Speech collections in Speakola newsletter

Speakola has a substack that publishes a couple of editions per week. You can be a free or a paid subscriber and find all these old editions in the archive.

8 great speeches about Australian football, #60, September 2021

5 famous speeches about 9-11, #59, September, 2021

9 beautiful eulogies for a husband or a wife, #58, September 2021

12 famous speeches by conservatives, #57, August 2021

8 memorable speeches from Olynmpians or about the Olympics, #56, July 2021

7 amazing speakers who have knocked me back for the podcast, #55, July 2021

9 feminist speeches from women fighting for women, #54, June 2021

9 speeches all delivered on the 8th of June, #53, June 2021

10 historic eve of battle speeches, #52, May 2021

8 great speeches by British politicians, #51, April 2021

7 storytelling speeches, from The Moth to the salon, #50, April 2021

9 of the best wedding speeches ever, #49, March 2021

9 great protest speeches of the civil rights era, #48, March 2021

10 of the best: a speech for each decade of the 20th century, #47, February 2021

25 best speeches of 2020, speeches of the year, #46 December 2020

15 speeches that inspired this year’s podcast episodes, #45, December 2020

6 of the all time greatest protest speeches, #42, October 2020

5 speeches about courage, #41, September 2020

7 amazing speeches by great debaters, #40, September 2020

8 brilliant speeches about the arts and why we need them, #37, July 2020

7 inspiring speeches from great orators in tough times, #36, July 2020

8 of the best commencement speeches of all time, #34, June 2020

5 powerful speeches about racism, #33, June 2020

7 beautiful speeches for mothers and Mothers Day, #32, May 2020

Speakola has a podcast and speeches of Damian Callinan, #31, May 2020

5 speeches chosen by ABC Conversations for Speakola episode, #30, May 2020

13 speeches from dark times in history, #28, March 2020

9 famous speeches with audience participation, #27, February 2020

25 best speeches of 2019, speeches of the year, #26, December 2019

6 speeches from the sixties, #25, October 2019

6 knockout speeches by a best man or maid of honour, #24, May 2019

8 funny speeches to make you laugh, #23. May 2019

20 of the most memorable Oscars speeches, #21, February 2019

19 rockin speeches by musicians or about music, #20, February 2019

25 best speeches of 2018, speeches of the year, #19, January 2019

9 speeches to celebrate Mark Twain award and comedy, #17, November 2018

13 of the greatest courtroom speeches in history , #16, July 2018

12 speeches about war and battle, #15, April 2018

12 speeches for gun control, #14, March 2018

12 classic speeches from the Academy Awards, #13, February 2018

12 great speeches with no unifying theme, #12, February 2018

10 speeches that should be more famous, #11, September 2017

10 favourite speeches delivered in the month of July, #10, July 2017

Top 7 commencement speeches of this year and of all time, #9, June 2017

13 speeches for International Women’s Day, #8, March 2017

12 outstanding speeches without a theme, #7, November 2016

10 more great speeches, no theme, #6, September 2015

16 speeches for Speakola’s first birthday edition, #6, August 2016

12 speech recommendations, #5, April 2016

10 unforgettable Oscars speeches, #4, February 2016

5 speeches about racism and a few that aren’t, #3 February 2016

Speakolies awards, best speeches of the year 2015, #2 January 2016

Welcome to Speakola newsletter! #1, December 2015

25 Best Speeches of 2020

This is the third year we’ve compiled an end of year list of great speeches, following 2018 and 2019. When I say we, it is just me, Tony Wilson, and a great speech is in the eye and ear of the beholder, and I accept that what excites, moves, motivates, amuses me is a subjective thing, and so like all such lists, this might just be egocentric twaddle. Especially when you consider the folly of trying to rank an athlete’s funeral against a music hall of fame speech against a political diatribe. But it is kinda fun, and there is an objective nature as well to good speech making, around word choice, rhythm, emotion, delivery, interaction with audience and coherence of thought and argument. It’s been a rotten and tragic year for much of the world, and the COVID and BLM centric themes this year reflect a year of disease and disharmony, with some light peeking through too of course. It’s actually been a good year for the website, the Speakola podcast has been so much fun to make, as we feature a speech and a speaker each episode to tell the story of a speech. If you’d tweet or share this list, it is one post that helps promote the site and the project, so that would be much appreciated. Happy New Year everyone. Looking forward to a better 2021 - and remember, this is the greatest new year speech of all time.

