"Sí, Se Puede Cambiar" (English translation: ''Yes, we can change'') is a song and music video created in support of Sen. Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign. However, the video has no official ties to the Obama campaign. The song was written by

Andres Useche Andres or Andrés may refer to: *Andres, Illinois, an unincorporated community in Will County, Illinois, US *Andres, Pas-de-Calais, a commune in Pas-de-Calais, France *Andres (name) *Hurricane Andres * "Andres" (song), a 1994 song by L7 See also ...

. The video, which features Useche performing, was directed by

Eric Byler Eric Byler (born January 15, 1972) is an American film director, screenwriter and political activist. Personal life Byler identifies as hapa biracial, born to a Chinese American mother and a white American father. He grew up in Virginia, Hawa ...

, Warren Fu and Andres Useche, and was released on February 22, 2008 on YouTube under the username "United For Obama". The video attracted national and international attention and through 2008 Andres Useche accepted invitations to do radio, newspaper and TV interviews in which he promoted Barack Obama's campaign. The phrase ''"

Sí se puede "Sí, se puede" (Spanish for "Yes, it is possible" or, roughly, "Yes, we can"; ) is the motto of the United Farm Workers of America, and has since been taken up by other activist groups. In 1972, during César Chávez's 25-day fast in Phoenix, ...

"'' originated with the United Farm Workers, which adopted it as the union's official slogan in 1972. It subsequently gained wider currency among other American labor unions and social justice activists.

Content

The original Spanish language music video, with English subtitles,Honolulu Star Bulletin: "Music video on Obama has Hawaii ties"
/ref> was the creation of a volunteer network of Obama supporters known as United For Obama. The creation and release of the video was originally intended to influence Spanish-speaking voters in the Texas democratic primary. The video, and song, criticizes the Bush administration while presenting Obama as the candidate for change in the

2008 election This electoral calendar 2008 lists the national/federal direct elections held in 2008 in the de jure and de facto sovereign states and their dependent territories. Referendums are included, even though they are not elections. By-elections are no ...

. The video features footage of Useche singing and performing on

acoustic guitar An acoustic guitar is a musical instrument in the string family. When a string is plucked its vibration is transmitted from the bridge, resonating throughout the top of the guitar. It is also transmitted to the side and back of the instrument, ...

, intercut with images critical of Bush—images intended to exemplify some of his failed policies, such as soldiers in Iraq and victims of

Hurricane Katrina Hurricane Katrina was a destructive Category 5 Atlantic hurricane that caused over 1,800 fatalities and $125 billion in damage in late August 2005, especially in the city of New Orleans and the surrounding areas. It was at the time the cost ...

, and images in support of Obama, such as volunteers at work for his campaign, and supporters at his political rallies. Personalities who appear in the video include

California State Senator The California State Senate is the upper house of the California State Legislature, the lower house being the California State Assembly. The State Senate convenes, along with the State Assembly, at the California State Capitol in Sacramento. ...

Gil Cedillo,

Wendy Carrillo Wendy Maria Carrillo Dono is an American politician serving in the California State Assembly. A Democratic Party (United States), Democrat, she represents the California's 51st State Assembly district, 51st State Assembly district, encompassing ...

, and actors Kelly Hu, Ken Leung and Kal Penn.

Viewership

Since the original posting on YouTube, the video has been re-posted a number of times by other users. On April 8, 2008, "Si Se Puede Cambiar" was chosen by YouTube to represent Obama in the first ever "Trendsetter Tuesday". The video was featured on the main page of the site along with videos about the other US presidential candidates. "Si Se Puede Cambiar" quickly reached 350,000 views and maintained a rating of 4/5 stars, beating the scores for the Clinton and McCain videos. The video had been watched in 193 countries. Versions of the video with subtitles in

German German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) **Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ger ...

French French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents ** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...

Chinese Chinese can refer to: * Something related to China * Chinese people, people of Chinese nationality, citizenship, and/or ethnicity **''Zhonghua minzu'', the supra-ethnic concept of the Chinese nation ** List of ethnic groups in China, people of va ...

, Vietnamese, Korean and Arabic have also been released.

Video production credits

*Written and performed by Andres Useche *Directed by Eric Byler, Warren Fu and Andres Useche. *Video produced by Annabel Park and Eric Byler *Edited by Warren Fu *Videography by Eric Byler, Diego Galindo, Amyn Kaderali, Jeff Man, David Hou, Annabel Park, and Rueben Aaronson. *Song recorded and mixed by Tom Von Doom *Video post supervision by Loni Pham.

Appearances

The following public figures are featured in the music video, either on newly shot video, archival footage, or still photographs (time indicates first appearance): *Andres Useche - 00:01 * César ChávezDallas Morning News: Trail Blazers
/ref> - 00:12 * Robert F. Kennedy - 00:17 *

George W. Bush George Walker Bush (born July 6, 1946) is an American politician who served as the 43rd president of the United States from 2001 to 2009. A member of the Republican Party, Bush family, and son of the 41st president George H. W. Bush, he ...

- 01:13 *

Dick Cheney Richard Bruce Cheney ( ; born January 30, 1941) is an American politician and businessman who served as the 46th vice president of the United States from 2001 to 2009 under President George W. Bush. He is currently the oldest living former U ...

- 01:16 *

John McCain John Sidney McCain III (August 29, 1936 – August 25, 2018) was an American politician and United States Navy officer who served as a United States senator from Arizona from 1987 until his death in 2018. He previously served two terms ...

- 01:22 * Barack Obama - 01:27 *

- 01:54 *

Annabel Park Annabel Park ( ko, 박수현) is a Korean Americans, Korean American documentary filmmaker, political activist and community volunteer. Early years Born in 1968 in Seoul, South Korea, Annabel immigrated to the United States with her family wh ...

- 01:58 * Gil Cedillo - * Ted Kennedy - 02:47 * Ken Leung - 03:21 * Kal Penn - 03:45 * Kelly Hu - 03:47 *

Michelle Obama Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama (born January 17, 1964) is an American attorney and author who served as first lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017. She was the first African-American woman to serve in this position. She is married t ...

- 04:05

References

External links

Official Obama for America site (Spanish) "Si se Puede Cambiar" (Archive)

Veja (In Portuguese): Internacional: Obama, o astro pop da corrida eleitoral americana
* * with Vietnamese subtitles * with Korean subtitles * {{DEFAULTSORT:Si Se Puede Cambiar 2008 songs Barack Obama 2008 presidential campaign Internet memes Music videos 2008 United States presidential election in popular culture Viral videos 2008 YouTube videos