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{{About|the will.i.am song|other uses|Yes We Can (disambiguation)}}
{{About|the will.i.am song|other uses|Yes We Can (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox song
{{Infobox song
⚫
| name = Yes We Can
⚫
| Type = [[Promotional recording|Promotional single]]
| Name = Yes We Can
| cover = Yes We Can.jpg
| Cover = Yes We Can.jpg
| alt =
⚫
| type = [[Promotional recording|Promotional single]]
| Artist = [[will.i.am]] featuring various artists
| artist = [[will.i.am]] featuring various artists
⚫
| Album =
| album =
| Released = February 2, 2008
| Recorded = Ethernet and Record Plant, [[Los Angeles]], January 31, 2008
| released = February 2, 2008
| format =
| recorded = Ethernet and Record Plant, [[Los Angeles]], January 31, 2008
| studio =
⚫
| Writer = {{hlist|will.i.am|[[Barack Obama]]|[[Jon Favreau (speechwriter)|Jon Favreau]]|[[George Pajon]] Jr.}}
| venue =
⚫
| Label = [[will.i.am Music Group|will.i.am]]
| Length = 4:05
| genre =
| length = 4:05
⚫
| Producer = {{hlist|will.i.am|Mike Jurkovac|Dylan "3-D" Dresdow <small>(mixed by)</small>}}
⚫
| label = [[will.i.am Music Group|will.i.am]]
⚫
| Misc =
⚫
| writer = {{hlist|will.i.am|[[Barack Obama]]|[[Jon Favreau (speechwriter)|Jon Favreau]]|[[George Pajon]] Jr.}}
⚫
| producer = {{hlist|will.i.am|Mike Jurkovac|Dylan "3-D" Dresdow <small>(mixed by)</small>}}
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|2fZHou18Cdk|"Yes We Can"}}}}
}}
}}
"'''Yes We Can'''" is a song produced by [[The Black Eyed Peas]] frontman [[will.i.am]], released as promotional single on February 2, 2008.
"'''Yes We Can'''" is a song produced by [[The Black Eyed Peas]] frontman [[will.i.am]], released as promotional single on February 2, 2008.


==Production==
==Production==
Although the lyrics are entirely quotations from [[s:Remarks of Senator Barack Obama on New Hampshire Primary Night|Obama's concession speech]] in the [[New Hampshire]] presidential primary,<ref name="Inspiration vs. Substance - TIME">{{cite news| url=http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1710721,00.html | work=Time | title=Inspiration vs. Substance | date=February 7, 2008 | first=Joe | last=Klein}}</ref> the [[Barack Obama presidential campaign, 2008|Obama campaign]] had no involvement in its production.<ref>Huffington Post (2008). [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ari-melber/obamas-starstudded-yout_b_84589.html Obama's Star-Studded YouTube Music Video]. Retrieved February 11, 2008.</ref> The [[viral video|viral]] [[music video]], shot in a sparse black-and-white, features Obama's image in collage fashion; the performers, among them celebrities including musicians, singers and actors, echo his words in a [[hip-hop]], [[call-and-response]] manner as his voice plays in the background. The song was produced by will.i.am, mixed by Dylan "3-D" Dresdow, and the music video was directed by [[Jesse Dylan]], the son of singer [[Bob Dylan]].<ref name=ABC>ABC News (2008). [http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=4231523 New Celeb-Filled Music Video for Obama]. Retrieved February 3, 2008.</ref>
Although the lyrics are entirely quotations from [[s:Remarks of Senator Barack Obama on New Hampshire Primary Night|Obama's concession speech]] in the [[New Hampshire]] presidential primary,<ref name="Inspiration vs. Substance - TIME">{{cite magazine| url=http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1710721,00.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080209100952/http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1710721,00.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=February 9, 2008 | magazine=Time | title=Inspiration vs. Substance | date=February 7, 2008 | first=Joe | last=Klein}}</ref> the [[Barack Obama 2008 presidential campaign|Obama campaign]] had no involvement in its production.<ref>Huffington Post (2008). [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ari-melber/obamas-starstudded-yout_b_84589.html Obama's Star-Studded YouTube Music Video]. Retrieved February 11, 2008.</ref> The speech was written by then-Obama speechwriter [[Jon Favreau (speechwriter) | Jon Favreau]].<ref>{{cite podcast| url=https://open.spotify.com/episode/4Mh7Q8nGWgOjZ6ox9HrPsc?si=195b4b9055b44f00| title=“Tuck Around and Find Out.”| publisher=Pod Save America| date=2023-03-09| time=24:50| access-date=2023-03-09}}</ref> The [[viral video|viral]] [[music video]], shot in a sparse black-and-white, features Obama's image in collage fashion; the performers, among them celebrities including musicians, singers and actors, echo his words in a [[hip-hop]], [[call-and-response]] manner as his voice plays in the background. The song was produced by will.i.am, mixed by Dylan "3-D" Dresdow, and the music video was directed by [[Jesse Dylan]], the son of singer [[Bob Dylan]].<ref name=ABC>ABC News (2008). [http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=4231523 New Celeb-Filled Music Video for Obama]. Retrieved February 3, 2008.</ref>


