Yes We Can video & other similar videos

Subject: Yes We Can video & other similar videos
From: Azizi
Date: 17 Feb 08 - 11:08 PM

The content of this thread might fit better above the line, but I think its spirit fits better below the line.

The will i am "Yes We Can" video includes clips from Senator Barack Obama's New Hampshire primary speech. This video has been posted a number of times on YouTube. To date, one example of that video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fZHou18Cdk has had 3,818,304 viewers and has 10,321 comments on YouTube and counting. Of course, that video has appeared in other blogs, and has been sent to countless people through emails.

In my opinion, will i am's "Yes We Can" political video is very powerful and very creative. And I've been interesting and delighted to see so many similarly patterned political videos that have been produced since that video has gone viral.

This thread includes links to those videos that I've seen.

Comments about these videos and links to other similar videos are welcome in this thread.

Thanks in advance for your participation in this thread!

Subject: RE: Yes We Can video & other similar videos
From: Azizi
Date: 17 Feb 08 - 11:10 PM

Hmm, well I guess this thread wanted to be above the line, as it is placed there because I forgot to add the BS classification.

Okay. That works for me.

Subject: RE: Yes We Can video & other similar videos
From: Azizi
Date: 17 Feb 08 - 11:19 PM

Before providing links and descriptions of other parodies? of
will i am's Yes We Can video, here's his explanation of why he produced that video:

was sitting in my recording studio watching the debates...
Torn between the candidates
I was never really big on politics...
and actually I'm still not big on politics...
but 4 years ago, me and the black eyed peas supported Kerry...
And we supported Kerry with all our might...
We performed and performed and performed for the DNC...
doing all we could do to get the youth involved...

The outcome of the last 2 elections has saddened me...
on how unfair, backwards, upside down, unbalanced, untruthful,
corrupt, and just simply, how wrong the world and "politics" are...

So this year i wanted to get involved and do all i could early...

And i found myself torn...
because this time it's not that simple...
our choices aren't as clear as the last elections ...
last time it was so obvious...
Bush and war vs. no bush and no war...

But this time it's not that simple...
and there are a lot of people that are torn just like i am...
So for awhile I put it off and i was going to wait until it was decided for me...

And then came New Hampshire...
And i was captivated...
Inspired...

Added: February 02, 2008

-snip-

Here's a link to a television interview of Black Eye Peas' producer and front man, will i am and Jesse Dylan {Bob Dylan's son} who is the video's director and film maker

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYwfi3_KyAw&feature=related

Subject: RE: Yes We Can video & other similar videos
From: Azizi
Date: 17 Feb 08 - 11:22 PM

Here are the "lyrics" of this music/political video:

"It was a creed written into the founding documents that declared the destiny of a nation. Yes we can.

It was whispered by slaves and abolitionists as they blazed a trail toward freedom. Yes we can.

It was sung by immigrants as they struck out from distant shores and pioneers who pushed westward against an unforgiving wilderness. Yes we can.

It was the call of workers who organized; women who reached for the ballot; a President who chose the moon as our new frontier; and a King who took us to the mountain-top and pointed the way to the Promised Land.

Yes we can to justice and equality. (yes we can) Yes we can to opportunity and prosperity. Yes we can to opportunity and prosperity. Yes we can to opportunity and prosperity. Yes we can heal this nation. Yes we can repair this world. Yes we can. Si Se Puede.

We know the battle ahead will be long, but always remember that no matter what obstacles stand in our way, nothing can stand in the way of the power of millions of voices calling for change.
We want change!

We have been told we cannot do this by a chorus of cynics who will only grow louder and more dissonant. We've been asked to pause for a reality check. We've been warned against offering the people of this nation false hope.
But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope.
We want change! I want Change.

The hopes of the little girl who goes to a crumbling school in Dillon are the same as the dreams of the boy who learns on the streets of LA; we will remember that there is something happening in America; that we are not as divided as our politics suggests; that we are one people; we are one nation; and together, we will begin the next great chapter in America's story with three words that will ring from coast to coast; from sea to shining sea - Yes. We. Can.

