Young local musicians Ariel, Zoey & Eli release video for anti-bullying song
Eli, Ariel and Zoey Engelbert with Jim Peterik
photo courtesy of Matt Engelbert
"Hey Bully" was written for the trio by Jim Peterik, a longtime music pro who founded the bands Survivor (for which he co-wrote the massive 1982 hit "Eye of the Tiger") and, earlier, The Ides of March (for which he wrote the AOR staple "Vehicle"). The "Hey Bully" video was shot Aug. 11 at Ypsilanti High School and features dance/cheer athletes from Premiere Athletics Michigan.
Twins Ariel and Zoey Engelbert (now age 13) have been performing in public for several years now, most recently also joined by younger brother Eli (11). The trio star in the syndicated kids' show "Ariel & Zoey & Eli, Too," a variety program that airs nationallly at 4:30 p.m. weekdays on TheCoolTV.
Here's the new video:
Audio of the song is available as a download from iTunes and CDBaby.
For more on AZE, check out their website. And check out past AnnArbor.com coverage of AZE here.
Bob Needham is director of entertainment content for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at bobneedham@annarbor.com or 734-623-2541, and follow him on Twitter @bobneedham.
Comments
klatte
Fri, Sep 7, 2012 : 1:11 p.m.
My four year old saw this trio perform "Hey Bully" at the summer festival this year and it really made an impact on her. Last night she told me about some mean girls in her kindergarten class who were picking on another girl, and then she told me "I couldn't stop thinking of that song." I'm sorry she has to be part of that situation, but I was kind of glad she had the song to frame what was happening. I'll download it.
Wonderin'
Sat, Sep 1, 2012 : 7:37 p.m.
The song is catchy and performed well, however as well-intended as it may be, it expresses a mixed message. The spoken portion of the song is the strongest section because it advises people about how to stand up to bullying and how to help when they see others being bullied. Most of the other lyrics insult bullies by saying they have mental problems and by using name calling ("Loser!"), which are tactics commonly used by bullies. It would be interesting to know how young people respond to the song, especially bullies. Would it influence them to change their ways?