Bruce Springsteen started the Celebrating America Wednesday night, playing an acoustic version of his 1999 song “Land on Hope on Dreams” on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
“Good night, America,” he said after introductory comments from host Tom Hanks. “I am proud to be here in cold Washington, DC, tonight. I want to offer this little prayer for our country. This is the ‘Land of Hope and Dreams’ ”.
Twelve years ago, Springsteen was in exactly the same place to inaugurate the Obama administration by playing “The Rising” with Joyce Garrett Singers and “This Land Is Your Land” with Pete Seeger and Tao Rodríguez-Seeger. He campaigned with Obama in 2008 and 2012, just as he did with John Kerry during his unsuccessful campaign in 2004. He also supported Biden’s team, but in a different role, as the pandemic forced them to drastically reduce their rallies. . In the final weeks of the campaign, he narrated Biden’s “Hometown” ad and allowed them to use his 1984 song “My Hometown” as a soundtrack.
“He’s running to change that, to give workers the chance they deserve,” said Springsteen in the campaign’s announcement. “An honest life for honest work and a little peace of mind at the end of the day. Because this place stays with him. These streets are part of it. This is more than where it comes from; is for who he is. “
O Celebrating America The event also featured performances by Foo Fighters, Justin Timberlake with Ant Clemons, John Legend and Demi Lovato. He ended with Katy Perry singing “Firework” while real fireworks lit up the DC sky as President Biden and Dr. Jill Biden watched from the White House.