Added: February 02, 2008

Subject: RE: Yes We Can video & other similar videos
From: Azizi
Date: 17 Feb 08 - 11:33 PM

Here's a link to what I believe is the first video parody that was of the produced of the Yes We Can video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gwqEneBKUs
john.he.is

-snip-

This video includes clips from Republican Senator John McCain's speeches, including his "bomb, bomb, bomb Iran snippet.

The title of this video is obviously a take-off of the Yes I Am video. The john. he. is. video also utilizes the same pattern as the Yes I Can video.

I think this john. he. is. video is also very powerful, and creative.

And parts of it made me smile.

Subject: RE: Yes We Can video & other similar videos
From: Azizi
Date: 17 Feb 08 - 11:39 PM

Here's the comment that was posted by Election08, the group which produced the john. he. is. video:

"Will.i.am totally stole this idea from us, we've been thinking for a long time that earnest people reacting to a candidate is the future of music video.

[list of those persons responsible for creating this video as well as the "guests" featured in the video]

The video's lyrics:

The work that we face in our time is great
in a time of war
and the terrible sacrifices it entails
the promise of a better future is not always clear
there's gonna be other wars
I'm sorry to tell you there's gonna be other wars

there's gonna be a lot of combat wounds
and my friends it's gonna be tough
and we're gonna have a lot to do
That old Beach Boys song, Bomb Iran?
Bomb Bomb Bomb, Bomb...

I'm still convinced that withdrawal means chaos
and if you think that things are bad now
if we withdraw--you ain't seen nothing yet
was the war a good idea, worth the price in blood and treasure?
It was a good idea

President Bush talked about our staying in Iraq for 50 years
Maybe a hundred, that's fine with me
I don't think Americans are concerned if we're there for a hundred years, or a thousand years, or ten thousand years. "

Added: February 11, 2008

Subject: RE: Yes We Can video & other similar videos
From: Azizi
Date: 17 Feb 08 - 11:45 PM

Another political video which uses similar visuals and the same tune as the Yes I Am video is barelypolitical's "John McCain: No, You Can't"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUKINg8DCUo&NR=1

"Barack Obama has Yes, We Can. John McCain is here to give you the straight talk. So deal".

Subject: RE: Yes We Can video & other similar videos
From: Azizi
Date: 17 Feb 08 - 11:56 PM

Here's a link to the latest video that is a take-off of the Yes I Am video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gI7WwY4a9ro
NO, YOU CAN'T -- NO SE PUEDE.

-snip-

Here's the comment that was posted with that video:

"NO, YOU CAN'T -- NO SE PUEDE.

Status quo is Latin for scandal, recession, Bush, McCain, global warming, children without healthcare, young men and women dying in Iraq for 100 years, and tax cuts for the super-rich while we rack up trillion dollar deficits. If you prefer more of the same, please stick with the Grand Ol' Party. If you want hope and change, there's that other guy running for president...

We made "No, You Can't" as a part parody/part homage (or "parage," if you will :-) ), to the original piece by will.i.am. We're inspired by the movement that Obama has set in motion, and wanted to poke fun at the entrenched interests and cynics who'll be pushing back harder and harder against us as our movement grows stronger.

Members of the power elite featured in this video include: Dick Cheney, Filmore Barrols, Ivy League-Legacy, Jen Trification, D. Forrest Callee, Monet Oliver de Place, Winsome Mandate, and Lily the Dog.

Brought to you by the same spoiled brats who brought you Billionaires for Bush http://billionairesforbush.com

Creative Team: Melody Bates (producer), Elissa Jiji (producer), Marco Ceglie (writer/post-production genius), Andrew Boyd (other writer/post-production sub-genius), Tom Blake (camera), Diana Solomon (hair and makeup), Eddie Martinez (editor), Ken Rosser (guitar), Ron Kidd (Dick Cheney), Brian Fairbanks & Justin Krebs & Cliff Tasner (co-conspirators), Kim & Philippo (dog wrangling).

+++


NO YOU CAN'T—NO SE PUEDE [lyrics]

...It was a creed, snuck into the founding documents that denied the destiny of a nation.

No, you can't.

It was decreed by bankers and landowners as they marched our monopolies westward.

No, you can't.

No you can't stop our power and privilege.

