Songs of Celebration & Remembrance: Commemorating the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. and the Inauguration of Barack Obama

On the steps of the Lincoln Memorial last night, performers including Bruce Springsteen, U2, Bettye LaVette, Beyonce, and many others, joyously celebrated the impending Inauguration of Barack Obama with songs like “America the Beautiful,” “This Land Is Your Land,” and “One Love (Let’s Get Together).” With the “hope” so palpably in the air, even the more the poignant songs like Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come” seemed to imply that the change was already here. Certainly, such hope can make us think so, but today, on the commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and legacy, it is important that we remember not just how far we’ve come but also how far we still need to go:

Odetta – Glory Halleluja (live at Garrison Institute)

Ben Stanfield

Here are a few selections from the Inaugural kickoff concert, “We Are One,” last night on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, where artists like U2, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Shakira, Pete Seeger, Bon Jovi, John Mellencamp, Usher, Beyonce, and Bettye LaVette performed for hundreds of thousands of supporters and onlookers.

Stevie Wonder with Usher and Shakira – Higher Ground

Valerie Hinojosa