James Brown – Living in America
#quotefromthe80s
Living in America - eye to eye, station to station
Living in America - hand to hand, across the nation
Living in America - got to have a celebration
Rock my soul
#JamesBrown #LivingInAmerica
The 1980s were characterized by individuals who exhibited sobriety and dignity, as well as refined and elegant demeanors. In everyday life, songs, and films, people tended to display regular and composed behavior. This period was marked by a pervasive sense of style and composed elegance. Notable examples include Boy George in Karma Chameleon and Cyndi Lauper in Girls Just Want To Have Fun, as well as the futuristic elegance of post-punk figures such as Sigue Sigue Sputnik in Love Missile F1-11.
The most distinguished figure among them was an artist who had achieved significant chart success in the 1970s, with his last peak being in 1976. Despite continuing to be much loved and appreciated, his prominence began to wane, and he became more associated with the funk genre, which was somewhat removed from the pop charts that appealed to many teenagers.
However, between 1984 and 1985, a renowned actor known for his versatility and reinvention, Sylvester Stallone, who was working on his next film, reached out to this legendary funk and soul musician to request a very specific song for his project.
Indeed, during the production of one of his most significant and renowned films, Rocky IV, Sylvester Stallone was deeply immersed in a project that metaphorically represented the Cold War atmosphere of the mid-1980s. This film was released in late 1985, approximately one month before Christmas.
The storyline is well-known: the Soviet Union issues a challenge to the United States, proposing a boxing match between their Olympic champion, Ivan Drago, and American icon Rocky Balboa. However, it is Apollo Creed, the former world champion, who accepts the challenge despite having retired from the boxing circuit. Tragically, Creed succumbs to injuries sustained during the fight with Ivan Drago.
Subsequently, the boxing match between Rocky and Drago is scheduled to take place in Moscow on Christmas Day, an event that has since become a significant moment in cinema history. The narrative intertwines themes of patriotism and competition with the Soviet Union, reflecting the geopolitical tensions of the era, as often happened in reality and in the cinematographic, musical and literary reading of those years.
To energize the American audience prior to Apollo’s bout against Drago, a fitting song performed by a renowned artist was essential. Sylvester Stallone enlisted James Brown, famously known as “the Godfather of Soul”, for this purpose.
Initially, James Brown expressed skepticism about the proposal, partly because his career was experiencing a period of decline. However, he ultimately decided to trust Stallone, who had demonstrated a remarkable ability to reinvent himself throughout his career and was also recognized for revitalizing the careers of others.
The song is composed by soul musician Charles Midnight, who has an extensive career working on numerous soundtracks, in collaboration with Dan Hartman, a well-known figure in the pop music world. Hartman achieved significant success in 1984 with his song I Can Dream About You, featured on the soundtrack of the film Streets of Fire.
The lyrics of the song provide a narrative that spans across America from the perspective of individuals driving large trucks on highways or operating long trains across the country, traveling day and night accompanied by music. The song references several American cities, suggesting that, even if one is not actively seeking a promised land, it might still be found under one of these familiar names, such as New Orleans, Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta, and New York City.
In essence, this piece can be viewed as both an ode to patriotism and an appreciation for the simplicity and intensity of funk and soul music, performed by a blue-glitter-adorned artist who concluded his performances with a signature cloak-draping gesture. This compelling song energized both Apollo and the audience before his confrontation with Ivan Drago.
The track achieved significant success, bolstered by the popularity of the associated film. It has since become one of James Brown’s most renowned works, particularly memorable to our generation due to his portrayal of Reverend Cleophus James in the movie The Blues Brothers.
In summary, James Brown once again experienced the remarkable phenomenon of American success, attributed to a distinguished film, an exceptional actor-director, and, unmistakably, an outstanding song.
James Brown on Wikipedia
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