No you can't repeal our tax cuts for the wealthy few.

No you can't heal this nation.

No you can't end the war.

No you can't.

No matter what obstacles stand in our way, nothing can stand in the way of the power of our power keeping us in power.

Status quo.

Now the hopes of the little girl who goes to a private school in Newport are the same as the dreams of the boy who parties in the clubs of LA.

We are not as divided as our portfolios suggest. We run this nation, and together we will stop this nonsense about writing the next great chapter in the American story with three words that will ring from coast to coast; from sea to shining sea --

No. You. Can't.

VOTE GOP? "

Subject: RE: Yes We Can video & other similar videos
From: Azizi
Date: 18 Feb 08 - 08:05 AM

Here's a general description of these videos for those people who don't have access to YouTube or other online video websites:

Each of the videos use the same moderately slow {probably originally composed} tune. In each of the videos, the visuals are shown using a collage-like two or three part split screen. In one part of the screen the politician {either Barack Obama or John McCain} is shown talking {giving a speech}. In the second screen a celebrity or guest/member of the production company is either reciting the same text of that speech alongside of the politician or is singing the words to that speech or a riff of some words of that speech {such as "Yes We Can" in the case of Obama or "100 years" in the case of McCain}. When the screen is split into three parts, Obama, or in the case of the subsequent videos, McCain or Obama, is shown in the middle screen while the same or two different celebrities/production members are shown on the right and left screens.

The "Yes I Am" video had certain recurring characters such as the man {will i am} who started the video by touching {fixing?} a pin on his jacket {his microphone}; a man playing an acoustic guitar; a woman "signing" the speech [using American sign language], a mother holding her daughter in her arms, a blond haired woman with ear phones on singing into a studio microphone, and a Latino looking man making the Black power salute {in this case, the left arm extended forward with the hand in a fist}.

What makes the subsequent videos so interesting and so humorous is how these videos used the same tune but with different words, and the same techniques of the split screens, the video snippets of the featured politican giving a speech, and the same or similar distinctive recurring characters {such as the first person fixing a pin on his or her jacket, the woman with ear phones talking in a studio microphone, the man playing an acoustic guitar, and the Latino looking man man playing an acoustic guitar}.

For instance, in the last video whose link I posted which features wealthy Americans saying "No you can't" to all of us struggling folks, a Dick Cheney look alike begins the video and is shown throughout, sneer and all. And instead of the woman holding her daughter, a well to do woman is holding a pet poodle.

The result-hilarious-in a sad but witty way.

Subject: RE: Yes We Can video & other similar videos
From: Azizi
Date: 18 Feb 08 - 08:34 AM

It seems to me that Michael Jackson's/USA for Africa 1985 video
"We Are The World" may have been a important precusor
to will. i. am's 2008 "Yes I Am" music/political video.

"We Are The World" focused on the social cause of helping to end hunger in Africa. "Yes I Am" focuses on the 2008 USA Presidental campaign. However, both projects successfully use music and visuals for more than just entertainment purposes.

Here's a link to a YouTube video of "We Are The World":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ne7fPpxAnuM

**
One of the main similarities between "We Are The World" and will. i. am's "Yes We Can" video is how both videos feature of a number of different celebrities.

Click on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USA_for_Africa to see a list of the celebrities who are featured in "We Are The World".

Click on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yes_We_Can for a list of the celebrities who are featured in the "Yes We Can" video.

There's no question that both the "We Are The World" and "Yes I Can" videos were ground breaking. It'll be interesting to see what innovations will come next in the music/videos meet politics and/or social causes realm.

Subject: RE: Yes We Can video & other similar videos
From: Azizi
Date: 18 Feb 08 - 09:37 AM

Ugh...

I just read this sentence and said "What?!"

Here's a link to what I believe is the first video parody that was of the produced of the Yes We Can video:

I meant to write something like "Here's a link to what I believe is the fist video parody of the "Yes We Can" video.

I'm sure that I've made other sentence formation, grammar, and typing mistakes in this thread. I'm sorry about that.

**

Btw, I think it's important to note that neither will i am's "Yes We Can" video nor any of the other subsequent parody videos were made with the knowledge or consent of the Barack Obama campaign or any other political campaign.

