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From the Faux News Network

posted 16 years ago by keywslt
1 reply | jump to latest

Read to the end. The .Sky is The limit" On Topic!

AP

Sep. 16:
Guests arrive at Greystone mansion in Beverly Hills, Calif. for a $28,500 per plate fundraiser for Barack Obama.

Exclusive: Streisand Sings Support for Obama Exclusive: Streisand Sings Support for Obama

Barbra Streisand sang and spoke out Tuesday night for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama at a star-studded fundraiser in Beverly Hills, Calif.

She sang four songs, according to sources. They were interesting choices: "When the Sun Comes Out," "Make Someone Happy," "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?" and "Shining Hour."

In between songs, Streisand spoke a little bit about Obama and the reason she was there. She said, "I'm not here to make a political speech... Tonight my thoughts are only personal... I can't wait for the morning on November 5th when the people who said 'Yes we can' wake up and say 'Yes we did.'"

Streisand was not the only performer on the bill. She was preceded by Ben Harper and also by Broadway star Raul Esparza, who sang "America the Beautiful."

But what interesting song choices for Streisand, who skipped her biggest hits like "People" and "The Way We Were," not to mention "Guilty" or "Stoney End."

She had a message to send, and she sent it.

The final number, "My Shining Hour," is a Johnny Mercer-Harold Arlen song from 1943. It comes from the movie "The Sky's the Limit" and is said to be written around Winston Churchill's famous rallying cry to British citizens during World War II. How appropriate!

Streisand's other choices: "When the Sun Comes Out" is circa 1962, from the earliest part of her career. "Make Someone Happy" and "Rest of Your Life" are staples from her shows.

Streisand is no Hollywood Twinkie when it comes to politics. She's been involved in fundraising and support for Democrats since the early 1970s, when she performed live at Madison Square Garden for George McGovern. A fervent Clinton backer, her move to help Obama, I am told, comes from the heart.

[–] plkcsk 16 years ago

Keywslt writes (previous post) "The final number, "My Shining Hour," is a Johnny Mercer-Harold Arlen song from 1943. It comes from the movie "The Sky's the Limit" and is said to be written around Winston Churchill's famous rallying cry to British citizens during World War II. How appropriate!"

Interesting stuff keywslt - I didn't know about the Winston Churchill connection.

My own contribution on this board concerns my Dad, who was in the British Army during the war, and was posted to Egypt for part of it.

On 14th January 1945, him and some of his mates went to the cinema in Cairo to see this film! Must have been quite 'patriotic' to see then if "My Shining Hour" was known at the time to be about Winston.

In his 1945 Diary (for 14th January) my Dad talked about that very song, when he wrote "In evening went to see 'The Sky's the Limit' (F Astaire). Had seen it before, but the tune 'My Shining Hour' was lovely" - see the other thread on here titled (simply) "14th January 1945".

Regards.