American Prayer - Dave Stewart (Barack Obama Music Video)

AMERICAN PRAYER SONG on iTunes: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObj... http://www.myxer.com/CHANGE or text "CHANGE" to 69937 to get your "American Prayer" ringtone FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT SONG http://www.myamericanprayer.co... 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. LYRICSThis is my American PrayerThis is my American PrayerThis is the time to finish what you startedAnd this is no time to dreamThis is the roomWe can turn off the dark tonightMaybe then we might seeAmerican PrayerAmerican PrayerAnd this is the groundThat keeps our feet from getting wetAnd this is the sky over our headAnd what you see depends on where you standAnd how you jump will tell you where you're gonna landAmerican PrayerAmerican PrayerMy oh myCouldn't get much higherLets not kick out the darknessMake the light brighterAnd these are the handsWhat are we gonna build with them?This is the church you can't seeGive me your tired, your poor and huddled massesYou know they're yearning to breathe freeThis is my American PrayerAmerican PrayerAmerican PrayerWhen you get to the top of the mountainWill you tell me what you seeIf you get to the top of the mountainRemember meLIST OF GUESTS IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE:Dave StewartForest WhitakerAmy KeysMacy GrayJason AlexanderColbie CaillatWhoopi GoldbergJoss StoneBuju BantonAnn Marie CalhounBarry ManilowLinda PerryCyndi LauperSergio MendesHerbie HancockMike BradfordMargaret ChoCindy GomezSpeechJoan BaezDaedelusPamela AndersonPeter & GordonSierra SwanNadirah XPerez Hilton http://davestewart.com/

Channel: Music
Uploaded: November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am
Author: DaveStewartOfficial

Length: 05:40
Rating: 4.44
Views: 788091

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