment for you, I feel sorry for you. Music, the rock and roll of Dylan and the Beatles and the Stones for starters and 100s of other artists, have had a profound impact on me, on how live, on what I value. I don't believe you can separate music, real music, real art, from life and politics is part of life.
And for 8 years we have had evil people destroying the U. S. and having a terrible impact on the rest of the world and while Obama may not be perfect, he is way better than that McCain creature. That man is scary in what he doesn't know and how arrogant he acts.
So take all the pot shots you want, but if happen to live in the U.S., this is a very critical time and if Obama isn't elected, the U.S. is going to continue down the road to facism.
One final note, there's no band more rock 'n' roll than The Clash, and their greatest albums were all about rock and politics.
Thanks for your thoughts Michael.
"And for 8 years we have had evil people destroying the U. S. and having a terrible impact on the rest of the world,"
Ok, ill bite. First off, the music issue. Like all art music at its best should compliment ones view on things. The songs and art we most closely relate too simply pull from within what was already there. But even then it is nothing more than raw emotions and ideas.
It requires a filteration through reality, social consequences, the need to mate, to eat, to protect our clans, the daily trials and tribulations of life, our own capacity for intellectualism is the strength in which this filtration occurs.
A break down or lack of intellectualism (followers) tend to miss this process in part or in whole and instead take direct meaning through what is presented to them. When that message is spun in such a manner that is considered "new" or "different" it is only that much easier of a pill to swallow.
People reflect upon their lives in an unconscious state with each breath they take, it is our blessing and our curse given to us by a higher power. It is what makes us able to grow as a species. Animals merely rely on the concsious state... ow that hurts... ow that hurts... ow that hurts.. dont do that again... humans ask why does it hurt, and can it be changed. Followers often times have their unconscious voices easily silenced and take the message at face value as "better", "different" or "new".
The bad thing about all of this is those that lead the majority of these followers are very very very much aware of their "lemmings" need to want to feel they are "changing" the world that they have been told over and over and over is so horribly "evil". And to their own advantage they use it.
Our system of government is both a curse and a blessing. Money controls every thing, the politicians all have an agenda that is power driven and materialisticly motivated (it may not have started that way) and even the most innocent of them are simply puppets on the strings of masters who ultimately control our Unites States.
So I have news for the "followers" out there, they are all evil. And so are you, pick which black hat fits best, and go with it. But do yourself and your peers a favor;
1. Dont be a lemming
2. Do research to the truth, listen and read and watch both sides of a issue, then go to the library or on the internet and do some more. Then run it all through you filter as objectively as you can.
3. Understand that over population is due to a lack of education. Educate and the world is a better place. Treating the symptoms makes you feel better, but doesnt do diddly for the earth.
4. Treat the disease and not the symptoms in all issues, even if its a hard pill to swallow
4. Free Trade is the only answer to world peace, and that means alot of hungry homeless people along the way to getting there.
5. Unions are usually bad 20 years after their inception
6. Congress is where your money is best spent, specifically the house, get to know your represenative, know the local industries that finance their campaigns, that is what your going to get when elected, that is who changes the world.
7. Presidents, and even more specifically Vice Presidents are merely figure heads and scape goats except vetos and commander and chief roles.
8. War has been around for 4+ thousand years, it is not going away. Understand why its a neccesity, wrap your Lennon albums up in celephane and understand that it is important that we police the world, because if we dont, someone else will. (See Georgia).
9. Dont let Bono get your panties in a wad, he is just a guy in blue jeans that put on a heck of a show at red rocks that sprung them into stardom forever. He is no more qualified to impart his ideas on the world than you or I.... do you really want that responsiblity.. of course not, its too big of a task.. but that SOB seems to have no problem with it.
10. Stardom does not mean you have some sort of moral responsibility to preach to lemmings. The best (Tom Hanks) simply put it out there for you to decide, and let you run it through your filter. The rest... well the rest simply took to many drugs over the years.
Lemmings..
Michael, thanks for posting this, excellent!
GIY: So you're just a crankypants in general then, and not necessarily an Obama hater? or do I paraphrase too much? ;-)
Seriously though, if anything, the whole energy that Obama has created has proved to me that people do know what they want, and he got out in front of that wave, like most great leaders do.
