In response to a large scale, surprise, unprecedented and savage assault launched by the Palestinian group Hamas last Saturday from the Gaza Strip, the tiny state of Israel has declared war on the terrorist, militant faction. Israel has not faced street battles on its own territory since the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. Israel has also never faced a terror attack of this magnitude that has taken the lives of so many civilians, including babies, children and the elderly. War does not determine who’s right but rather who is left …..” There is no flag large enough to cover the shame of killing innocent people”…Howard Zinn
“I know not with what weapons World War lll will be fought, but WW lV will be fought with sticks and stones….Albert Einstein
At the crux of what could actually become a segue to WW lll, world leaders and global citizens are urged to hear and take heed to the words by award winning composer Randy Edelman and to keep in mind that no matter how bad things can get…”Everything Is Possible”, a song of hope for the underdog, (just re-released on Tribeca Records).The song was written by Randy some years ago but in light of the world’s raging climate no song has ever been more relevant, more insightful or more important.
One might ask, does Music have the power to change the world? Well in this instance it has to. Music has the power to alter one’s mood, change perceptions, and inspire change. It is an essential aspect of all human civilizations, and has the impact to emotionally, morally and culturally affect societies, and is especially crucial in times of conflict when other lines of communication prove to be challenging. An essential example of how music influences society and human behavior is the impact of the freedom song of the civil rights movement such as “We Shall Overcome”, which broke the barriers, educated people, and had a hand in ending segregation. Songs have the power to change the world in unexpected ways by challenging preconceived notions, and shedding light on issues that have historically been ignored. “Everything Is Possible” holds the key to such change.
Just after 6:00 am as the dawn sky broke into a light blue and the headliner DJ took the stage, an air raid siren cut through the ether. Rockets streamed overhead capturing a night that was to be a getaway for thousands of young women and men gathered near the Gaza border to dance without a care. The attack on the open air Tribe of Nova Music Festival is believed to be the worst civilian massacre in Israel’s history with at least 260 dead, and an undetermined amount of hostages taken.
While Israel is leaning up against Heaven, and at war, Randy Edelman is singing his profound lyrics “Even angels seemed to block your way.” A true tribute to the outlander, the dark horse, the weaker party, the scapegoat, the victim ….however, “Everything is Possible” is proof that they too can and will succeed and survive.
In the words of Benjamin Netanyahu
“Israel is at war.
We didn’t want this war.
It was forced upon us in the most brutal and savage way.
But though Israel didn’t start this war, Israel will finish it.
Once, the Jewish people were stateless.
Once, the Jewish people were defenseless.
No longer.
Hamas will understand that by attacking us, they have made a mistake of historic proportions. We will exact a price that will be remembered by them and Israel’s other enemies for decades to come.
The savage attacks that Hamas perpetrated against innocent Israelis are mindboggling: slaughtering families in their homes, massacring hundreds of young people at an outdoor festival, kidnapping scores of women, children and elderly, even Holocaust survivors.
Hamas terrorists bound, burned and executed children.
They are savages.”
In the same statement he went on to say
“In fighting Hamas, Israel is not only fighting for its own people.
It is fighting for every country that stands against barbarism.
Israel will win this war, and when Israel wins, the entire civilized world wins”.
Everything Is Possible by Randy Edelman
A gang of bandits once shocked me in an alley
I held my arms high
And screamed for some rescue
It on time arrived
You see lighting struck their eyes
I bolted out to some safe Avenue
When all the games I’ve played so long were ending
and all opponents seemed to know the score
When all the hope On earth
Won’t add to your net worth
That’s the time surprises are in store
You gotta dream that
Harmony is never ending
You got to dream it
All the good times they would last
You gotta dream that
Everything is possible
And all the pain
Is in the past
Some hungry lions
Once trapped me in a corner
A band of experts
Once told me I was through
It’s seemed like fate looked down
And spun me upside down
That’s the time to see if words are true
When all the fortune seems to just go round you
When even angels
Seem to block your way
You still gotta hope for a sign
When your down to your last dime
That’s the time to tap the strength in you
To a young up and coming pop star, the promise of commercial success and a chance for the world to hear your music means everything….However, when the record label says sorry this will never be released and your hopes and dreams are crushed instantaneously that has really got to hurt. In Randy’s case, although crestfallen and disillusioned, it led him somewhere else and he became one of the most sought after, popular and relevant soundtrack architects still. He has composed over a hundred movie and television scores (My Cousin Vinny, Ghostbusters ll, Last of the Mohicans, Dragonheart, Kindergarten Cop, While You Were Sleeping, MacGyver, the Olympics, etc). His pop songs were covered by some of the most iconic people on the planet, including Olivia Newton-John, Barry Manilow, Patti LaBelle, Nelly, Dionne Warwick, and a long list of others.
Now with the world in chaos there is no better time to unleash a gift to mankind that holds the power to transform us on the inside, and then ripple out in ever-expanding circles that positively impact the world at large….
Everyone needs to believe that something extraordinary is possible especially now…..