Like all people who don’t know how to construct lists like this, I’ve started with the winner.

1. Killer Mike’s press conference during Atlanta protests, ‘It is your duty not to burn your house down’

As someone from outside the rap world, I would have bet against someone called Killer Mike delivering two of the greatest speeches I heard this year, but it happened, and he’s now my most coveted guest for the podcast. What a speaking talent! His MC job for Bernie Sanders was the one that caught my attention, the transcendent ‘Time is Now’ call and response that became a campaign ad, but this one is just a heartbreaker. A plea with his fellow Atlantans not to burn the house down in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death, and a cry for change. Killer Mike is a speechmaking genius.

“So, I’m duty bound to be here to simply say that it is your duty not to burn your own house down for anger with an enemy. It is your duty to fortify your own house so that you may be a house of refuge in times of organization. Now is the time to plot, plan, strategize, organize, and mobilize.”

Full text and video.

2.  Joe Biden’s Victory speech, ‘This is the time to heal America’

It was a relief to hear a president-elect talk about healing, peace, building bridges … it was a relief to hear a President-elect talk about people other than himself. And it was a beautiful speech, credit to the speechwriters, who did the healing stuff well, rolled in a lovely reflective phrase and finished with biblical wings of eagles. A profound and emotional moment.

“Tonight, the whole world is watching America. I believe at our best America is a beacon for the globe. And we lead not by the example of our power, but by the power of our example.”

Full text and video

3. Vanessa Bryant’s eulogy for Kobe and Gianna, ‘Babe you take care of our Gigi’

Michael Jordan’s eulogy for Kobe Bryant was beautiful too, but this one was the heartbreaker.  Vanessa Bryant, with the unthinkable task of having to farewell and pay tribute to a daughter and husband in the same speech, did it with such emotional poise and skill. She somehow managed to include the world in her grief, a prodigious feat of speaking in the most difficult times.

“Babe, you take care of our Gigi. And I got Nani, Bibi and Coco. We're still the best team. We love and miss you, Boo-Boo and GiGi. May you both rest in peace and have fun in Heaven until we meet again one day. We love you both, and miss you, forever and always. Mommy.”

Full text and video

4. Jacqui Lambie’s speech, University Fees Bill, ‘They’ll keep winning and we’ll keep losing’

This passionate, indignant, personal, brilliant speech by the Tasmanian senator gets this website’s vote as the greatest speech by an Australian in 2020. In a speech opposing the Morrison government’s latest hike to tertiary fees, Lambie talks about the tertiary divide, the idea that kids in the part of the country she represents don’t believe university is an option, because it is out of reach – it’s not even on the radar. Her ability to eyeball a chamber, to speak out against privilege, to hold true to her roots and her constituency, made this a moving speech, up with her classic relating to welfare.

“I can live with the way I'm voting. I'll hold my head up high and if I lose votes for it, I'll lose them with pride. If I lose my seat, I'll lose it with pride. I didn't get into politics to hinder the futures of people or our kids—I'm here to help. If the price of staying in politics is betraying the people I'm here for, I'll leave with grace. My future isn't worth more than theirs.”

Full transcript with highlight video

5. Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s speech for the 75th anniversary of WW2, ‘At the time we were liberated, now we must liberate ourselves’

This is an epic speech, a beautiful treatise from the President on Germany’s reckoning in the post war years, the dark and evil history that it has owned as a democracy, and its extraordinary achievements across the last 75 years. It’s a speech filled with gratitude towards the nations that allowed Germany’s transformation to occur, its former foes. It also warns against a growing xenophobia and hate speech in the current climate. I didn’t read a better speech than this this year, for me it was an emotional experience. A shame it was covid robbed of an audience.

“It is only because we Germans look our past in the face and because we accept our historic responsibility that the peoples of the world have come to trust our country once more.”

Full translated transcript and video

6. Alexandria Occasio-Cortez, response to remarks by Ted Yoho, ‘I am someone’s daughter too’

AOC has proven over several years now to be as formidable a debater as there is on the national stage. She is fluent, logical, and devastatingly methodical in her take downs. This one began as a response to personal abuse she received from Yoho, but became a greater statement about women and men, and the abuse women routinely receive. One of the most shared speeches of the year.

