ANNIE LENNOX SAYS GOOD MORNING, AMERICA
Here Comes The SING, Again
Annie Lennox has long been involved in awareness-raising efforts around HIV/AIDS. In her own words, here’s why: “Several years ago I personally witnessed Nelson Mandela, standing in front of his former prison cell on Robben Island, addressing the world’s press. His message was that the pandemic of HIV/AIDS in Africa was in fact, a genocide. Since that time I resolved to as much as I can to bring attention to the HIV/AIDS crisis."
Her appearance on GMA today included a short chat before she sang “Universal Child” which is a new composition she released last month on October 12.
She also talked about her brand new Christmas album called “A Christmas Cornucopia” released this week on November 15. Her inspiration behind it came from her time spent as a child when she sang in choirs and learned Christmas music at a very young age. This new album includes Annie’s very favourite songs from that time.
“I’ve known these songs, these carols all my life, I’ve sung them since I was little,” says the songwriter and singer of The Holly And The Ivy, Silent Night, The First Noel and other, less-widely-known songs such as Il Est Ne Le Divin Enfant, and Lullay Lullay. “ They’re just in me. They’re a huge part of my life. So it’s not an arbitrary selection. Those relationships with those pieces of music were there intrinsically before I approached the recording.”
Annie also talked about a recent trip to Cape Town, South Africa to record with the African Children’s Choir which is featured on her Christmas album.
Annie’s short chat was followed by a beautiful live performance of “Universal Child”. I’m just amazed by her voice. I always have been actually. Sister sings like an angel! And 'Universal Child' is a gorgeous song, too.
Annie Lennox still looks friggin' amazing!. She’s aging very well and very gracefully. What else would we expect from Ms. Lennox? You can see that she is not “investing” in botox or anything like that. And guess what, everybody? She looks great!
Annie made a point of mentioning that all the income she earns from sales of “Universal Child” are paid to her charity, the Annie Lennox Foundation which raises money for projects supporting and educating women and children in Africa with HIV/AIDS. Now THAT’S the Christmas spirit, right?!
In 2007, Annie Lennox’s work was consolidated into the SING campaign. From the SING campaign website:The money raised by SING helps prevent the spread of HIV in South Africa. But the awareness that SING raises in countries all around the world is just as important. One of SING’s aims is to increase global action to support infected and affected women and children, especially in the UK.
Annie lobbies politicians, gives performances and interviews, and speaks at international events about HIV. She uses her unique voice to fight stigma and bring about change.
In 2010, Annie became an official UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador, as well as an HIV Ambassador for London and a special envoy for CPA Scotland on HIV.
WHY IS IT CALLED ‘SING’?
When people get together to sing, they become encouraged and inspired. In the words of Nelson Mandela: “Let us use the universal language of music, to sing out our message around the world”. As one of the world’s most renowned singer songwriters, Annie Lennox decided to write an anthem that could be used as a symbol of unity and empowerment, and help spread the message to the world.
In the spring of 2007, she invited 23 of the most internationally acclaimed female artists to record their voices on “SING”. Watch the SING video:
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