Coke Commercial - America the Beautiful (GSQ)

[Bini]

And how do we know that these same people that you are blasting for singing in another language don't speak English as well as you and I? They are the fortunate ones that know more than one language. I wish I did.

I could just see the videos coming out making a mockery of those if they had sung it in broken English.

I bet you'd even have a riot of protestors with their knickers in a twist because they're mocking the American people!

[carlimac]

Here's how it should be sung.

or this:

[pam]

Here's how it should be sung.

or this:

So the only appropriate ways to sing it is if we are the MoTab or a small children's choir?

Ridiculous

[carlimac]

And how do we know that these same people that you are blasting for singing in another language don't speak English as well as you and I? They are the fortunate ones that know more than one language. I wish I did.

I could just see the videos coming out making a mockery of those if they had sung it in broken English.

Yes, someone probably would mock it. Or be offended by it. There are some who just can't find enough things to be offended by.

But if they knew English, why not sing it in English? It's an American song being sung for an American audience. Unless...you're trying to make a point. And Coke wasn't clear what that point was.

[carlimac]

So the only appropriate ways to sing it is if we are the MoTab or a small children's choir?

Ridiculous

Oh Pam. Can't I have a differing opinion than you without getting your knickers in a twist? These are merely suggestions. I *think* you knew that.

[pam]

Oh Pam. Can't I have a differing opinion than you without getting your knickers in a twist? These are merely suggestions. I *think* you knew that.

You made no mention that they were "suggestions." You posted: "Here's how it should be sung."

I don't see where I would ever get the idea that these are suggestions.

[Backroads]

What if you're offended that "America the Beautiful" ISN'T our national anthem??

(it is SO much easier to sing, and the lyrics really are lovely)

You know, I lovelovelove the historical significance of "The Star-Spangled Banner" but... I agree with you here.

[EarlJibbs]

Yes, someone probably would mock it. Or be offended by it. There are some who just can't find enough things to be offended by.

But if they knew English, why not sing it in English? It's an American song being sung for an American audience. Unless...you're trying to make a point. And Coke wasn't clear what that point was.

I am pretty sure Coke is trying to sell Coke. That is their point.

As far as the song. You think people singing it in broken English would have been sufficient? I think that there would have then been talk of them learning proper English. The intro song to the Jeffersons was a song for Americans in America, but I doubt it would have received any flack. Yes, they are about different things, but just a song none the less. IMO - You are blowing this up out of nothing.

This is the kind of reaction I would expect out of other countries. The more I think of the outrage, I am ashamed of us.

[Guest]

By the way, during the aftermath of the typhoon that hit the Philippines, several Filipino choirs sang God Bless America (yes, in English, because we can) in gratitude for the outpouring of American aid.

[Backroads]

Agree or not, it would be a huge benefit to Americans to be bilingual and since we have so many Hispanics in the United States, it only makes sense that the secondary language be Spanish. So many other countries speak their primary language (maybe even other dialects), then English, and one more language. Besides, America wasn't an English speaking country to begin with.

I agree that a multilingual system would be best, but right now not many people are going to work for that. Too many Spanish-speakers don't want to learn English and too many English-speakers don't want to learn Spanish. And let's not forget the bevy of other languages that are lost in the debate.

[Backroads]

Agree or not, it would be a huge benefit to Americans to be bilingual and since we have so many Hispanics in the United States, it only makes sense that the secondary language be Spanish. So many other countries speak their primary language (maybe even other dialects), then English, and one more language. Besides, America wasn't an English speaking country to begin with.

I agree that a multilingual system would be best, but right now not many people are going to work for that. Too many Spanish-speakers don't want to learn English and too many English-speakers don't want to learn Spanish. And let's not forget the bevy of other languages that are lost in the debate.

All the other countries you reference are truly multilingual.

[Guest]

Yes, someone probably would mock it. Or be offended by it. There are some who just can't find enough things to be offended by.

But if they knew English, why not sing it in English? It's an American song being sung for an American audience. Unless...you're trying to make a point. And Coke wasn't clear what that point was.

Yes, Coke was trying to make a point that COKE is as universal as America.

Now, singing America the Beautiful in a different language is not singing it for English-speaking people. It is singing it so those that don't speak/understand English can have a part in it.

Your beef is you seem to think America the Beautiful should only be sung by Americans. Filipinos sing God Bless America and America the Beautiful to express our solidarity with America. But hey, if you don't want us to sing your song, I'll let them know you're offended by it. (you and you're used to refer to Americans).

[carlimac]

Ridiculous assumption!

We sing it in the Philippines and we sing God Save The King too. It is quite a popular song! And yes, we sing it in Filipino-accented English because, hey, we know how! The song is all about brotherhood. It has no borders (which is what I got out of the commercial - that Superbowl is not just an American sport). We send Filipino military to fight with American military just like America send American military to train Filipino military. And when our country is in trouble, we call the US for help.

And by the way, it's in the Hymnbook so I'm sure the LDS folks in the Philippines sing it in Sacrament meeting as well.