“I will not stay up late at night waiting for an apology from a man who has no remorse over calling women and using abusive language towards women, but what I do have issue with is using women, our wives and daughters, as shields and excuses for poor behavior. Mr. Yoho mentioned that he has a wife and two daughters. I am two years younger than Mr. Yoho’s youngest daughter. I am someone’s daughter too.”

Video and transcript 

7. Queen Elizabeth II’s address to nation on COVID-19, ‘We will meet again’

Her Majesty’s televised ‘we will succeed’ speech was not just superbly written and well delivered, it contained what almost no other world leader on earth could have mustered, a ‘we’ll meet again’ echo to a speech that SHE delivered during the worst of the Blitz in WW2. It was steadying, motivating, and I thought, quite moving.

“It reminds me of the very first broadcast I made, in 1940, helped by my sister. We, as children, spoke from here at Windsor to children who had been evacuated from their homes and sent away for their own safety. Today, once again, many will feel a painful sense of separation from their loved ones. But now, as then, we know, deep down, that it is the right thing to do.”

Video and transcript.

8. Trevor Noah’s The Daily Show monologue on BLM and the broken contract of society, ‘A man was having his life taken in front of our eyes’

A speech for the year, that touches on the issues of the year. It feels largely unrehearsed, a rolling, ad lib rumination on the Black Lives Matter protests, the issues at the heart, the looting that followed, and the contract of society that is failing black people. The transcript on this one is machine generated and needs a polish when I get the time. It needs to be watched more than read anyway.  Incredible.

“There is no contract if law and people in power don't uphold their end of it and that's the thing. I think people don't understand sometimes is that Is that we need people at the top to be the most accountable because they are the ones who are basically setting the tone and the tenor for everything that we do in society.”

Video and text

9. Ricky Gervais Opening Monologue at Golden Globes, ‘No one cares about movies anymore’

Gervais goes hard, every year, and offends some, amuses many, and seems to always get invited back by the Golden Globes. This one was a pillar of irreverence, the in memoriam joke was especially memorable, and he expressed what a lot of non Hollywood types think of Hollywood.

“So if you do win an award tonight, don't use it as a platform to make a political speech. You're in no position to lecture the public about anything. You know nothing about the real world. Most of you spent less time in school than Greta Thunberg.”

Full text and transcript

10. Jacinda Ardern’s announcement of New Zealand’s Stage 4 COVID-19 restrictions, ‘Right now we have a window of opportunity’

The NZ Prime Minister has impressed on the speech front before, especially after the Christchurch mosque shooting. This was a type of speech that was delivered around the world this year, but nobody did it better than Ardern. It was short and yet it had important detail without trying to deal with every question, and the message was clear, urgent, and hopeful – with  a nod to the compassion all New Zealanders needed to show.

“I have one final message. Be kind. I know people will want to act as enforcers. And I understand that, people are afraid and anxious. We will play that role for you. What we need from you, is support one another. Go home tonight and check in on your neighbours. Start a phone tree with your street. Plan how you'll keep in touch with one another. We will get through this together, but only if we stick together. Be strong and be kind.”

Video and transcript

11. Meyne Wyatt monlogue on Q & A, ‘I don’t want to sit down’

Many of the great Black Lives Matters speeches in 2020 were from the USA, but in early June, Australian actor Meyne Wyatt seized what is often the ‘music spot’ on the ABC’s Q & A to deliver a monologue that ripped the issue into an Australian context. Racism as experienced now. An indelible stain. Angry and poetic. An unforgettable few minutes.

“You go to weddings we go to funerals.
No, no, no, you're not your ancestors, it's not your fault you have white skin, but you do benefit from it.
You can be OK. I have to be exceptional. I mess up, I'm done. There's no path back for me. There's no road to redemption. Being black and successful comes at a cost. You take a hit whether you like it or not. Because you want your blacks quiet and humble.
You can't stand up, you have to sit down.”

Text and video

12. Kamala Harris’s victory speech, ‘While I may be the first woman in this office, I won’t be the last’

Kamala Harris’s ground-breaking election as vice-President was marked by an excellent, emotional speech, that nodded to history, and to the family that helped to get her there.

“When she came here from India at the age of 19, she maybe didn’t quite imagine this moment. But she believed so deeply in an America where a moment like this is possible. And so, I’m thinking about her and about the generations of women — Black women, Asian, White, Latina, Native American women who throughout our nation’s history have paved the way for this moment tonight.”

