I don’t know about you, but I LOVE that artists use their talent and their ’star quality’ to shine on in sharing messages that reach the masses. Dave Stewart, formerly of Eurythmics, birthed this song together with Bono some time ago.
When he saw what was happening in the U.S…w/Election ‘08…when he saw that change could indeed come to America, and as a result to the rest of the world his inspiration took fire. He co-created this amazing video with other starry friends like Colbie Caillat, Forrest Whitaker, Whoopie Goldberg, Jason Alexander, Macy Gray and many others as well as some incredible every day citizens, just like you and I.
Here are some notes from Dave Stewart explaining a bit about the song…and why it feels to him like such an inspired time for American Prayer:
“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.”
I hope you enjoy “American Prayer” as much as I. In times like these, in all times…I am ever grateful for messages of inspiration; especially those whose lyrics float on harmonic rainbows of sound as this one does!
Love, Peace and Harmony… ~Debra
Fri, Nov 14, 2008
Inspiration, Videos