"Speaking Moistly" is a remix song of Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau's voice edited by Brock Tyler, known on YouTube as anonymotif.[1] It is based on Trudeau's words from a press conference regarding the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada.[2][3][4] The quote "speaking moistly" refers to respiratory droplets that are spit out when one speaks, which can potentially spread COVID-19.
| "Speaking Moistly" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Anonymotif | ||||
| Released | 8 April 2020 | |||
| Genre | Synth-pop, remix | |||
| Length | 1:46 | |||
| Composer(s) | Brock Tyler | |||
| Lyricist(s) | Justin Trudeau | |||
| Anonymotif singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Audio sample | ||||
"Speaking Moistly" | ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Speaking Moistly" on YouTube | ||||
Original speech
editIn the speech on 7 April 2020, Trudeau states that he is not a medical expert. He encourages Canadians to avoid going out, practice social distancing by staying two metres apart, wash their hands and cough into their elbows to prevent spreading COVID-19. He further clarifies, based on advice from Theresa Tam, "If people want to wear a mask, that is okay. It protects others more than it protects you, because it prevents you from breathing or... or... speaking, uh... 'moistly' on them."[5] He immediately regrets his word choice and says, "Ugh, what a terrible image."[6][7][8]
Opposition leader Andrew Scheer also used the phrase "speaking moistly" in a speech on 14 April 2020.[9][10]
Reception
editBrock Tyler, an Edmonton musician, auto-tuned clips of the speech to a 1980s-style synth-pop instrumental he composed and uploaded a music video to YouTube on 8 April 2020.[1] Within 24 hours, the song had gone viral and been watched over a million times on YouTube.[11][1] Reception to the song was positive. Daily Hive stated the remix was an "unbelievably epic song."[12] iHeartRadio called it "the next chart topping hit."[13] CBC News wrote "The '80s style synth tune has a catchy beat but the lyrics and chorus about "speaking moistly" might make people cover their ears as well as their faces."[2] Narcity called the song "hilarious".[4] The Loop called the song "an epic gift from the internet gods."[14] Exclaim! wrote the song is a "club banger" and "a hit."[15]
Trudeau himself praised the song on Twitter, saying, "Thanks for the laugh... it’s my new hand-washing song."[16]
Covers
editThe song was covered by Toronto ska band the Classy Wrecks. The band's guitarist and vocalist, Daniel Mager, told Narcity, "When I had heard the original version of "Speaking Moistly", it was instantly stuck in my head and thought that it needed to be a part of our Socially Acceptable Distancing Sessions. I think that we as Canadians have the responsibility to try our best to stay at home when possible, "Speaking Moistly" really helps relay this information in an entertaining way."[17]
The song was also covered by Ottawa heavy metal band Infrared. The lead singer of Infrared told Brave Words, "We just couldn't stop laughing. He actually used Justin Trudeau to sing the song, which we thought was super funny. We thought the tune was so catchy we were just like, wouldn't this be awesome?"[18]
Acoustic versions of the song have been uploaded to YouTube, including by singer Andrew Phelan. HuffPost wrote Phelan "turned the track into an upbeat, guitar-lick driven bop that actually sort of slaps."[19]
On 1 July 2020 (Canada Day), David Usher from the Canadian alt-rock band Moist and Toronto-based Odin Quartet released their version of "Speaking Moistly" on YouTube.[20]
Track listing
editDigital download[21]
- "Speaking Moistly" – 1:46
See also
edit- Get on the Beers, a similar remix of a quote by Australian state premier Dan Andrews
References
edit- ^ a b c Liu, Karon (April 9, 2020). "He's the Edmonton musician behind Justin Trudeau's viral 'music video'". The Toronto Star. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
- ^ a b "Edmonton musician riffs on Justin Trudeau's cringe-worthy 'speaking moistly' gaffe". CBC News. April 12, 2020. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
- ^ "Edmonton artist auto-tunes PM's 'speaking moistly' comments". CityNews Toronto. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
- ^ a b Belmonte, Lisa (April 9, 2020). "Justin Trudeau's 'Speaking Moistly' Moment Was Turned Into A Song & It's Hilarious". Narcity Media. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
- ^ Tasker, John Paul (April 7, 2020). "Canada's top doctor says she'll wear a mask when physical distancing isn't possible". CBC News. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
- ^ "Trudeau responds to question about wearing non-medical masks". Toronto Star. YouTube. April 7, 2020. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
- ^ "PM Trudeau provides update on federal response to COVID-19". CPAC. YouTube. April 7, 2020. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
- ^ "Trudeau says "Speaking moistly" during update and immediately regrets it". Your Morning. CTV. April 8, 2020. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
- ^ Maloney, Ryan (April 14, 2020). "Andrew Scheer Defends Flying With Family To Ottawa, Says Nobody Was 'Speaking Moistly'". HuffPost. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
- ^ "Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer on federal response to COVID-19". CPAC. YouTube. April 14, 2020.
- ^ "Justin Trudeau saying 'speaking moistly' is so cringey it spawned a viral remix". CBC News. April 9, 2020. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
- ^ "Someone turned Trudeau's "speaking moistly" comments into an unbelievably epic song (Video)". Daily Hive. April 8, 2020. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
- ^ Foster, James (April 9, 2020). "Trudeau's 'Speaking Moistly' Comment is Now a Song". I Heart Radio. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
- ^ Estima, Christine (April 9, 2020). "Someone made a dance remix of PM Trudeau's 'speaking moistly' gaffe and it is epic". The Loop. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
- ^ Gregory, Allie (April 9, 2020). "Somebody Turned Justin Trudeau's "Moistly" Speech into a Club Banger". Exclaim!. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
- ^ @JustinTrudeau (2020-04-12). "@brocktyler Thanks for the laugh... it's my new hand-washing song" (Tweet). Retrieved 2020-05-17 – via Twitter.
- ^ Belmonte, Lisa (April 21, 2020). "A Toronto Ska Band's Ode To 'Speaking Moistly' Is Canada's New Anthem". Narcity Media. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
- ^ "Ottawa's Infrared Creates Metal Version of Viral Hit "Speaking Moistly" Mocking Canadian Prime Minister Justin Truduea". Brave Words. April 18, 2020. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
- ^ Woods, Melanie (April 10, 2020). "Justin Trudeau Saying 'Moistly' Was Auto-Tuned. Now There Are Acoustic Covers". HuffPost. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
- ^ @moistonline (1 July 2020). "Speaking Moistly (This had to be done) via @YouTube @davidusher @theheadstones…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Speaking Moistly - Single by Anonymotif on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 20 April 2021.