BAND AID – AGAIN??

How do you make a difference in the world to invoke positive change?  I like to share knowledge and stories of people and animals overcoming great challenges.  I pledge to share this information in hope to educate others on climate change, social injustice, human rights issues and the inhumane treatment of animals, to say the least.  We are entering the holiday season and so many of us don’t even give a second thought to those who are less fortunate than we are – we are too caught up in the consumer game and helping corporations with their bottom line and huge profits.  Just imagine if we refocused our thoughts and actually did something for the greater good of the planet, environment, animals and those who are much less fortunate than we are.  IMAGINE THE IMPACT.

It was 30 years ago of the release of “Do They Know It’s Christmas” – Written by Bob Geldof (Boomtown Rats) and Midge Ure (Ultravox).  It was released to raise money for famine that plagued much of Ethiopia in 1983 – 1985.  Some of the biggest names in the British Music (and a few Americans) participated with no intention of receiving anything in return.  Those that participated included Bono and Adam Clayton of U2, Wham!, Duran Duran, Paul Young, Spandau Ballet, Culture Club, Sting,  Phil Collins, Paul Weller, Bananarama, Kool and the Gang and Jody Watley – just to name a few.  Here is the original clip:

“Do They Know It’s Christmas was re-recorded in 1989  as Band Aid II and again in 2004 to raise awareness and benefit the troubled are of Darfur in Sudan.  The 1989 version included Kylie Minogue, Chris Rea, Jimmy Somerville, Matt Goss, Cliff Richard, Jason Donovan, Sonia, Lisa Stansfield, Bananarama, Marti Pellow and Big Fun.  Here is the clip for that version:

The 2004 version – Band Aid 20 “Do They Know It’s Christmas” was released to raise awareness and benefit the troubled area of Darfur in Sudan.  This version included the artists:  Daniel and Natasha Bedingfield, Bono (U2), Chris Martin of Coldplay, Dido, Robbie Williams, Busted, Ms Dynamite, Skye Edwards of Morcheeba, Estelle, Neil Hannon of The Divine Comedy, Justin Hawkins of Darkness, Jamelia, Tom Chaplin of Keane, Beverly Knight, Lemar, Shaznay Lewis of All Saints, Katie Melua and Roisin Murphy.  Here is that version:

And finally here is the current version.  This version was put together to raise money to fight Ebola in Africa.  Band Aid 30 features Bono, Sinead O’Connor, Chris Martin of Coldplay, Sam Smith, Ellie Goulding, Rita Ora, Paloma Faith, One Direction, Emeli Sande and Ed Sheeran.  Here is that clip:

Despite what you believe about these charity recordings – whether you believe that the artist is getting free publicity or that you heard funds were being misappropriated, just remember the key goal for all of these benefits – to raise your awareness of what is happening in the world.  Never believe that you can’t be part of the solution – you do not have to be a huge star to make a difference.  These celebrities are using their well-know names to bring awareness to an issue that affects us all and they came together to do something about it.  Isn’t that enough to celebrate these forces for good?  You don’t have to enjoy the artists – all you need is compassion and empathy and you too, can make a difference.

Together, we can make the world a more positive one!

 

HAPPY GAY PRIDE – MUSIC VIDEO

As we continue to celebrate the ruling SCOTUS made yesterday in deeming Prop 8 unconstitutional – I want to look back into the past, 1984 to be exact.  I was in High School and was living a life as a closeted teenager.  I didn’t know where to go for support – I knew how my friends and family felt about homosexuals (especially males) and wasn’t about to ‘come out’ to any of them.  The only release I managed to receive was in pop music. 

There were a lot of ambiguous music groups and artists that were just reaching peak stardom levels, groups such as; Duran Duran, The Cure, Depeche Mode, The Human League, Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, New Order, Yaz, etc….What I really connected with were bands that had openly/known gay singers and band mates like; Culture Club, Frankie Goes To Hollywood and especially Bronski Beat.  (I learned of Andy Bell of Erasure a few years later).  

Music transcended the closet for me and I guess, for many others.  These bands had massive hit records and albums during that time.  I couldn’t understand why I couldn’t come out especially when Bronski Beat had a hit on the charts about a young boy’s struggle and coming out with his homosexuality.  The song was called “Smalltown Boy”.  This song resonated with me – it was about me, it was my story and it was on the radio everywhere.  The irony is that the song didn’t give me the courage to come out and live my authentic life – for me, it reinforced why I should stay closeted.  I didn’t want to be bullied, I didn’t want to lose my friends and most of all – I didn’t want to be ostracized by my family.  What that song did was allow me to begin the dialogue with myself in accepting who I was because it was confirmation that there were many others out there like me.

I think the LGBTQ community should acknowledge the importance of pop music and artists such as Divine, Sylvester, Culture Club, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Madonna, Elton John, Erasure and Bronski Beat – some for being openly gay and not apologizing for it and some for embracing the community without fear of what could happen to their careers.  These artists, through their music and videos, have provided an escape of a harsh reality that so many today (and yesterday) couldn’t live through.  So thank you and Happy Pride.

Here are the lyrics to “Smalltown Boy” :

You leave in the morning
With everything you own
In a little black case
Alone on a platform
The wind and the rain
On a sad and lonely face

Mother will never understand
Why you had to leave
But the answers you seek
Will never be found at home
The love that you need
Will never be found at home

Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away
Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away

Pushed around and kicked around
Always a lonely boy
You were the one
That they’d talk about around town
As they put you down

And as hard as they would try
They’d hurt to make you cry
But you never cried to them
Just to your soul
No, you never cried to them
Just to your soul

Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away
Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away

Cry, boy, cry…

You leave in the morning
With everything you own
In a little black case
Alone on a platform
The wind and the rain
On a sad and lonely face

Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away
Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away

Here is the video that gave me inspiration to begin to live my true and authentic self….enjoy!

Together, we can make the world a more positive one!