However, I imagine that Barack Obama is pleased with these videos-and I imagine that John McCain isn't.

Also, isn't it interesting that these video parodies focus on John McCain-the presumptive Republican presidental nominee-rather than on Hillary Clinton, who is also still campaigning for the Democratic presidental nomination?

I'm glad about that.

Subject: RE: Yes We Can video & other similar videos
From: Azizi
Date: 22 Feb 08 - 10:15 PM

Here's a link to an Obama campaigh video that has an Afro-Latin music background:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3ex_OLA3fs&feature=related

Added on YouTube {by the musician/group?} fojeba on January 28, 2008

**

I'm not sure about the name of this upbeat song, but it might be "Fired Up. Ready To Go" as that chant which Obama has popularized during his campaign is the song's only lyrics. The video also includes audio clips of Obama's speeches. The video also features photos of Senator Obama campaigning.

Also, I'm not sure what genre of music this is since Afro-Latin is a wide genre. I posted a comment to that YouTube and asked whether it was salsa. If I get a response, I'll post it.

Subject: RE: Yes We Can video & other similar videos
From: Azizi
Date: 22 Feb 08 - 10:58 PM

Here are links to two "Latinos for Barack Obama" videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ky8Hvq-F0U
Puede Cambiar" (United For Obama)
Written and performed by Andres Useche.

**

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0dMxqgS1-8
http://www.amigosdeobama.com/
Obama Song Spanish Reggaeton {Como Se Dice}

LYRICS:
"Como Se Dice...Como Se llama? (OBAMA, OBAMA)"
Oye mi gente este es un hombre preperado...
La esperanza ha llegado.
Como Se Dice...Como Se llama?
OBAMA! OBAMA! (Repeat four times)

Dicen que no contamos...
Invisibles porque no votamos...
Pero aqui estamos y todo esto va cambiar...
We did the marchas y ahora vamos a votar.
Listen to me gente, es tiempo para algo diferente..
What we need is un nuevo presidente...
Como Se Dice...Como Se llama?
OBAMA! OBAMA! (Repeat two times)

Los Mexicanos como se llama?
OBAMA! OBAMA!
Puerto Riqueños, como se llama?
OBAMA! OBAMA!
Los Peruanos, como se llama?
OBAMA! OBAMA!

En esta gran nacion ya no existe una buena educacion,
Dicen todo el dinero va a la imigracion
Es facil culpar el que no vota
El gigante Latino esta que brota
Despierta!
Vamos a eligir a quien de veras entienda...
Como Se Dice...Como Se llama?
OBAMA! OBAMA! (Repeat four times)

Los Colombianos, como se llama?
OBAMA! OBAMA!
Dominicanos, como se llama?
OBAMA! OBAMA!
Los Cubanos, como se llama?
OBAMA! OBAMA!
Los Brasilieros, como se llama?
OBAMA! OBAMA!
Salvadoreños, como se llama?
OBAMA! OBAMA! Latinos!!!
La esperanza ha llegado.
Como Se Dice...Como Se llama? (Repeat)

© 2007. Nueva Vista Media, Inc. All Rights

**

click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reggaeton for information about reggaeton

Subject: RE: Yes We Can video & other similar videos
From: Azizi
Date: 22 Feb 08 - 11:04 PM

Correction:

The title of that song by Andres Useche is "Si Se Puede Cambiar" (United For Obama)

Subject: RE: Yes We Can video & other similar videos
From: Azizi
Date: 29 Feb 08 - 11:58 AM

Here's the new will. i. am video that promotes Senator Barack Obama for President:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghSJsEVf0pU
We Are The Ones Song by will.i.am

**

Here's the "lyrics/words" to that song/spoken word video:

"people say Obama's words are just words...
but...
when was the last time "words" weren't important...???...

when was the last time a great leader didn't use words to lead...??...
when was the last time a person didn't use words to describe how they felt...?...
when was the last time "words" weren't empowering...?...

and we can all recall the last time "words" were used to divide us and install fear...

Bush used words to fear us into voting for him the second time around...
terror this...
terror that...
nuclear here...
weapons of mass destruction there...

and those words effected a lot of people's choices...

