Several big names have united for a cover of the iconic U2 hit Beautiful Day.
Part of a graduation address to the class of 2020, the Dear class of 2020 speech was broadcast on YouTube and featured inspirational messages from Barack and Michelle Obama, Beyonce and Lady Gaga. Along with Bono – for what line-up would be complete without the U2 frontman?
Popping on camera to introduce a cover of the band’s hit Beautiful Day, Bono spoke of the American dream and how song ties into that.
“As an Irishman, I’ve always believed America is not just a country but an idea and a dream that belongs to the whole world. I know in recent times the world has been reminded that America is an idea that doesn’t even belong to a lot of Americans. For many Black Americans, Lady Liberty’s torch is far from a beacon of hope — it’s often a flashlight in the face.”
He went on to describe the day that U2 recorded Beautiful Day, adding that contrary to popular belief (though in typical Irish fashion), the weather was in fact gloomy and overcast.
“There were storm clouds over Dublin when U2 recorded Beautiful Day, things were not as they might have been. But the song was not a description of where we were at, it was a prayer for where we could go, and a dream – like America is a dream – of where we might be.
We now know that America is a song yet to be written… that America might be the greatest song the world has never heard. It’s a wild thought, that America is yet to exist. And even wilder that the Class of 2020 may be the very people to bring it into being.”
Encouraging graduates to use their vote to “vault the barricades of bigotry” and dismantle institutions that uphold that bigotry, Bono finished by saying that the day we all enter a free America will be a Beautiful Day.
Introducing a remix of the song put together by Finneas O’Connell, Bono’s own vocals don’t feature but rather those of some of the world’s top artists and musicians – including the likes of Coldplay’s Chris Martin, Leon Bridges, Noah Cyrus, Camila Cabello and Ben Platt.
And well, it’s interesting, to say the least. Maybe this is controversial… but I think I prefer the original? There, I said it.
Have a listen below and weigh in on the debate.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhNkdCYGEYA&feature=emb_logo
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