America's Song

"America's Song" is a patriotic song written by will.i.am, David Foster and George Pajon, Jr. The song is performed by will.i.am, Seal, Bono, Mary J. Blige, and Faith Hill, with David Foster appearing on piano. The song's live debut, at the Kennedy Center, was broadcast live on a special edition of The Oprah Winfrey Show aired on January 19, 2009, in honor of the next day's inauguration of Barack Obama as President of the United States.^[1]

"America's Song"
Promotional single by will.i.am featuring David Foster, Bono, Mary J. Blige, Faith Hill and Seal
Released	January 20, 2009
Recorded	Ethernet and Record Plant, Los Angeles, January 31, 2008
Genre	Hip hop R&B
Length	4:47
Label	Interscope
Songwriter(s)	William Adams David Foster George Pajon, Jr.
Producer(s)	William Adams

Background

The songwriting collaboration is a first between Foster and will.i.am.^[2] Regarding his intentions for the song, will.i.am said to Oprah Winfrey on her show: "The meaning of this song is being proud of America. I wanted to write the new American anthem for this day and age—for this generation."^[3] will.i.am previously recorded a tribute to Obama, "Yes We Can", based on Obama's speech after the 2008 New Hampshire primary.

Production

Foster and will.i.am said that they wrote most of the song in a single evening at Foster's home.^[4] The recording came together quickly. Foster recorded Hill's vocals on January 15 in Tennessee, will.i.am recorded Bono's portion on January 17, and Blige contributed her vocals on January 18, right after performing at Obama's pre-inauguration concert at the Lincoln Memorial. Seal travelled to D.C. from Cannes to record his part on January 17–18.

References

1. Crosley, Hillary (2009-01-19). "Stars Debut 'America's Song' On 'Oprah'", Billboard. Retrieved on 2009-01-20.
2. Verna, Jocelyn (2009-01-19). "Will.I.Am Premieres Latest Barack Obama-Inspired Anthem 'America's Song'", MTV.com. Retrieved on 2009-01-20.
3. no byline (2009-01-19). "Listen to will.i.am's 'America's Song'", Us Weekly. Retrieved on 2009-01-20.
4. Stevenson, Jane (2009-01-21). "Foster's America", Toronto Sun. Retrieved on 2009-02-10.