Campaign Song: People Hold On
It’s all in the lyricsby j. brotherlove
Melissa posted an open letter to King Britt thanking him for his music and upcoming gig spinning for Barack Obama’s Philadelphia Kickoff. It got me thinking of how great it would be if at least one of the 2008 presidential candidates chose a campaign song that doesn’t suck.
“People Hold On”, the Coldcut club classic that helped launch Lisa Stansfield would be a great choice. The lyrics are perfect and it would get a younger crowd into the mood.
Furthermore, the music could be adapted for different audiences. Here’s a video of German hipsters Re:Jazz giving the song the jazz treatment and promoting their Expansion CD.
Expansion includes jazzy renditions of Herbie Hancock’s “Rock It” and classic house favorite “Promised Land”, as well as a cover of “Gabrielle” originally recorded by Roy Davis, Jr. and Peven Everett. Vocals on the Re:Jazz version are handled by the always tight Alice Russell (who tore up Apache Cafe this past weekend).
But back to “People Hold On”:
Everybody’s looking for a meaning
Everybody’s doing their own thing
And nobody’s solving the problem
Ain’t nobody helping each otherSome people give into fear
Some people give into hunger
Some of us live for the future
And some of us wonderGivin’ into life, givin’ into love
Maybe there’s enough for everyone
Givin’ into hope, and into trust
Maybe there’s enough for everyonePeople hold on
Don’t do yourself wrong
People hold on
We’ve got to be strong
People hold on“People Hold On” - Coldcut
Gotta love those lyrics. Any other suggestions for kick-ass campaign songs that don’t suck?
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I love this track. I would absolutely kill to find the neo-soul version of the track. The fact that King Britt is spinning at the kickoff makes me wonder if I should get tickets to fly up to Philly.
I’d forgotten about the Stansfield version. Kooky since I just about wore out the Affection cassette back in the day. You’re right, this would make a fantastic campaign song. Which of course means no one would ever use it. Hmm? Me cynical? Nah!
I love this track it’s really groovy. I’m a copy editor from Illinois and can’t seem to come to grips with my sexual preference. I’m very angry by nature and this seems to scare of any potential suitors. Please help!
have you seen that Hilary is letting people vote on her campaign song? I’m not familiar with all the songs but I think the Dixie Chicks song is completely inappropriate and wrong (and I love the Dixie Chicks. What were her people thinking??
Im not familiar with your choice, but its better than Hillarys choice of Celine Dion’s “You and I”
L
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