==Release==
==Release==
[[File:will.i.am DNC 2008.jpg|thumb|[[will.i.am]] performs "Yes We Can" during the final day of the [[2008 Democratic National Convention]] in [[Denver, Colorado|Denver]], [[Colorado]].]] Since the original posting on [[YouTube]], the video has been re-posted a number of times by other users and as of February 23, 2008, the video had been watched a combined total of more than 22 million times among all of the postings.<ref>Wallsten, Kevin (2010). [http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19331681003749030 “Yes We Can”: How Online Viewership, Blog Discussion, Campaign Statements, and Mainstream Media Coverage Produced a Viral Video Phenomenon], [[Journal of Information Technology and Politics]].</ref> It had also been viewed more than 4 million times on [[Dipdive]], for a combined web total of more than 26 million viewings. By July 22, 2008, the video had been watched over 21 million times on YouTube and other sites.<ref name="nyt0327">{{cite news |first=Brian |last=Stelter |authorlink=Brian Stelter |title=Finding Political News Online, the Young Pass It On |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/27/us/politics/27voters.html?_r=2&hp=&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1206666163-YpoMNe/u2DIXJ6Q+JgPlLQ |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=2008-03-27 |accessdate=2008-03-28 }}</ref> The video also won will.i.am a [[Webby Award]] for "Artist of the Year".<ref>{{cite web|last=Greene|first=Brittany|title=Will.i.am Wins a Webby|url=http://www.vibe.com/news/news_headlines/2008/05/will_wins_webby/|work=VIBE.com|date=2008-05-06|accessdate=2008-05-06}}</ref> It was criticized, however, by conservative commentators for being over-the-top and worshipful.<ref>{{cite news |first=James |last=Taranto |authorlink=James Taranto |title=Obama, a Love Story |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB120240722108951205 |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |date=2008-02-07 |accessdate=2008-08-02 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Joel |last=Stein |authorlink=Joel Stein |title=He's got Obamaphilia |url=http://www.latimes.com/news/opinionis/la-oe-stein8feb08,0,3418234.column |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=2008-02-08 |accessdate=2008-08-02 }} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> [[John Legend]] and will.i.am performed the song on the final day of the [[2008 Democratic National Convention]] at [[INVESCO Field]], [[Denver, Colorado]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/08/william-from-on.html |title=Will.I.Am: From Online Video To Convention Floor |accessdate=2008-08-29 |last=Stirland |first=Sarah Lai |date=2008-08-28 |work= |publisher=[[Wired.com]]}}</ref>
[[File:will.i.am DNC 2008.jpg|thumb|[[will.i.am]] performs "Yes We Can" during the final day of the [[2008 Democratic National Convention]] in [[Denver, Colorado|Denver]], [[Colorado]].]] Since the original posting on [[YouTube]], the video has been re-posted a number of times by other users and as of February 23, 2008, the video had been watched a combined total of more than 22 million times among all of the postings.<ref>Wallsten, Kevin (2010). [http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19331681003749030 “Yes We Can”: How Online Viewership, Blog Discussion, Campaign Statements, and Mainstream Media Coverage Produced a Viral Video Phenomenon], [[Journal of Information Technology and Politics]].</ref> It had also been viewed more than 4 million times on [[Dipdive]], for a combined web total of more than 26 million viewings. By July 22, 2008, the video had been watched over 21 million times on YouTube and other sites.<ref name="nyt0327">{{cite news |first=Brian |last=Stelter |author-link=Brian Stelter |title=Finding Political News Online, the Young Pass It On |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/27/us/politics/27voters.html?_r=2&hp=&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1206666163-YpoMNe/u2DIXJ6Q+JgPlLQ |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=2008-03-27 |access-date=2008-03-28 }}</ref> The video also won will.i.am a [[Webby Award]] for "Artist of the Year".<ref>{{cite web|last=Greene|first=Brittany|title=Will.i.am Wins a Webby|url=http://www.vibe.com/news/news_headlines/2008/05/will_wins_webby/|work=VIBE.com|date=2008-05-06|access-date=2008-05-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513154031/http://www.vibe.com/news/news_headlines/2008/05/will_wins_webby/|archive-date=2008-05-13|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was criticized, however, by conservative commentators for being over-the-top and worshipful.<ref>{{cite news |first=James |last=Taranto |author-link=James Taranto |title=Obama, a Love Story |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB120240722108951205 |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |date=2008-02-07 |access-date=2008-08-02 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Joel |last=Stein |author-link=Joel Stein |title=He's got Obamaphilia |url=http://www.latimes.com/news/opinionis/la-oe-stein8feb08,0,3418234.column |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=2008-02-08 |access-date=2008-08-02 }} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> [[John Legend]] and will.i.am performed the song on the final day of the [[2008 Democratic National Convention]] at [[INVESCO Field]], [[Denver, Colorado]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/08/william-from-on.html |title=Will.I.Am: From Online Video To Convention Floor |magazine=Wired |access-date=2008-08-29 |last=Stirland |first=Sarah Lai |date=2008-08-28 }}</ref>


