So today’s the big one: Inauguration Day. And while I haven’t purchased any Barack Obama commemorative plates or coins (sorry, Montel!), I’d have my credit card out in a flash if there was a ShamWow with the face of our 44th president on it.
Who could resist the combination of ShamWow pitchman Vince and the call of civic duty to help clean up America? (That’s what we’re all hoping, right—that Obama has some magical way to soak up the mess made by the economic iceberg we’ve hit?)
One guy who’s enjoyed something of a cottage industry during this moment in our nation’s history is will.i.am. Looking back, every major milestone, from the results of the Democratic primary in New Hampshire to the election, has been musically marked by the Black-Eyed-Peaser. Yesterday, in time for the inauguration, he premiered “America’s Song” on Oprah.
But before we get to that, I figured a walk down recent-memory lane was in order.
Here’s “Yes We Can,” based on the stirring speech Obama gave upon losing the New Hampshire primary:
“We Are The Ones,” followed shortly afterward, based on a crowd-chant from an Obama rally:
After Election Day came “It’s A New Day,” which will.i.am. premiered on Oprah (the first of these tracks to be made commercially available):
“America’s Song,” the newly minted addition to the Obama Collection from will.i.am, is an all-star affair featuring Faith Hill, Seal, Mary J. Blige, and Bono. With super-producer (and occasional shlockmeister) David Foster involved this time, it’s a much more grandiose affair, but the song’s sentiment is genuine:
“America’s Song” is available as a free download from Oprah.com, but only through 5:00 pm EST today.