Brian Eno Urges Backing to Propel Together for Palestine Lullaby to UK Christmas No 1.
A charity drive is aiming to launch a Palestinian lullaby to the Christmas number one spot. The campaign seeks to send support to communities in Gaza while also highlighting Palestinian artistic heritage.
An Opportunity for Unity and an "Chart Upset"
Composer and producer Brian Eno, who performs on the track, stated that the song titled Lullaby represents a moment to show solidarity with Palestinians this festive season. He remarked the potential for an surprise number one.
“It would be fantastic if that occurred, yes,” he said. “I’m not gonna be completely let down if it doesn’t, Christmas singles are a thing unto themselves.”
Defiant Message of Freedom and Dignity
Palestinian singer Nai Barghouti, who performs on the reimagining of a folk song called Yamma Mwel El Hawa, explained the piece's resilient spirit.
“It has a very special place for many individuals,” Barghouti said. “The essence is that I would choose to perish with honor than live a life without freedom. That’s the main theme of the song; we seek to lead a dignified life that we merit as a people.”
Recording Origins and Contributing Musicians
The track was produced following a solidarity show held in September. First conceived to be done as a live recording, the performance was cut from the show due to scheduling overruns.
The diverse array of artists contributing to Lullaby features a group of acclaimed names from the scene. All participated in the benefit event, which managed to collect a significant sum for humanitarian aid.
Production and Release
Lullaby was brought to life by a team of music creators. The song features a mix of the original Arabic with new English lyrics.
The organizers behind the project have clarified that their aim is to collect the highest amount for a dedicated fund. These proceeds will be distributed to initiatives supporting Palestinians through an partnering humanitarian organization.
“We don’t have a fixed goal,” a spokesperson said. “We will pursue whatever we can get. Naturally, the greater the amount, the better. Every penny goes out to Gaza.”
The context in the region was noted for its extreme devastation, with a huge proportion of infrastructure said to be in ruins or severely impacted.
“Against that backdrop, a handful of millions won't make a massive dent. But I think the significant factor is primarily making this cause better known and demonstrating the human dimension of the story.”
The track is launching at the end of the week. Additionally, a complete film of the benefit event will be made ready to watch on a popular streaming site from the 19th of December.