==Music video==
==Music video==
The music video was released on [[Dipdive.com]] and also on [[YouTube]].com under the username 'WeCan08'.<ref>YouTube (2008). {{YouTube|jjXyqcx-mYY|Yes We Can - Barack Obama Music Video}}. Retrieved February 3, 2008.</ref> It was honored with the first-ever [[Emmy]] Award for Best New Approaches in Daytime Entertainment.<ref>Video Awarded Emmy(R) for New Approaches in Daytime Entertainment. [https://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS145884+16-Jun-2008+MW20080616 Emmy for 'Yes We Can' Song]. Retrieved February 3, 2008.</ref> The video is a [[collage]]-style [[music video]] inspired by [[Barack Obama]]'s popularization of the slogan "Yes we can.", which became a secondary slogan for [[Barack Obama presidential campaign, 2008|his campaign]]. During the [[United States presidential election, 2008|2008 US presidential campaign]] following the [[New Hampshire]] [[Democratic Primary]], then-[[United States Senate|Senator]] (now [[President of the United States|President]]) [[Barack Obama]], used the similar [[English language|English]] translation of the slogan of [[United Farm Workers]] (UFW) – "[[Sí se puede|Sí, se puede]]" ([[Spanish language|Spanish]] for "Yes, you can" or "Yes, it can be done") in his speech. The slogan dates back to 1972 when [[Cesar Chavez]] and the UFW's co-founder, [[Dolores Huerta]], came up with the slogan during Chavez's 24-day fast in [[Phoenix, Arizona]].<ref name="Rodriguez">{{cite web
The music video was released on [[Dipdive.com]] and also on [[YouTube]].com under the username 'WeCan08'.<ref>YouTube (2008). {{YouTube|jjXyqcx-mYY|Yes We Can - Barack Obama Music Video}}. Retrieved February 3, 2008.</ref> It was honored with the first-ever [[Emmy]] Award for Best New Approaches in Daytime Entertainment.<ref>Video Awarded Emmy(R) for New Approaches in Daytime Entertainment. [https://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS145884+16-Jun-2008+MW20080616 Emmy for 'Yes We Can' Song] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216145227/http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS145884+16-Jun-2008+MW20080616 |date=2008-12-16 }}. Retrieved February 3, 2008.</ref> The video is a [[collage]]-style [[music video]] inspired by [[Barack Obama]]'s popularization of the slogan "Yes we can", which became a secondary slogan for [[Barack Obama 2008 presidential campaign|his campaign]]. During the [[2008 United States presidential election|2008 US presidential campaign]] following the [[New Hampshire]] [[Democratic Primary]], then-[[United States Senate|Senator]] [[Barack Obama]], used the similar [[English language|English]] translation of the slogan of [[United Farm Workers]] (UFW) – "[[Sí se puede|Sí, se puede]]" ([[Spanish language|Spanish]] for "Yes, you can" or "Yes, it can be done") in his speech. The slogan dates back to 1972 when [[Cesar Chavez]] and the UFW's co-founder, [[Dolores Huerta]], came up with the slogan during Chavez's 24-day fast in [[Phoenix, Arizona]].<ref name="Rodriguez">{{cite press release
| url = http://www.ufw.org/_board.php?mode=view&b_code=news_press&b_no=185&page=16&field=&key=&n=53
|url = http://www.ufw.org/_board.php?mode=view&b_code=news_press&b_no=185&page=16&field=&key=&n=53
| title = Statement from Arturo S. Rodriguez, President, United Farm Workers of America, Celebrating Cesar Chavez's Birthday 3/31/98-La Paz, Keene, Calif.
|title = Statement from Arturo S. Rodriguez, President, United Farm Workers of America, Celebrating Cesar Chavez's Birthday 3/31/98-La Paz, Keene, Calif.
