We got what the New Radicals promised to give.
The band had pledged to reunite and play its ’90s anthem “You Get What You Give” if Joe Biden was elected president. And the New Radicals made good on their word during the virtual “Parade Across America,” which took place after the inauguration on Wednesday afternoon.
With lead singer Gregg Alexander rocking his classic bucket hat and introducing the song from Pennsylvania, his band regrouped to sing the 1998 hit — more than 20 years after the group broke up.
The song had heartfelt significance for the new administration. It was a source of inspiration for Biden’s beloved son Beau during his battle with terminal brain cancer — a fight he lost in 2015. The catchy tune also had been used on the campaign trail as the intro music for now-Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, the husband of new Vice President Kamala Harris.
And if the New Radicals sounded a little rusty — and looked a lot older — after two-plus decades, it was hard to deny the uplifting spirit of the song, with lyrics such as, “This whole damn world could fall apart/You’ll be OK, follow your heart.”
The message of the music was brought home with some inspirational words on posters displayed by a diverse group of Americans. It had all the feel-good feels.
The New Radicals weren’t the only musicians featured during the virtual parade, which was hosted by former “Scandal” president Tony Goldwyn. Andra Day performed her rousing hit “Rise Up,” while DJ Cassidy helmed a special inauguration edition of his “Pass the Mic” series featuring Earth, Wind & Fire, Chic’s Nile Rodgers and Kathy Sledge.
The latter two performed Sister Sledge’s 1979 classic “We Are Family,” with a host of Americans from all across the country joining the party and singing along. It was the kind of festive family affair that united everyone in song.
