Thank you, Joe: I still believe You Get What You Give.
As President Biden’s term comes to a close, I can’t help but reflect on the challenges he faced and what I consider to be an incredibly successful four years. I was listening to 90’s on Nine (Sirius XM) earlier today and started singing along… This may be old news to many, but for those unfamiliar, I wanted to share the story behind the New Radicals’ "You Get What You Give"—a song with a deep connection to Biden’s family and a reminder of his resilience and hope.
During Beau Biden’s fight with brain cancer, this song became a source of comfort and strength for the Biden family. Beau often played it during breakfast, finding encouragement in lyrics like, “This whole damn world can fall apart. You’ll be OK, follow your heart.” After Beau passed, his sister Ashley even quoted the lyrics during his funeral.
To honor Beau’s memory, the New Radicals reunited after 22 years to perform the song at Biden’s inauguration in 2021. It was a powerful moment of hope, resilience, and unity—not just for the Bidens, but for a nation facing its own challenges.
Here’s the performance on YouTube:
It’s a touching reminder of the power of music and the strength it takes to lead with empathy and determination.