|access-date = December 9, 2006
| accessdate = 2006-12-09
| author = Arturo S. Rodriguez
|first = Arturo S.
⚫
|last = Rodriguez
| date = 1998-03-31
|date = March 31, 1998
| work = Press Releases
| publisher = [[United Farm Workers]]
|publisher = [[United Farm Workers]]
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110612031410/http://www.ufw.org/_board.php?mode=view&b_code=news_press&b_no=185&page=16&field=&key=&n=53
⚫
}}
|archive-date = June 12, 2011
⚫
</ref> The music video premiered on television on [[ABC News Now]]'s ''What's the Buzz'' entertainment program on February 1, 2008.<ref name=ABC/> On February 2, 2008, it was featured on the Obama campaign's community blog,<ref>Obama for America (2008). [http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/samgrahamfelsen/CGBMy The 'Yes We Can' Song]. Retrieved February 3, 2008.</ref> and later promoted as a viral video by the campaign on its website.<ref>Obama for America (2008). [http://my.barackobama.com/page/invite/yeswecanvideo Share this video and invite your friends to join our movement]. Retrieved February 5, 2008.</ref> The clip was played prior to a February 12, 2008, campaign rally of nearly 20,000 at the [[Kohl Center]] on the campus of the [[University of Wisconsin–Madison]]. The video was edited by [[Apartment 26|Terence "Biff" Butler]] of Rock Paper Scissors, and executive producers included will.i.am, Mike Jurkovac, Fred Goldring, Jesse Dylan, Priscilla Cohen and Sheri Howell and Lilo. Associate poducers included Sean Larkin, Sarah Pantera, Carol Cohen, Steve Koskie, Wendi Morris, and Scott Spanjich. The following celebrities were featured in the video:<ref>Dipdive.com (2008). [http://www.dipdive.com/ Credits]. Retrieved February 6, 2008.</ref>
|url-status = dead
⚫
}}</ref> The music video premiered on television on [[ABC News Now]]'s ''What's the Buzz'' on February 1, 2008.<ref name=ABC/> On February 2, 2008, it was featured on the Obama campaign's community blog,<ref>Obama for America (2008). [http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/samgrahamfelsen/CGBMy The 'Yes We Can' Song] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080203190908/http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/samgrahamfelsen/CGBmy |date=2008-02-03 }}. Retrieved February 3, 2008.</ref> and later promoted as a viral video by the campaign on its website.<ref>Obama for America (2008). [http://my.barackobama.com/page/invite/yeswecanvideo Share this video and invite your friends to join our movement] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080210193800/http://my.barackobama.com/page/invite/yeswecanvideo |date=2008-02-10 }}. Retrieved February 5, 2008.</ref> The clip was played prior to a February 12, 2008, campaign rally of nearly 20,000 at the [[Kohl Center]] on the campus of the [[University of Wisconsin–Madison]]. The video was edited by [[Apartment 26|Terence "Biff" Butler]] of Rock Paper Scissors, and executive producers included will.i.am, Mike Jurkovac, Fred Goldring, Jesse Dylan, Priscilla Cohen and Sheri Howell and Lilo. Associate producers included Sean Larkin, Sarah Pantera, Carol Cohen, Steve Koskie, Wendi Morris, and Scott Spanjich. The following celebrities were featured in the video:<ref>Dipdive.com (2008). [http://www.dipdive.com/ Credits] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120808212233/http://dipdive.com/ |date=2012-08-08 }}. Retrieved February 6, 2008.</ref>


