Stipe's rendition of the Joseph Arthur-penned "In the Sun" is bland and -- worse -- mopey; frankly, Stipe, the victims of Katrina couldn't give two shits about your two-bit malaise. Sad-sack white folk know what you mean when you sing "Everybody Hurts." A person who found his mother's corpse by the smell of it in the wreckage of her home might tell you to sit down and cheer up. Have a Coke and a smile, Stipe (along with your celebrity guests such as Chris Martin and will.i.am. Next time, think about quietly donating the proceeds of a hit single instead of releasing a self-indulgent public wankfest.
Fatwa! May "In the Sun" be the sunset of the charity song. May artists learn to do good works to get good feelings. It is written.