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Every four years, thousands of people flock to Washington for a flurry of balls and concerts on inauguration day. But as the coronavirus pandemic continues to force most high-profile national events to scale back, President Joe Biden’s inaugural committee has decided to bring the festivities to television screens.
“Celebrating America,” a 90-minute multi-network TV special Wednesday night, brought together a mix of top talent – Justin Timberlake, John Legend, Demi Lovato – and average Americans from all walks of life, including teachers. and nurses on the front line of the Covid-19 crisis.
The special, which moved quickly (more or less) between live performances and recorded video segments, was as much a celebration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’ rise to the White House as a reflection of the new political personality of the president.
The musical selections frequently returned to themes of hope in the face of darkness and better days to come. Echoing Biden’s rhetoric of the pandemic, many featured songs highlighted the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel.
“It’s times like these that you learn to love again,” sang Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, later adding, “I’m a new day dawning.” The Broadway stars joined by videoconference for a performance of “Let the Sunshine In” from the musical “Hair”. Jon Bon Jovi covered “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles.
Biden’s personal touch was particularly evident in a brief segment midway through the event: “Hamilton” maestro Lin-Manuel Miranda recited “The Cure at Troy” by Biden’s favorite Irish poet, Seamus Heaney.
The entertainment show was crowned with a spectacular fireworks display that lit up the nation’s capital. Here’s a look at other key moments:
Springsteen sings in front of the Lincoln Memorial
Bruce Springsteen kicked off the special with a moving rendition of “Land of Hope and Dreams”, a song imbued with equal parts melancholy and optimism.
“Leave your sorrows behind / May this be the last day / Tomorrow there will be sunshine / And all this darkness past,” Springsteen sang, strumming on his guitar and standing alone in front of the Lincoln Memorial. The lyrics were an appropriate thematic setup for the night.
Springsteen, who publicly backed Biden’s presidential candidacy, narrated and provided the soundtrack for a 60-second campaign ad titled “Hometown,” which featured Biden, Pennsylvania native Scranton. The ad featured the song “My Hometown” from her album “Born in the USA”
“Land of Hope and Dreams”, written in 1999, has already been used in other political contexts. John Kerry used the song as an introductory music during his 2004 presidential campaign. President Barack Obama performed the song after his farewell speech in 2017.
Tom Hanks talks about intense national divisions
Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks hosted the special, presenting guests and segments in no-frills style. However, he officially started the evening with some serious thoughts on social friction in the United States.
“In recent weeks and years we have witnessed deep divisions and a disturbing grudge in our country,” Hanks said, referring to the violence on the U.S. Capitol and, presumably, the Trump era in his speech. together. “But tonight we are meditating on the United States of America.
“The practice of our democracy, the foundations of our republic, the integrity of our Constitution, the hopes and dreams we all share for a more perfect union,” added Hanks.
Hanks and his wife, actor Rita Wilson, were the first major Hollywood celebrities to report that they tested positive for Covid-19 in March.
Teenager who spoke to DNC reads part of JFK’s speech
Brayden Harrington, the 13-year-old boy who on the last night of the Democratic National Convention recounted how Biden helped him stutter, appeared in a video segment and read an excerpt from President John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address .
Brayden, wearing a gingham bow tie and dark suit jacket, was widely celebrated on Twitter, where political commentators praised him for his coolness and courage.
Biden, who has struggled with his stuttering for many years, met Brayden in New Hampshire last year. He appeared during the DNC and urged viewers to vote for Biden – even though he is not old enough to register to vote.
Three former presidents meet
Obama, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush appeared in a recorded video to extol the virtues of American democracy and the peaceful transition of presidential power.
“The fact that the three of us are here talking about a peaceful transfer of power is a testament to the institutional integrity of our country,” said Bush, implicitly nodding at Donald Trump’s refusal to concede the election and the riot at the Capitol he helped inspire. .
Clinton called on people of all ideological tendencies to come together in a spirit of cooperation: “This is a new beginning. Everyone should get off their horses and reach out to their friends and neighbors and try to make it right. possible.”
Obama offered a personal message to his former vice president: “Joe, I’m proud of you.”
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