Great leaders use their skills to show us the better angels of our nature, and help us get there. Obama can do that. McCain can't. It's as simple as that to me. His speech on race and racism earlier this year will stand the test of time and reside alongside such moments as King's I Have A Dream speech, or FDR's chats, or Churchill in the Battle of Britain.
None of those speech's where considered great at the time of delivery, it wasnt until decades later and once put in perspective that they ascended to what most call "great".
And no, not a cranky pants as much as a person with distaste for people who are easily swooned by PETA commercials, Bono speechs, Code Pink rallyist. I far prefer people who not only come up with their own well thought out and researched fact based OBJECTIVE points of views. Propaganda, which is all that video is, has never been a friend of mine.
Regardless of whether I support in principle what Bono has to say, or what the talking points of Obama or McCain's platform is. I in general dislike the masses who wave the liberal flag, fall behind in step with whatever their "popular culture" tells them to fall behind, and often times state arguements that even with the slightest bit of intellect are not only easily torn down with the presentation of facts, but when considered with reality are deemed down right socialist.
Yes, Racism exist, no, in this country the perpetrator is no longer the white male as it once was 50 years ago. Yes, women have a choice, and yes, stem cell is good. Killing a formed fetus is not. Yes, pollution is a huge issue, and democratic and republican interest will keep it from ever being addressed properly. And no, global warming is not due to the human race or its "air pollutants" anymore than I helped the fire department put out a bonfire by pissing on it prior to their arrival.
Gore did not invent the internet anymore than he is trying to save the planet. Find what his biggest buisness is, and how you too can give money to his company to offset your credits... did I mention its NOT a not for profit.
Economics in this country, and what happens to our economy... HAS NEVER (Since FDR and even then it was his idea but not his doing) BEEN CHANGED OR EFFECTED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. ITs congress. Why cant the majority of america get that through their thick skulls.
Allen Greenspan was and is a genious. Simply because he ignored the politicians, on both sides of the isle and used the brains god gave him.
What todays congress puts into place, will not rear its ugly head for 4 more years at the earliest on economic terms.
Obama is idea, and "they" never expected him to go this far. I am ready for a president who is african american, unfortunately, some redneck in GA may not be. God help us if that heats up.
He lacks foreign policy experience, he lacks economic experience, he lacks leadership experience. He excells as an idea though.
McCain is not a good choice either.
I gotta go to work.
We're going to have a new president. It will either be Obama or McCain. I have paid close attention to the Bush presidency. From all of the information I have, McCain will continue Bush policies and go even further in a very bad direction.
Obama or McCain. That is the choice. Only one will be the next president.
And if you don't vote, that's like a vote for McCain.
This is not a perfect world and we will never get anything close to a "perfect" president.
Wow - Ghost in You - my hats off to you, man.
Full on applause.
oh im voting, and it will require a few hours each week up until election doing my fair share of casual reading, paroozing of radio and tv broadcast from both sides of the isle, a little search engine magic to check voting records, find out what will and wont be addressed in all likelyhood in the next 4 years, which way congress will lean on those issues (depending on majority) and what, if any role a president can take to support or oppose what I consider important to me.
And once I decide, I will have to take the good with the bad, but at least I will rest easy knowing he will be little more than a figure head, and the noisy concerned masses will go back to their x-boxs, their nfl seasons, their weekend benders or whatever it is that eats up the majority of their life, and they will long grown blissfully ignorant of it all.
And I plan to be right there with them. At least I can say that my decisions are not based or influenced by emotional tugging of heart strings my videos or propaganda ideals thrown predictably down our throats from both sides of the isle.
And I think I will sleep just that much better for it.
Wish their was a edit button.
Please insert "Have" in "and they will HAVE long grown blisff...."
Also X the "My" and make it a "By" in "tugging of heart strings BY videos...."
Im a stickler for grammar, (at least the quality of grammar as I know it). Its bad enough I have let sentence structure and capitlization go awry.... it is hard to take someone seariously when they have the grammar and typing skills of a 3rd grader. But internet posting is another topic for another time.
In the end, do what is best for you and for your family. Just understand that very well may be the exact opposite of what you would feel most comfortable with, would find the easiest to do, or would make you feel the most warm and fuzzy.
Question everything, just accept that sometimes the answer you hear is the right one. Change for the sake of change is not good.
Peace
Ghost