{{Col-begin|width=75%}}
{{Col-begin|width=75%}}
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*[[Kate Walsh (actress)|Kate Walsh]] - 0:44
*[[Kate Walsh (actress)|Kate Walsh]] - 0:44
*[[Tatyana Ali]] - 0:44
*[[Tatyana Ali]] - 0:44
*[[Harold Perrineau, Jr.]] - 0:49
*[[Harold Perrineau Jr.]] - 0:49
*[[Aisha Tyler]] - 1:01
*[[Aisha Tyler]] - 1:01
*[[Samuel Page]] - 1:03
*[[Samuel Page]] - 1:03
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===Parodies===
===Parodies===
[[File:DigiGes PRISM01.jpg|thumb|Protesters against the [[National Security Agency|NSA]] surveillance program [[PRISM (surveillance program)|PRISM]].]]
[[File:DigiGes PRISM01.jpg|thumb|Protesters against the [[National Security Agency|NSA]] surveillance program [[PRISM (surveillance program)|PRISM]].]]
The song inspired the spoof songs "john.he.is" and "No You Can't" satirizing the Republican candidate [[John McCain]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Kaufman |first=Gil |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1581403/20080212/id_0.jhtml |title=Obama Video Spawns McCain Spoofs |publisher=Mtv.com |date=2008-02-12 |accessdate=2012-04-08}}</ref> Another parody, created by ''[[Attack of the Show!]]'', replaces Obama with the [[G.I. Joe]] villain [[Cobra Commander]].<ref>{{cite web|author=|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzrd6eVAsjA |title="Yes, We Shall" Music Video - Vote Cobra '08 |publisher=YouTube |date= |accessdate=2012-04-08}}</ref> It inspired yet another parody on "[[Best Week Ever]]," which made fun of [[Lindsay Lohan]] for an online interview in which she both allegedly called the president "colored" and discussed her collection of leggings.<ref>{{cite web|last=Collins |first=Michelle |url=http://www.bestweekever.tv/category/best-week-ever/page/2/ |title="BWE Preview: Lindsay Lohan on Leggings" show clip |publisher=Bestweekever.tv |date= |accessdate=2012-04-08}}</ref> ''[[MADtv]]'' did a parody called "Yes I Can," about how North Korean dictator [[Kim Jong-Il]] (played by [[Bobby Lee]]) has the power to eventually destroy the world.
The song inspired the spoof songs "john.he.is" and "No You Can't" satirizing the Republican candidate [[John McCain]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Kaufman |first=Gil |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1581403/20080212/id_0.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080218192734/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1581403/20080212/id_0.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 18, 2008 |title=Obama Video Spawns McCain Spoofs |website=[[MTV]] |date=February 12, 2008 |access-date=April 8, 2012}}</ref> Another parody, created by ''[[Attack of the Show!]]'', replaces Obama with the [[G.I. Joe]] villain [[Cobra Commander]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzrd6eVAsjA |title="Yes, We Shall" Music Video - Vote Cobra '08 |publisher=YouTube |access-date=2012-04-08}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead Youtube links|date=February 2022}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead Youtube links|date=February 2022}}</ref> It inspired yet another parody on ''[[Best Week Ever]]'', which made fun of [[Lindsay Lohan]] for an online interview in which she both allegedly called Obama "colored" and discussed her collection of leggings.<ref>{{cite web|last=Collins |first=Michelle |url=http://www.bestweekever.tv/category/best-week-ever/page/2/ |title="BWE Preview: Lindsay Lohan on Leggings" show clip |publisher=Bestweekever.tv |access-date=2012-04-08}}</ref> ''[[MADtv]]'' did a parody called "Yes I Can," about how North Korean dictator [[Kim Jong-Il]] (played by [[Bobby Lee]]) has the power to eventually destroy the world.


