Joseph R. Biden Jr. delivered his inaugural address today after being appointed 46th President of the United States. Near the end of his speech, President Biden quoted lyrics from Gene Scheer’s composition “American Anthem,” which he called “his favorite song:”
Written by Scheer in 1998, “American Anthem” was first performed by Denyce Graves that year at the Smithsonian Institution during a launch event for Bill and Hillary Clinton’s “Save America’s Treasures.” Graves performed the play again for George W. Bush’s second inauguration in 2005. Later, Norah Jones further popularized “American Anthem,” covering it for Ken’s World War II documentary series. Burns. The war.
Earlier, at the opening ceremony, Lady Gaga sang the national anthem, while Jennifer Lopez went out to sing a mix of “This Land Is Your Land” and “America the Beautiful.”