World-famous rock stars Van Morrison and Eric Clapton are singing the coronavirus blues. Two of the most iconic classic rock stars are teaming together to help combat the devastating effects of the coronavirus pandemic the best way they know how: write a song about it. “Written by Morrison and performed by Clapton, ‘Stand And Deliver,’ will be available for download and streaming on Dec. 4” reports Billboard.
The song is intended to have proceeds benefiting Morrison’s Save Live Music campaign. Morrison has been “campaigning for a re-opening of performance venues at full capacity, with the statement noting that he ‘feels strongly’ that the ongoing lockdown presents an existential threat to the future of live music venues” according to Billboard.
This is not Morrison’s first attempt at taking a stand against the oppression brought against the musical world by coronavirus mandates. In recent months Morrison released three songs protesting the U.K. government lockdowns. The song titles speak for themselves: “Born To Be Free,” “As I Walked Out” and “No More Lockdown.” All three were released between September and October.
In a statement announcing his “protest anthems,” Morrison said, “I’m not telling people what to do or think, the government is doing a great job of that already.” The 75-year-old singer added, “it’s about freedom of choice, I believe people should have the right to think for themselves.”
Variety reports proceeds from “Stand and Deliver” will also benefit Morrison’s Lockdown Financial Hardship Fund, which aims to assist musicians who are struggling amid the coronavirus pandemic. Clapton showed his support in a statement to Variety, saying, “here are many of us who support Van and his endeavors to save live music; he is an inspiration.” Clapton added, “We must stand up and be counted because we need to find a way out of this mess. The alternative is not worth thinking about. Live music might never recover.”
