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If your interest was piqued by the inclusion of New Radicals ‘1998 single “You Get What You Give” on Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’ recently announced opening playlist, you will definitely want to watch the final act of your “Parade” Across America ”inaugural virtual event this Wednesday. According to Rolling Stone, the New Radicals will meet after 22 years (active from 1997 to 1999, the band released an album, Maybe you have also been brainwashed, in 1998) to celebrate the fact that the world can, if we are lucky, overcome this.
“If there is anything on Earth that would possibly make us join the band, even if only for a day, it is the hope that our music can be the tiniest beacon of light in such a dark time,” New Radicals frontman Gregg Alexander said in a statement. “America knows in its heart that things will be bright again with a new administration and a real vaccine plan on the way. That’s the message of the song … this world will survive. “
In addition to being the song of the second gentleman Doug Emhoff’s self-selected campaign, Rolling Stone points out that “You get what you give” is also important for Biden’s family. According to the future 46th president, the song served as a rallying cry for son Beau Biden while he was being treated for cancer; Beau passed away in 2015.
“During breakfast, Beau used to make me hear what I thought was his theme song, ‘You Get What You Give’ by New Radicals,” wrote the president-elect in his 2017 autobiography Promise me dad. “Although Beau never stopped fighting and his will to live was stronger than most – I think he knew that day could come. The lyrics of the song are: This damn world can fall apart. You’ll be fine, follow your heart. “