Admit it, whenever the song - Standing In The Eyes of The World starts playing, you just can’t help but sing along to it, too!
The well-loved anthem was first recorded back in 1998 to commemorate Malaysia’s hosting of the Commonwealth Games that year, and was performed by Malaysia’s legendary rock queen, Ella.
Photo via Facebook (US Embassy Kuala Lumpur)
Recently, in celebration of the United States’ Independence Day on the 4th of July, the US Embassy in Malaysia released a four-minute music video clip featuring musicians from both countries, putting together a video of their performance of that very same song.
In a statement by the US Ambassador to Malaysia, Kamala Shirin Lakhdhir said: “While Americans and Malaysians can’t gather in person to celebrate our relationship this year, we can find other means to highlight our long history of partnership and cooperation.”
“Today, more than ever, music us a universal language that transcends borders and brings people together, and in that spirit, the Embassy is proud to release a new recording of the Malaysian classic Standing In The Eyes of The World.”
This year, the U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur is celebrating U.S. Independence Day through a special cultural diplomacy...
Posted by U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur on Friday, July 3, 2020
The video, which was published on YouTube, featured several alumni of American Music Abroad programmes - I US Government-sponsored exchanges that send dozens of American musicians around the world each year.
The project also involved Muhardiman Ismail, a Malaysian flutist known as Mohar, who kicks off the song by playing a traditional Malaysian flute, and of course, Ella, who made history when she recorded her 1994 multi-platinum album Ella USA in Los Angeles.
On the American side, the video also included former Guns N’ Roses lead guitarist Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, guitar whiz Tony Memmel, jazz vocalist Gabrielle Stravelli, acapella group ReVoiced, and the all-female country group, Farewell Angelina.
According to the New Straits Times, the US Embassy also worked closely with Malaysian songwriter/producer Helen Yap, a Berklee alumna who arranged the song and coordinated singers across two countries and four time zones.
Well, it’s about time that this iconic song gets the recognition it deserves!
By: Aishah Akashah Ahadiat