"enough is enough"...
let's rebuild...

let's change ourselves...
let's allow positivity to guide us...

let's take action....
let's activate our passion...
we are Americans....

and this is the first time in forever that someone running for president represents "US"...

some say this is all excitement...
I call it "proud to be an American"...

some say this whole Obama movement is "cult like"...
well...
if it comes across cult like...
then...
the cult is called America...

the Obama movement is connecting America.
and it has made "US" realize our importance...
the youth is excited and activated...
adults are passionate and motivated...
the elderly are proud to know the country they built is in safe hands...

we are one...

for too long politics has been corrupt...
separate from the American people...
with agendas that go against what the American people "need"...
education...
health...
safety...
jobs
etc...

politicians have spoken a different language...
making it so the youth and poor people feel as if voting was only for the wealthy and old people...
making "US" feel as if "we" had no voice...
making "US" feel powerless...
making it feel like if "we" did vote it wouldn't change anything...

but wait...
that did happen...
some of us voted, and it didn't change anything...

we were in the dark...
we had no voice...
we were powerless...

because America was not a united America...
and "they" spoke a different language...
and they had an agenda different from our well being...

correct me if I'm wrong... or speak up if I'm missing something...

we want education, health, safety, and good jobs...right???...
oh yeah...
and "a healthy planet to live on"...

but here we are...

in a war... poor education... poor health programs... the dollar is down... the planet, polluted...
the rich, richer... and the poor, struggling...
with sky high gas prices to top it all off...

and now even the rich aren't really rich internationally because our dollar is has fallen so far down...

in our slumber... a very small few got really rich...

because when you're sleeping...

"it's hard to change agendas"...

we know what happened in 2000 and 2004...
but in 2008...
it's different...

we are awake...
and there is a movement...

and "it's hard to change a movement"...

last time "we" didn't have a movement...
America wasn't united...

and now "United and "Standing"...for something...
we know the power of "US"...
and we have a person who represents the "U.S."...

"US"...

"we are the ones we've been waiting for"...

I'm proud to be an American..."

will.i.am

Added: February 29, 2008
Category: News & Politics

Subject: RE: Yes We Can video & other similar videos
From: Azizi
Date: 29 Feb 08 - 12:49 PM

Correction:

Those words were will.i.am's statement about the video, and not the the words/lyrics spoken by various individuals in the video.

Subject: RE: Yes We Can video & other similar videos
From: Azizi
Date: 03 Mar 08 - 06:46 PM

Here's another music/political video promoting Senator Barack Obama's candidacy for President of the United States:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHIx-Lx4LD8

"A Barack Obama theme song written by Todd Young, performed by Todd Young and His Rock Band.
Video was put together in collaboration by Pete Wilder and Amy Ignatow.
Todd Young and His Rock Band are Todd Young (lead vox/guitar), Mark Wolfe (bass), Alec Meltzer (drums), Amy Ignatow (backing vox/glockenspiel), Monique Powell (backing vox/tambourine), Melissa Santangelo (backing vox/guitar)."
Added: March 03, 2008

-snip-

The background music of this video has a jazzy feel to it.

This video was produced independent of the official Obama for President campaign.

Subject: RE: Yes We Can video & other similar videos
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 03 Mar 08 - 06:56 PM

Here's a rather jolly one from Canada - YouTube- Canada Loves Obama

Subject: RE: Yes We Can video & other similar videos
From: Azizi
Date: 03 Mar 08 - 07:40 PM

Thanks McGrath. I like that video, but I love that ending song.

Who was that singing? Was it Nina Simone? And what's the name of that song {meaning the song snippet at the end of that video}?

Subject: RE: Yes We Can video & other similar videos
From: Azizi
Date: 01 Apr 08 - 11:28 PM

Here's a cute music/political video that I just found out about:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iA_oPtsX2ew

We Got The Mo, by The Rockabelles, for Barack Obama

"Song and video written for Barack Obama, performed by The Rockabelles. (See www.rockabelles.com.) This one's for you, Mr. Obama!

Three kids sing a song about the Democratic candidate and his message of HOPE and CHANGE, in a campaign that is gaining Momentum with each new day."...

