Yes, I am suspicious of anything that seems to be optimistic. Having spent a while looking at the statistics around domestic abuse (and the lack of comprehensive legislation to back up the chief of police's bold words saying that stamping it out is a priority), I am not feeling encouraged by the news that the UN is releasing a single to celebrate International Woman's Day.
Over to the press release.
On International Women’s Day, 8 March 2013 UN Women will launch "One Woman: A song for UN Women", a musical celebration of women worldwide, featuring more than 20 artists from across the globe.
Yes, those huge collaborations always sound so exciting. Perfect Day by Lou Reed was rubbish until the BBC did that orgy of a version to show how they can get stars to abase themselves to have two seconds on the TV.
But putting aside my cynicism, Feed The World was a rubbish tune, but it did do something positive. I guess this track is going to try consciousness raising.
No, I can't face it. I'm sorry. It is the theme tune for a UN organisation. Let the press release explain it while I try to reconcile my austere aesthetic disgust and belief that political songs are important.
One Woman calls for change and celebrates acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who daily make extraordinary contributions to their countries and communities. The lyrics are inspired by stories of women whom UN Women has supported, UN Women is the UN organization charged with advancing women’s empowerment and gender equality worldwide. It began its work in 2011, the first new UN organization in decades. One Woman is the first theme song for a UN organization.
Hang on, women and men are singing it? Surely a number celebrating the female voice politically would be best served by... well, women's voices? I am being a bit too 1970s separatist about this?
And is Jim Diamond really on it? Jim I Should Have Known Better Diamond? Wasn't Midge Ure free?
Initially performed during the launch event for UN Women in the UN General Assembly Hall in 2011, One Woman aims to become a rallying cry that inspires listeners about the mission of UN Women and engages them to join in the drive for women’s empowerment and gender equality.
The music of the song is by Graham Lyle (Tina Turner’s What's Love Got To Do With It and many other hits) and British/Somali singer-songwriter Fahan Hassan. Jerry Boys, who has worked with a wide range of artists including REM, Everything But The Girl and was one of the people behind the Buena Vista Social Club recording, produced the song, together with lyricist and executive producer Beth Blatt and her organization Hope Sings.
Stop right there. It isn't just that there are men WRITING AND PRODUCING THE SONG FOR WOMEN THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT EMPOWERMENT (I am sure the irony would be worth a wry chuckle and little more). It's that they got the author of Joe Knows How To Live to do it. Of course, I tried very hard to find a nasty misogynistic lyric to frame Lyle, but he is no gangster rapster. Mind, he's no Bob Dylan either.
Microsoft, as UN Women’s corporate partner for “One Woman” has sponsored the song and music video production.
The song will be available for purchase on the song website and all common channels like iTunes and Amazon for $0.99. All proceeds go directly to UN Women in support of its programmes to empower women on the ground.
Well, it is a good cause, but I'd encourage everyone to download a Le Tigre album instead and just give a dollar to UN Women.
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