Headline Poem 2/3/14 -- Can we teach the world to sing?

(Photo credit Google Image)

In 1971, Coke created a commercial that had its beginnings in an airport -- essentially, after not being able to land in London because of fog, travelers had to stay overnight in Ireland, included in this inconvenience was a Coca Cola creative director. The next day, in an Ireland airport, he saw people laughing over the beverage. He realized it brought people together, and saw what would lead to the $250,000 commercial shoot on a hilltop in Italy. "I'd like to buy the world a Coke" lyrics showed the world that Coke connected people, all kinds of people. 

During the Super Bowl yesterday, Coke aired an ad that has been deemed controversial. Why? Because a patriotic song, "America the Beautiful," was sung in English, and other languages, and featured multicultural people -- light, dark, gay, exposed, in hijabs, and frankly, it pissed some people off. The point of an ad is to sell, to have people remember your product, and to get people talking, or singing. Love Coke or hate it, is there anything more global or American than the fizzy liquid in a red and white bottle or can? America speaks many languages, and I am wondering if we will ever be able to sing together? I wrote this with the 1971 tune in my head. 

Can we teach the world to sing?

There are people who do not want to 
buy the world a home, 
nor furnish it with warmth and love,
They'd rather be alone

We kill apple trees and honey bees,
and even white turtle doves

Can we teach the world to sing, 
in perfect or imperfect harmony?

I don't give a shit about what you buy,
or who you keep for company

Is there such a thing as a real thing?

What the world wants today
is not real clear to me

If we gathered on top 
of a great big hill 
in the countryside of Italy, 
would we really bring 
a bottle of Coke,
and sing in harmony?

Would you look at the people all around, 
and ask them what language they speak?
Would you tell them that
there is a song
that's just for you and me?

You can only sing in English,
no other languages allowed
America is beautiful, 
but she is multilingual

What the world wants is not real clear to me
What America wants is not real clear to me