Video and transcript

13. Dwayne The Rock Johnson’s eulogy for father Rocky Johnson, ‘The show must go on’

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson was the source of two of the great speeches of 2020, one political, his ‘where are you’ critique of Trump in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death, and one personal, an emotional tribute to father Rocky. It’s the eulogy that goes into the list here, and it’s one of the great eulogies. He has an actor’s poise, an actor’s control of pace of delivery, and a son’s raw words and emotion. Five stars.

“You know how you have those moments and you try and shake yourself out of it. You're like, "No, it's not a dream. My dad's gone." And in that moment I just thought, "Well, what do I need to do? What's the next thing that I need to do?" And I heard a voice say, "Well, hey, the show must go on." And that was my dad. That was my old man who told me that.”

Text and video

14. Barack Obama’s eulogy for John Lewis, ‘Founding father of that fuller, fairer, better, America”

He’s appeared in many of our end of year lists, because for finding the right words and notes and that churchly rhythm, Obama is the master. This was a speaker of immense talent, talking about one of his heroes, and the nation’s heroes. Veered expertly from the freedom rider’s life lived, into political vision for a better America. One of his best.

‘And that’s what John Lewis teaches us. That’s where real courage comes from. Not from turning on each other, but by turning towards one another. Not by sowing hatred and division, but by spreading love and truth. Not by avoiding our responsibilities to create a better America and a better world, but by embracing those responsibilities with joy and perseverance and discovering that in our beloved community, we do not walk alone.”

Video and transcript

15. Michael Holding’s pre Test match comments on race, ‘The dehumanisation of the black race is where it started’

An incredible pre match Sky Sports monologue by the great West Indian fast bowler, who dived into history, white privilege, and the psychology of racism at a time when it felt like the world was burning in June and July of this year.  He also produced a special with Ebony Rainford-Brent on similar themes.

“Until we do that and educate the entire human race, this thing will not stop. We need to teach and re-educate, as a lot of black people in this world are growing up believing that they are lesser than other people and that cannot be right.”

Full transcript and video

16. Angela Merkel’s televised address to nation on COVID-19, ‘I firmly believe that we will pass this test’

Of all the ‘virus speeches’ this year, the German Chancellor’s had gravitas, information and clear instruction. She called the COVID threat the greatest challenge Germany had faced since WW2 and spoke to themes of unity and individual and collective sacrifice. Note that the tone and optics here are ‘wartime leader’ and  ‘grave threat’. Merkel’s Christmas speech about the calamity unfolding in Germany was also moving.

“I firmly believe that we will pass this test if all citizens genuinely see this as THEIR task. Allow me therefore to say that this is serious. Please also take this seriously. Since German reunification, no, since the Second World War, there has not been a challenge for our country in which action in a spirit of solidarity on our part was so important.”

Text and video

17. George W Bush’s message of hope about COVID-19, ‘This is a challenging and solemn time in the life of our nation and world’

In the USA, there was a lack of a presidential message of hope and unity in the early days of the pandemic, and in the end one came from an ex-president. George W Bush, who delivered a short, emotional monologue, with images and musical backing, that drew on his own moment of reckoning in September 2001, and asked Americans to care for themselves and each other.

Even at an appropriate social distance, we can find ways to be present in the lives of others, to ease their anxiety and share their burdens. Third, let’s remember that the suffering we experience as a nation does not fall evenly. In the days to come it will be especially important to care in practical ways for the elderly, the ill and the unemployed.

Text and video

18. Mariann Edgar Budde speaking to CNN about Trump bible photo shoot, ‘The President did not pray when he came to St John’s’

This was a media performance of immense skill, a controlled fury from Bishop Budde about her church being used for a presidential Bible photo shoot at the height of the Black Lives Matters protests. Police cleared crowds with tear gas, and it was the worst type of political stunt. Budde laid it bare on CNN in a memorable monologue.

“I am outraged.
The President did not pray when he came to St John’s.
Nor did he acknowledge the agony of our country right now.
And in particular, that of the people of colour in our nation, who wonder if anyone ever … if anyone in power will ever acknowledge their sacred work, and who are rightfully demanding an end to four hundred years of systemic racism and white supremacy in our nation.”

Video and transcript

19. Joaquin Phoenix’s Oscars acceptance speech, ‘I have been a scoundrel in my life’

Phoenix delivered an impassioned speech at the BAFTAs about the lack of black actors and directors being recognised, and then followed up with this magnificent effort a few weeks later.  Finishes with a lyric River Phoenix wrote. Includes a paragraph on insemination of cows. Wasn’t your standard Oscars speech, and we benefitted from that.