Subject: RE: Yes We Can video & other similar videos
From: Azizi
Date: 08 Apr 08 - 11:43 PM

Here's another music/political video for your listening pleasure. This video is NOT like will. i. am's Yes We Can video. But several other music/political videos I've posted as examples in this thread also are not like that ground breaking video. The ties that binds all of the videos in this thread together are that they are music/political videos and they promote the candidacy of Senator Barack Obama.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=QMokHZ_35qY
Obama Everywhere in Pennsylvania (band version)

"Earl Pickens and the Band Named Thunder (& friends) (& pets)come out swingin' and singin' for the things Obama's bringin'."

**

There is also a YouTube video of this song with Earl Pickins singing by himself.

**

At one point in this rockin' country-western song that lists the names of Pennsylvania's cities and towns, the lead guitarist/singer says "Can we take a guitar solo? Yes we can. Yes we can." Great job!
And as a resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania I'm impressed at the singer's ability to list the names of so many Pennaylvania cities and towns, many of which aren't that easiest to pronounce let along sing.

Subject: RE: Yes We Can video & other similar videos
From: katlaughing
Date: 09 Apr 08 - 12:06 AM

Damn! That guy is goooood! What a great rockin' version of that song.

Subject: RE: Yes We Can video & other similar videos
From: Azizi
Date: 09 Apr 08 - 12:12 AM

katlaughing, is this song a parody of another song? And if so, which song is that?

Subject: RE: Yes We Can video & other similar videos
From: Azizi
Date: 09 Apr 08 - 12:38 AM

I found the answer to my question from the same source that I learned about this song {a dailykos dairy}.

Here's the information in case anyone else reading this didn't know it:

"The song "I've Been Everywhere" was written by Geoff Mack in 1959 and made popular by the singer Lucky Starr in 1962.

It listed Australian towns. It was later adapted for North American (primarily United States) place names and by John Hore (later known as John Grenell) with New Zealand place names (1966).

The song was a number 1 hit in Country Music in November 1962 in the United States for the recording artist Hank Snow...

The song was also recorded by : Lynn Anderson (USA 1970); Asleep
Original singer Lucky Starr released an EP called "Lucky's Been Everywhere," which contained 4 different versions: Great Britain, U.S.A., New Zealand, and Australia (Festival Records FX-10.485 (Australia))."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I've_Been_Everywhere

Subject: RE: Yes We Can video & other similar videos
From: Azizi
Date: 09 Apr 08 - 08:14 AM

In case people here want to read it, here's the link to the dailykos dairy about the song Obama Everywhere:

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/4/8/19420/85343/832/492407


**
Btw: I misquoted that one line from that song. The singer said "Yes we can take a guitar solo. Yes we can"

That hit my tickle button.

Subject: RE: Yes We Can video & other similar videos
From: Azizi
Date: 09 Apr 08 - 09:18 AM

Okay, so I re-read this thread, and all the video links posted here aren't about Obama- for instance there's that one about Senator John McCain. But that video isn't really supporting McCain, so....

**

I don't think I've posted a link yet for this wonderful mariachi video supporting Barack Obama:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fd-MVU4vtU
VIVA OBAMA 2008

Featuring: Mariachi Aguilas de Mexico

English Translation:
To the candidate who is Barack Obama
I sing this corrido with all my soul
He was born humble without pretension
He began in the streets of Chicago
Working to achieve a vision
To protect the working people
And bring us all together in this great nation

Viva Obama! Viva Obama!
Families united and safe and even with a health care plan
Viva Obama! Viva Obama!

A candidate fighting for our nation
It doesn't matter if you're from San Antonio
It doesn't matter if you're from Corpus Christi
From Dallas, from the Valley, from Houston or from El Paso
What matters is that we vote for Obama
Because his struggle is also our struggle, and today we urgently need a change
Let's unite with our great friend

Viva Obama! Viva Obama!
Families united and safe and even with a health care plan
Viva Obama! Viva Obama!
A candidate fighting for our nation

Subject: RE: Yes We Can video & other similar videos
From: Azizi
Date: 09 Apr 08 - 09:28 AM

Here's a link to a Rock music/political video supporting Obama:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgkrX-NSt6Q

