American Prayer - Dave Stewart (Barack Obama Music Video)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVi4rUzf-0QVOTE - Black History / American History
FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT SONG
http://www.myamericanprayer.com
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.
LYRICS
This is my American Prayer
This is my American Prayer
This is the time to finish what you started
And this is no time to dream
This is the room
We can turn off the dark tonight
Maybe then we might see
American Prayer
American Prayer
And this is the ground
That keeps our feet from getting wet
And this is the sky over our head
And what you see depends on where you stand
And how you jump will tell you where you're gonna land
American Prayer
American Prayer
My oh my
Couldn't get much higher
Lets not kick out the darkness
Make the light brighter
And these are the hands
What are we gonna build with them?
This is the church you can't see
Give me your tired, your poor and huddled masses
You know they're yearning to breathe free
This is my American Prayer
American Prayer
American Prayer
When you get to the top of the mountain
Will you tell me what you see
If you get to the top of the mountain
Remember me
LIST OF GUESTS IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE:
Dave Stewart
Forest Whitaker
Amy Keys
Macy Gray
Jason Alexander
Colbie Caillat
Whoopi Goldberg
Joss Stone
Buju Banton
Ann Marie Calhoun
Barry Manilow
Linda Perry
Cyndi Lauper
Sergio Mendes
Herbie Hancock
Mike Bradford
Margaret Cho
Cindy Gomez
Speech
Joan Baez
Daedelus
Pamela Anderson
Peter & Gordon
Sierra Swan
Nadirah X
Perez Hilton
http://davestewart.com/