I found this will.i.am “We Are The Ones” video by way of Terry Frank.
I’m disappointed, I think.
The video, as a political ad, is okay. As a politically-inspired tune, it stinks – as much or perhaps more than the official Yes We Can campaign song and the “unofficial” I Got a Crush on Obama.
Of course, I should mention – if you play that video and this video at the same time – it makes a fairly interesting combo of sound. Otherwise, the tune sounds like contemporary worship music and has a Michael Smith “Awesome God” as performed by P. Diddy and Johnny Cash feel to it – if you can imagine that.
(PS – TREND UPDATE: False Idols/Graven Images have officially fallen by the wayside. If you want to be adored and worshiped by the masses these days, you must be heavily endorsed by celebrities. For best results, get singing celebrities.)
Blah, the hook isn’t even catchy enough that I’m worried about mindlessly humming it at the Lincoln Day Dinner.
I expected better.
Here, you have this previously unknown black senator, who hasn’t accomplished much politically and wasn’t expected to do well in the election. He is a minority. He has a a funny sounding name, gianormous ears, and his wife seems to possess more personality in her pinky finger than he does in his whole entire body – yet he’s managed to worm his way into the hearts of America by talking.
That’s all – just talking. If Obama can do that, you’d think he could, at least, inspire a great political tune.
Granted, I don’t expect much from apparent supporter John Legend. He tends to pick material that makes him sound as though he’s being painfully mowed down by a Kubota tractor… or makes you want to mow him down with a tractor. But Macy Gray? And still, this is the best they can do?
So, should I write a letter to the O Campaign urging them to commission Spoon? Or should I face what appears to be the truth – only war inspires good political music?
The “Change We Can Believe In” obviously doesn’t.
Then again, we haven’t actually seen a change: therefore we must have faith in the change, which explains why the anthem sounds like praise music – and that is okay, I guess, but still… it ain’t no Fortunate Son.
