Katy Perry – Rise (photo from her website: www.katyperry.com)
By Marty Rosenbaum and Marni Zipper, Radio.com | Numerous artists took part in celebrating the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Whether it was done in person or virtually, Inauguration Day was filled with music from some of the nation’s finest performers.
Many artists took to social media to share their thoughts on the day, but artists like Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, and Garth Brooks had a front row seat at the festivities. There was also the “Celebrating America” primetime special, which saw performances from the likes of Foo Fighters, Justin Timberlake, John Legend, and more.
From performances celebrating the inauguration of President Biden and Vice President Harris, to artists taking part in the official ceremony, here’s some of our favorite music moments from Inauguration Day.
Lady Gaga:
Lady Gaga delivered a stirring rendition of the National Anthem as the inauguration ceremony got underway. Gaga gave an especially powerful moment as she turned and gestured toward the Capitol’s flags when she sang “gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.”
Jennifer Lopez:
Jennifer Lopez performed a medley of patriotic songs including “This Land is Your Land” and “America the Beautiful.” Lopez then recited a part of the Pledge of Allegiance in Spanish, belting out “una nación, bajo Dios, indivisible, con libertad y justicia para todos.”
Garth Brooks:
Garth sang an a cappella rendition of “Amazing Grace,” which he urged those in attendance and those watching around the country to sing together for the final verse. “Not just the people here but the people at home, at work. As one, united.” he said.
Bruce Springsteen:
“I want to offer this small prayer for our country,” is how Bruce Springsteen kicked off the “Celebrating America” primetime special before performing the song “Land of Hope and Dreams.” The Lincoln Memorial served as the perfect backdrop as The Boss delivered a song befitting of the moment.
Bon Jovi:
Perched atop a pier over the water in Miami, Bon Jovi gave a glimpse of light as he and his band performed a cover of The Beatles iconic track “Here Comes The Sun.”
Justin Timberlake and Ant Clemons:
Justin Timberlake and Ant Clemons take the proverbial Inaugural stage straight from Memphis to remind us that we have a bright future ahead of us. Whether you’ve felt “left out” or “slept on” “better days are comin’.” As JT and Clemons performed in the Memphis city streets the two singers were joined by a live band the powerful voices of gospel singers, while all socially distanced.
With the help of Nina Simone, John Legend ushers in ‘a new dawn.’
At the foot of the Lincoln Memorial, John Legend performed a strikingly beautiful cover of Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good,” because let’s be real, we’re feeling good as hell…as Lizzo might say. The EGOT winner took to the piano to pour emotion into the celebratory Inauguration day performance. Legend captured the feeling of relief and positivity that the Biden-Harris administration are radiating in Washington and across the nation.
To teachers everywhere, Thank You.
This is in your honor.#Inauguration2021 #CelebratingAmerica
#TimesLikeThese pic.twitter.com/unGyGxpocp
— Foo Fighters (@foofighters) January 21, 2021
Dave Grohl pays tribute to the resiliency of America’s teachers
Citing the lessons he learned from his mother and Dr. Jill Biden, Dave Grohl gave a beautiful tribute to our nation’s teachers. He dedicated the Foo Fighters performance of “Times Like These” to educators as the uplifting anthem pays beautifully tributes standing up in the face of adversity.
Tyler Hubbard and Tim McGraw:
“I think it’s time to come together, you and I can make a change,” Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard and Tim McGraw sing in their new song “Undivided.” It beautifully echoes the call for unity the Biden administration campaigned on during the 2020 election.
Demi Lovato:
Demi Lovato gave us her rendition of Bill Withers’ “Lovely Day” as the cotton candy-colored skies of Los Angeles peered in and nurses and health care workers from around the country contributed their amazing voices to the performance.
Katy Perry:
Clad in suffragette white, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, Katy Perry delivered a chilling performance of “Firework,” as massive glittering red, white and blue fireworks covered the nation’s National Mall. As President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Man Doug Emhoff, watched from the White House Balcony and the Lincoln memorial, Katy’s voice culminated an already hopeful evening with tears of joy and pride for an America on the mend.
https://www.radio.com/alice1059/news/our-favorite-music-moments-from-inauguration-day-2021
.