Yes We Can, a phrase often cheered about anytime democratic Presidential hopeful Barack Obama is surrounded by eager voters. Yes We Can is more than three little words. It has become the backbone of Barack Obama’s political campaign. It is an attitude of hope. The desire for change. A determination to win. It is simple, but rather brilliant in its range. Barack Obama’s Yes We Can is whatever voters want it to be while remaining within the boundaries of inspiration. It is the kind of inspiration that Presidential dreams are made of. But is it enough to make a song and music video about?
Well, why not watch will.i.am’s Yes We Can Song and see for yourself. You can find the Yes We Can Song music video on the website Dipdive (here) as well as YouTube (here).
If you have not been watching your daily dose of CNN, CSPAN, FOX, or whatever abbreviated TV station of your choice, you may not realize that most of the song lyrics are actually a Barack Obama political speech. Of course, that should be pretty obvious considering the production features footage of Barack Obama giving the speech, but thought I would point that out anyhow.
Apparently, after will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas heard the speech, he was soon inspired to put it to song. So he called up some friends and made the whole thing happen in just a couple of days.
The Yes We Can Song music video features alternate singers and celebrities cut over Barack Obama. Some sing while others just speak.
Celebrities such as former Grey’s Anatomy star Kate Walsh, Enrique Murciano of television’s Without A Trace, a guitar playing Bryan Greenberg of the drama series October Road, Hill Harper of CSI New York, Eric Balfour of Sutherland’s 24, former child star Tatyani Ali of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Taryn Manning of Hustle & Flow, singer John Legend, feature film actress Scarlett Johansson, and of course will.i.am of Black Eyed Peas fame make appearances in the Yes We Can production.
While Barack Obama’s speech is great, the Yes We Can Song comes off sounding a bit rushed to me. Perhaps will.i.am should have spent a few more days on it. As it is, the song does not flow well enough for it to be truly downloadable by anyone other than strong Barack Obama supporters. And the video has a strange nervous energy to it. Whether that was intentional or not, I am not sure. However, I do appreciate will.i.am’s desire to inspire.
Ultimately, how much impact it has on Hope & Vote I guess depends on the listener…