A parody of the song was made on the July 15, 2009 episode of ''[[The Chaser's War on Everything]]'', in which a song and video was created based on Australian Prime Minister, [[Kevin Rudd]]'s speeches. It also featured celebrity appearances (from the likes of [[Shaun Micallef]], [[Lisa Wilkinson]], [[Stuart MacGill]], [[Tony Martin (comedian)|Tony Martin]], [[Hamish Blake]] and [[Andy Lee (comedian)|Andy Lee]] among others).<ref>{{cite web|title=In Due Season|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tr_iGH75Zec|work=The Chaser's War on Everything|publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]|accessdate=13 June 2010}}</ref> Treventus.com uses the paraphrase "Yes We Scan".
A parody of the song was made on the July 15, 2009 episode of ''[[The Chaser's War on Everything]]'', in which a song and video was created based on Australian Prime Minister [[Kevin Rudd]]'s speeches. It also featured celebrity appearances (from the likes of [[Shaun Micallef]], [[Lisa Wilkinson]], [[Stuart MacGill]], [[Tony Martin (comedian)|Tony Martin]], [[Hamish Blake]] and [[Andy Lee (comedian)|Andy Lee]] among others).<ref>{{cite web|title=In Due Season|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tr_iGH75Zec |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/tr_iGH75Zec |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|work=The Chaser's War on Everything|publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]|access-date=13 June 2010}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