I think that we've become very disconnected from the natural world, and many of us, what we're guilty of is an egocentric worldview -- the belief that we're the center of the universe. We go into the natural world, and we plunder it for its resources.’

Video and transcript

20. Paul Kelly’s tribute to Chris Wilson at Music Victoria awards, ‘Yes, he was a man of multitudes’

Kelly is loved as a singer-songwriter in his native Australia, and for his departed friend and fellow musical giant, Chris Wilson, he hit every note. The induction speech reads as a eulogy, opening with Walt Whitman and Dylan, and using that word, ‘multitudes’ to thematically guide the paragraphs that follow. Has the rhythm of a great song.

“Listen to him kick off me and my band at the start of my song, Dumb Things."What sound is that?", many people have asked me. And, listen to his aching suspenseful play out at the end of our cover of Australian Crawl's, Reckless. It's hard to believe that it's one person squeezing out those sounds.”

Text and video

21. Donald Trump’s speech at Mount Rushmore, Independence Day, “We believe that our children should be taught to love their country”

I dislike Trump, and have not promoted many of his speeches, beyond those that are historically significant. But I accept that more than 70 million people voted for him, and Trump supporters have consistently promoted this as one of his best speeches. I put it up with mixed feelings as part of the historic record. He was a significant figure this year, and this, at least, was a written speech with some historical references, cultivated to make a general point about statues, monuments, American exceptionalism, and the tyranny of the left.

“We want free and open debate, not speech codes and cancel culture.”

Video and transcript

22. Marshawn Lynch press conference about players securing futures, ‘Take care of yo chicken’

Speakola loves an offbeat, unexpected sporting speech, and there may never be one to rival an English rugby player taking on the personality of a horse last year. This one was great too, the famously taciturn Lynch suddenly expanding on an issue completely outside the one he was being asked about, and urging young players to ‘take care of yo chicken’ and ‘take care of yo mentals’ The point seemed to be that playing contracts are short, and athletes need to set themselves up. I want the T shirt.

“So, while y’all at it right now, take care y’all bodies, take care y’all chicken, ya feel me, take care y’all mentals, cuz little we ain’t lasting that long. So start taking care of y’all mentals, y’all bodies and y’all chicken. And when y’all ready to walk away, you walk away and be able to do what you want to do.”

text and video

23. Gabriel Sterling condemning threats against election officials, ‘Someone is going to get killed’

This ad lib from a Georgia voting system implementation manager was equal parts brilliant and disturbing as he vented against the people who were making threats against every level of his electoral staff. He asked for it to stop, and he did it with passion and emotion.

“Mr. President, you have not condemned these actions or this language. Senators, you have not condemned this language or these actions. This has to stop. We need you to step up, and if you're going to take a position of leadership, show some.”

Transcript and video

24. Cori Bush’s victory speech for Missouri Congressional District , ‘I was running …’

That rare moment where you hear a speaker for the first time who just has ‘it’, from the gripping personal anecdote that opens the speech to the soaring ad lib of the second half. For tempo and energy, almost Obama-like, which is a fair compliment for a young woman who has just become the first black congresswoman in Missouri history.

‘I was running … I was that person running for my life across a parking lot, running from an abuser. I remember hearing bullets whizz past my head and at that moment I wondered: “How do I make it out of this life?”

Transcript and video

25. Richard Fejo’s Welcome to Country, AFL Indigenous Round, ‘Ayyyyyy!!!!’

A spinetingler from a man who is accustomed to the pulpit, and took that to the sporting arena and lit up the Darwin sports ground with his voice and charisma. The bit where he rattles off the indigenous groups from around the country is electrifying.

“I want to welcome the Yamatji, I want to welcome the Noongas, I want to welcome the Kooris, the Murris the Nungars, I want to welcome our brothers and sisters from Tasmania, and I want to welcome our Torres Strait Islander brothers and sisters, and indigenous people from all around the world, and I want to welcome our non-indigenous people to Darwin and Larrakia country, Ayyyyyyyyyy!!!”

