Yes We Can

Album: Voices of a Grassroots Movement (2008)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Will.i.am assembled this song after hearing US presidential candidate Barack Obama's speech after the New Hampshire primary election on January 8, 2008, which he lost to Hilary Clinton. Will.i.am was so moved by the speech that he created a song using Obama's audio mixed with celebrities who interpreted the words as well. Appearing in the song and the video are John Legend, Ed Kowalczyk, Nicole Scherzinger, Herbie Hancock, Common, Scarlett Johansson, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The video was directed by Jesse Dylan, who is the son of Bob Dylan. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bertrand - Paris, France
  • The video was released on February 1, 2008, shortly ahead of "Super Tuesday" where many states held their elections. There was no clear winner on that day, but Obama gained a great deal of momentum later in February and surged ahead of Clinton. "Yes We Can" became a rallying cry for his supporters, and over 1 million of them gave money to his campaign. Hillary Clinton claimed that Obama lacked substance, and criticized him for making big speeches without the experience to back up his words. At one point, she started using the phrase "Yes We Will" at her events.
  • Herbie Hancock, who appears on this song, won the Grammy Award in 2008 for Album Of The Year. It was the last award given out that night, and at the ceremony, Hancock didn't mention Obama specifically, but said in his speech: "This is a new day. It proves that the impossible can be made possible. Yes we can."
  • This was available only as a video until November 11, 2008, when it was released on the compilation Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement, which also featured contributions from Stevie Wonder, Jill Scott and John Legend. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bertrand - Paris, France

Comments: 1

  • Rain from Clinton, MdGreat song, Obama for President in 2008! Yes, he can win!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Wedding Bell Blues

Wedding Bell BluesSong Writing

When a song describes a wedding, it's rarely something to celebrate - with one big exception.

Rickie Lee Jones

Rickie Lee JonesSongwriter Interviews

Rickie Lee Jones on songwriting, social media, and how she's handling Trump.

Sarah Brightman

Sarah BrightmanSongwriter Interviews

One of the most popular classical vocalists in the land is lining up a trip to space, which is the inspiration for many of her songs.

Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers

Bill Medley of The Righteous BrothersSongwriter Interviews

Medley looks back on "Unchained Melody" and "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" - his huge hits from the '60s that were later revived in movies.

Bill Withers

Bill WithersSongwriter Interviews

Soul music legend Bill Withers on how life experience and the company you keep leads to classic songs like "Lean On Me."

The Police

The PoliceFact or Fiction

Do their first three albums have French titles? Is "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" really meaningless? See if you can tell in this Fact or Fiction.