==See also==

* [[It%27s_a_New_Day_(will.i.am_song)|It's a New Day (will.i.am song)]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist|30em}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{wikisource|Remarks of Senator Barack Obama on New Hampshire Primary Night}}
{{wikisource|Remarks of Senator Barack Obama on New Hampshire Primary Night}}
*[http://yeswecan.dipdive.com/ DipDive.com]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20081103111436/http://yeswecan.dipdive.com/ DipDive.com]
*{{YouTube|jjXyqcx-mYY|Yes We Can}}
*{{YouTube|jjXyqcx-mYY|Yes We Can}}
*{{YouTube|IUuy_k_r_NY|(UK version) JSB-Yes We Can}}
*{{YouTube|IUuy_k_r_NY|(UK version) JSB-Yes We Can}}


{{will.i.am}}
{{will.i.am}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Awards for "Yes We Can"
| titlestyle = background: lightblue
| list1 =
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Music Video}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Song}}
⚫
}}
{{Barack Obama}}
{{Barack Obama}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:2008 singles]]
[[Category:2008 singles]]

Latest revision as of 01:34, 13 July 2024

This article is about the will.i.am song. For other uses, see Yes We Can (disambiguation).
"Yes We Can"
Promotional single by will.i.am featuring various artists
ReleasedFebruary 2, 2008
RecordedEthernet and Record Plant, Los Angeles, January 31, 2008
Length4:05
Labelwill.i.am
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • will.i.am
  • Mike Jurkovac
  • Dylan "3-D" Dresdow (mixed by)
Music video
"Yes We Can" on YouTube

"Yes We Can" is a song produced by The Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am, released as promotional single on February 2, 2008.

Production

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Although the lyrics are entirely quotations from Obama's concession speech in the New Hampshire presidential primary,[1] the Obama campaign had no involvement in its production.[2] The speech was written by then-Obama speechwriter Jon Favreau.[3] The viral music video, shot in a sparse black-and-white, features Obama's image in collage fashion; the performers, among them celebrities including musicians, singers and actors, echo his words in a hip-hop, call-and-response manner as his voice plays in the background. The song was produced by will.i.am, mixed by Dylan "3-D" Dresdow, and the music video was directed by Jesse Dylan, the son of singer Bob Dylan.[4]

Release

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will.i.am performs "Yes We Can" during the final day of the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado.

Since the original posting on YouTube, the video has been re-posted a number of times by other users and as of February 23, 2008, the video had been watched a combined total of more than 22 million times among all of the postings.[5] It had also been viewed more than 4 million times on Dipdive, for a combined web total of more than 26 million viewings. By July 22, 2008, the video had been watched over 21 million times on YouTube and other sites.[6] The video also won will.i.am a Webby Award for "Artist of the Year".[7] It was criticized, however, by conservative commentators for being over-the-top and worshipful.[8][9] John Legend and will.i.am performed the song on the final day of the 2008 Democratic National Convention at INVESCO Field, Denver, Colorado.[10]

Music video

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The music video was released on Dipdive.com and also on YouTube.com under the username 'WeCan08'.[11] It was honored with the first-ever Emmy Award for Best New Approaches in Daytime Entertainment.[12] The video is a collage-style music video inspired by Barack Obama's popularization of the slogan "Yes we can", which became a secondary slogan for his campaign. During the 2008 US presidential campaign following the New Hampshire Democratic Primary, then-Senator Barack Obama, used the similar English translation of the slogan of United Farm Workers (UFW) – "Sí, se puede" (Spanish for "Yes, you can" or "Yes, it can be done") in his speech. The slogan dates back to 1972 when Cesar Chavez and the UFW's co-founder, Dolores Huerta, came up with the slogan during Chavez's 24-day fast in Phoenix, Arizona.[13] The music video premiered on television on ABC News Now's What's the Buzz on February 1, 2008.[4] On February 2, 2008, it was featured on the Obama campaign's community blog,[14] and later promoted as a viral video by the campaign on its website.[15] The clip was played prior to a February 12, 2008, campaign rally of nearly 20,000 at the Kohl Center on the campus of the University of Wisconsin–Madison. The video was edited by Terence "Biff" Butler of Rock Paper Scissors, and executive producers included will.i.am, Mike Jurkovac, Fred Goldring, Jesse Dylan, Priscilla Cohen and Sheri Howell and Lilo. Associate producers included Sean Larkin, Sarah Pantera, Carol Cohen, Steve Koskie, Wendi Morris, and Scott Spanjich. The following celebrities were featured in the video:[16]

Parodies

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Protesters against the NSA surveillance program PRISM.