I said "Probably not." I have to admit I'm surprised anyone sings it in the Philippines. Why would they? And to my knowledge, I have never in over 50 yrs sung God Save the Queen in sacrament meeting. Not even when I lived in England.

[Windseeker]

Okay, so I just went and watched the commercial for the first time. I thought it was beautiful, but like Dravin said, it didn't necessarily make me feel warm and fuzzy. But I suppose the people who object to it being sung in another language also object to the non-Caucasians in the commercial. After all, this is America.

Why do you suppose that people who object to this also object to seeing non-Caucasians in the commercial?

[Guest]

I said "Probably not." I have to admit I'm surprised anyone sings it in the Philippines. Why would they? And to my knowledge, I have never in over 50 yrs sung God Save the Queen in sacrament meeting. Not even when I lived in England.

Because we're an American ally. We go to war for you guys. We celebrate Fil-Am Friendship Day on July 4. And we still hold "I Shall Return" by McArthur as one of our most important Quotes in history.

We sang God Save the King in our ward as recently as last year (November or December - somewhere there). Not Queen. King. Just like it is written in the hymnbook. I'm the person that waves her hand infront of the ward for sacrament hymns so I remember our songs well.

Edited February 7, 2014 by anatess

[pam]

Katie Bayne, president of Coca-Cola North America, explained in a statement why the company wanted to make the ad:

"For 127 years, Coca-Cola has been proud to be a part of bringing friends and families together while memories are made. ... With 'It’s Beautiful,' we are simply showing that America is beautiful, and Coke is for everyone."

Coke said the point of the 60-second commercial was to celebrate the country's diversity and showed people of different races and creeds hanging out with friends and family, as the song is delivered first in English, then in other tongues, including Spanish, Hindi and Tagalog.

[carlimac]

You made no mention that they were "suggestions." You posted: "Here's how it should be sung."

I don't see where I would ever get the idea that these are suggestions.

Because this is what people do when trying to make a point online. And most people understand the nuance and don't always speak literally.

*Running from incoming waterballoon*

[MarginOfError]

Well, when English is the official national language, I will stop mocking the outrage that is being put up over this commercial. Until then, this outrage is patently absurd.

[pam]

Because this is what people do when trying to make a point online. And most people understand the nuance and don't always speak literally.

*Running from incoming waterballoon*

Yet when speaking online in a forum such as this, you have to be more specific. All we have is written word to go by. Nothing else.

[carlimac]

Katie Bayne, president of Coca-Cola North America, explained in a statement why the company wanted to make the ad:

"For 127 years, Coca-Cola has been proud to be a part of bringing friends and families together while memories are made. ... With 'It’s Beautiful,' we are simply showing that America is beautiful, and Coke is for everyone."

Coke said the point of the 60-second commercial was to celebrate the country's diversity and showed people of different races and creeds hanging out with friends and family, as the song is delivered first in English, then in other tongues, including Spanish, Hindi and Tagalog.

I still don't get the point. Obviously, I'm not the only one. It's a stretch at best. Their attempt at good will got a bit garbled.

Better to just go back to "I'd Like the Teach the World to Sing."

[carlimac]

Well, when English is the official national language, I will stop mocking the outrage that is being put up over this commercial. Until then, this outrage is patently absurd.

Uh...it's not?

[MarginOfError]

Uh...it's not?

List of countries where English is an official language - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Please note the conspicuous absence of the United State of America from that list.

[Guest]

Uh...it's not?

It's not. There is nothing in the Constitution that establishes an Official Language. It is only assumed (de facto) as the Constitution is written in English.

Some States like Florida have an Official Language (English). Hawaii is unique as it has both English and Hawaiian as its Official Languages.

[pam]

Yet when speaking online in a forum such as this, you have to be more specific. All we have is written word to go by. Nothing else.

So happy you found this so funny Carlimac.

[carlimac]

I am pretty sure Coke is trying to sell Coke. That is their point.

As far as the song. You think people singing it in broken English would have been sufficient? I think that there would have then been talk of them learning proper English. The intro song to the Jeffersons was a song for Americans in America, but I doubt it would have received any flack. Yes, they are about different things, but just a song none the less. IMO - You are blowing this up out of nothing.

This is the kind of reaction I would expect out of other countries. The more I think of the outrage, I am ashamed of us.

I'm only outraged that we can't express our opinions without being made a criminal here. I'm NOT outraged about the commercial. I don't drink Coke. Never will. They failed at selling me their product but not because of their commercial. It's just nasty. (Pepsi on the other hand...) I love diversity. I love many people of different skin color. I have them in my family. I have traveled many parts of the world and enjoy many different cultures. I used to speak Spanish fluently (well sort of;) ). My parents used to host people from all over the world in our home- Columbia, Korea, Japan, Denmark, Nigeria, Hungary and more. I loved them all.

I just simply don't "get" the singing of America the Beautiful in other languages. What does that have to do with Coke?