Joseph R. Biden Jr. made his inaugural address today after being sworn in as the 46th President of the United States. Towards the end of his speech, President Biden quoted texts from the Gene Scheer composition “American Anthem”, which he called his “favorite song”:
What should our legacy be?
What will our children say?
Let me tell you
I was one who believed
In sharing the blessings
I received
Let me know in my heart
When my days are over
America
America
I did my best for you
“American Anthem” was written by Scheer in 1998 and first performed that year by Denyce Graves at the Smithsonian Institution to launch Bill and Hillary Clinton’s Save America’s Treasures initiative. Graves re-played the song for George W. Bush’s second dedication in 2005. Norah Jones later made American Anthem more popular by covering it for Ken Burns’ WWII documentary series The War.
At the opening ceremony, Lady Gaga played the national anthem while Jennifer Lopez came out to sing a medley of “This Land Is Your Land” and “America the Beautiful”.