Jay Jay French and Friends - I Want Barack

Subject: RE: Yes We Can video & other similar videos
From: Azizi
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 05:54 PM

Here's a link to one of several popular "brush the dirt off your shoulders" YouTube videos that have been produced as a result of Barack Obama using that gesture during a speech in Raleigh, North Carolina the day after the infamous ABC televison tabloid debate {April 16, 2008}

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZJex9Ge2-Q
Obama Brushes the Dirt Off
ninja5py; added to YouTube on 4/17/2008


These "Obama Brushes The Dirt Off"videos combine a portion of rapper Jay-Z's hit recording "Dirt Off Your Shoulders" with the portion of Obama's Raleigh, North Carolina speech where he demonstrates that gesture.

During that speech, Senator Obama responds to a audience member who wonders how he feels about the gotcha questions that were the focus of at least 45 minutes of that televised debate. Obama says that Hillary Clinton and others are using old school politics, and that was not going to bother him from his efforts to focus attention on the issues that are important to Americans. Obama then illustrates what you have to do when people come after you. At this point Obama brushes off left shoulder and then brushes off his right shoulder.

"Brushing dirt off your shoulder" is an African American non-verbal street gesture that demonstrates the gesturers disregard for the words or actions of his or her opponents. This gesture was popularized by the 2003 hit song "Dirt Off Your Shoulder" by rapper Jay-Z. "Brushing dirt off your shoulder" signals that you believe that what your enemies says or does, and your enemies themselves are of little importance to you. Indeed, your enemies are of so little concern to you that they can be brushed off your shoulders with the same minimum amount of effort that you would use to brush off a piece of lint or dirt.

During that same speech in Raleigh, North Carolina after that infamous ABC television debate, Obama took the "brush dirt off your shoulders" gesture up another notch by also pretending to look at his shoes, and shaking them to imply that he has stepped in poop. He also brushed off his body, further emphasizing the point that he can brush off his opponents words & actions, and they will not cause him to blow his cool and lose sight of his ultimate goals.

"Brushing dirt off your shoulders" means that what your adversary is comin' at you with is unimportant because you "got yourself together" and they will not make you lose your cool or throw you off-stride. As such "brushing dirt off your shoulders" is both an expression of the gesturers' supreme confidence, as well as a major putdown of that person's adversaries.

"Blogger Spencer Ackerman, who regularly mixes political analysis with hip hop references, immediately heralded the move as "perhaps the coolest subliminal cultural reference in the history of American politics." *

*This quote is lifted from "Obama 'Brushing 'Em Off' Creates Online Wave [video]", http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/4/18/143821/284/886/498463 ; The source for Spencer Ackerman's quote is http://thinkprogress.org/attackerman/2008/04/17/you-gotta-get-get-that-that-dirt-off-your-shoulder/

Subject: RE: Yes We Can video & other similar videos
From: Azizi
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 06:49 PM

Here's an insightful comment from that dailykos diary about Obama making that brush the dirt off your shoulders gesture:

"He's signifyin'.

I think this is what resonates with young voters, because that ability to make wry, indirect, playful references to popular culture is something that many in the last couple of generations have grown up with, and see as a regular part of their culture.

Signifyin', too, is different from "dog whistle" politics: if Bush "sends a signal" by dropping references to "Dred Scott" in his speeches, or "wonder-working power," these references are invariably clumsily telegraphed, delivered in dead earnest -- a giant, ham-fisted wink to evangelical listeners who are supposed to respond to these references as if they've been activated or stood to attention by a code word.

Signifyin', on the other hand, is playful, wry, humorous, is meant to link the listener to a much more open-ended range of cultural references. Because "brush that dirt off your shoulder" isn't the same as dog whistle, which links to a single isolated idea (Rapture!) from a single isolated book (Bible!), or a single message of bigotry (special interests!); "brush that dirt" opens on to a whole terrain of hip hop culture, along with that culture's longer, open-ended links to other traditions in infinite directions.

This is the brilliance of Obama. He's not only testifyin', he's signifyin'."

-Dale on Fri Apr 18, 2008

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/4/18/143821/284/886/498463

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Click here for the wikipedia article that provides some information about the art & skill of "signifyin."