The song inspired the spoof songs "john.he.is" and "No You Can't" satirizing the Republican candidate John McCain.[17] Another parody, created by Attack of the Show!, replaces Obama with the G.I. Joe villain Cobra Commander.[18] It inspired yet another parody on Best Week Ever, which made fun of Lindsay Lohan for an online interview in which she both allegedly called Obama "colored" and discussed her collection of leggings.[19] MADtv did a parody called "Yes I Can," about how North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Il (played by Bobby Lee) has the power to eventually destroy the world.

A parody of the song was made on the July 15, 2009 episode of The Chaser's War on Everything, in which a song and video was created based on Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's speeches. It also featured celebrity appearances (from the likes of Shaun Micallef, Lisa Wilkinson, Stuart MacGill, Tony Martin, Hamish Blake and Andy Lee among others).[20]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Klein, Joe (February 7, 2008). "Inspiration vs. Substance". Time. Archived from the original on February 9, 2008.
  2. ^ Huffington Post (2008). Obama's Star-Studded YouTube Music Video. Retrieved February 11, 2008.
  3. ^ ""Tuck Around and Find Out."" (Podcast). Pod Save America. 2023-03-09. Event occurs at 24:50. Retrieved 2023-03-09.
  4. ^ a b ABC News (2008). New Celeb-Filled Music Video for Obama. Retrieved February 3, 2008.
  5. ^ Wallsten, Kevin (2010). “Yes We Can”: How Online Viewership, Blog Discussion, Campaign Statements, and Mainstream Media Coverage Produced a Viral Video Phenomenon, Journal of Information Technology and Politics.
  6. ^ Stelter, Brian (2008-03-27). "Finding Political News Online, the Young Pass It On". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-03-28.
  7. ^ Greene, Brittany (2008-05-06). "Will.i.am Wins a Webby". VIBE.com. Archived from the original on 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2008-05-06.
  8. ^ Taranto, James (2008-02-07). "Obama, a Love Story". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  9. ^ Stein, Joel (2008-02-08). "He's got Obamaphilia". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2008-08-02. [dead link]
  10. ^ Stirland, Sarah Lai (2008-08-28). "Will.I.Am: From Online Video To Convention Floor". Wired. Retrieved 2008-08-29.
  11. ^ YouTube (2008). Yes We Can - Barack Obama Music Video on YouTube. Retrieved February 3, 2008.
  12. ^ Video Awarded Emmy(R) for New Approaches in Daytime Entertainment. Emmy for 'Yes We Can' Song Archived 2008-12-16 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 3, 2008.
  13. ^ Rodriguez, Arturo S. (March 31, 1998). "Statement from Arturo S. Rodriguez, President, United Farm Workers of America, Celebrating Cesar Chavez's Birthday 3/31/98-La Paz, Keene, Calif" (Press release). United Farm Workers. Archived from the original on June 12, 2011. Retrieved December 9, 2006.
  14. ^ Obama for America (2008). The 'Yes We Can' Song Archived 2008-02-03 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 3, 2008.
  15. ^ Obama for America (2008). Share this video and invite your friends to join our movement Archived 2008-02-10 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 5, 2008.
  16. ^ Dipdive.com (2008). Credits Archived 2012-08-08 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 6, 2008.
  17. ^ Kaufman, Gil (February 12, 2008). "Obama Video Spawns McCain Spoofs". MTV. Archived from the original on February 18, 2008. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
  18. ^ ""Yes, We Shall" Music Video - Vote Cobra '08". YouTube. Retrieved 2012-04-08.[dead YouTube link][dead YouTube link]
  19. ^ Collins, Michelle. ""BWE Preview: Lindsay Lohan on Leggings" show clip". Bestweekever.tv. Retrieved 2012-04-08.
  20. ^ "In Due Season". The Chaser's War on Everything. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
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