Transcript and video

26. David Parkin’s eulogy for John Kennedy, ‘John was always embarrassed by the accolades from others’

For the second time in three years, our list of 25 has 26 speeches. This one is a personal nod to a family friend delivering a eulogy for a football icon. My dad Ray Wilson played alongside David Parkin, under John Kennedy, and his philosophies have to some extent trickled down to inform my philosophies too. It was a sad day when we finally lost John this year, and David did a brilliant job. It was a speech in part informed by Parkin’s testimonial speech from 1977 that is also on the site.

“I sincerely hope that John Kennedy is never forgotten by players, coaches, administrators and members at Hawthorn, for being reminded of Kennedy is being reminded also of what Hawthorn is all about.”

Hawthorn fans might enjoy my book about the 1989 Grand Final, that came out in 2020. I also have more than a dozen picture books which you can find on my site (Harry Highpants is a popular choice)

27. Desiree Barnes plea to NYC looters during protests, ‘You f***ing think this is a protest!’

Whoops, there’s a 27 too. As this speech went viral, it emerged that Barnes was an Obama staffer, and in this moment of indignation and rage for her neighbourhood, she summoned an Obama like eloquence. In some ways, it was even better than a stage scripted speech, because it rolled with passion and expletives and incredible camera work. This should be higher. Who am I kidding?

“These are fucking people who live in public housing. And you just made a fucking melee.
You took down bus routes. There are people who live in this neighbourhood who have to go back uptown to work!”

Transcript and video

So that is the list. Feel free to send your feedback, and your suggestions, because the annual list has proved a good jumping off point for all the gems I’ve missed. It’s a regrettable fact that American and Australian speeches arrive under my nose more regularly, and I’d love the offerings to be more global, and translations to English are very welcome. Transcripts that are already sourced help me a lot.

Please share the list on social media (Speakola facebook, or @speakola_ on twitter)  To submit a favourite, or yours, email submissions@speakola.com.

This site has no revenues, (save a podcast sponsorship by Greenskin Avocados) and is my love project. If you’d like to book me to talk great communication and speeches to your organisation or institution, send an email via http://tonywilson.com.au.. Melbourne based.

Have a wonderful and eloquent 2021!

Best wishes

Tony Wilson @byTonyWilson

http://speakola.com

www.tonywilson.com.au

Six speeches featured on Richard Fidler's Conversations

Was thrilled to feature on Richard Fidler’s ABC Conversations show on 4th May 2020. I know Richard from long ago. He was the host of a show called Race Around the World and I was one of the globetrotting, camera wielding contestants who travelled solo to ten countries in one hundred days to shoot a mini documentary in each for national broadcast.
But this was a chat about Speakola. Here are the speeches we talked about.

Eulogy for Chris Daffey,’I’m not ready for goodbyes when the jokes have run out’, January 2014

This site wouldn't have happened without this speech, as Richard and I discussed. Daff was the funniest, most generous, most caring person I knew. I remember the tears pouring onto the keyboard as I wrote this. I miss him a great deal.

"The gift I mentioned on facebook this week is probably the one that means the most to us. When Tam was pregnant with our first, Daff barracked so hard for Polly to be born on his birthday, and when she was, he went around the streets of Melbourne, taking photos to give her so she could know what her city looked like that day. He also gave her newspaper front pages. They were the 24th of January twins, separated 35 years to the day. He even photoshopped his own head on to a baby’s body to put it in his ‘Daff box’. When’s going to be the right day to give her that box, Daff? I can’t believe this is happening."

Jacinda Adern: ‘You may have chosen us, but we utterly reject and condemn you;’ Christchurch attack press conference, 2019.

She has the knack. For sincerity, economy of words, strong messaging, simple clear sentences, and empathy. In this speech she manages to sound strong in the response to the outrage, and sympathetic to the plight of victims. Her speeches in parliament and at the memorial are fantastic too.

"We are a proud nation of more than 200 ethnicities, 160 languages. And amongst that diversity we share common values. And the one that we place the currency on right now -- and tonight -- is our compassion and support for the community of those directly affected by this tragedy. "

Leonard Cohen, ‘How I found my song’, Prince of Asturias Awards, 2012

A beautiful speech about a great artist finding his voice, and then his song. Cohen talks about a Spanish busker /guitarist in Montreal and the impact he had on his musicianship and his life. Just beautiful, with notes of tragedy throughout.

" I inhaled the fragrance of cedar as fresh as the first day that I acquired the guitar. And a voice seemed to say to me, "You are an old man and you have not said thank you; you have not brought your gratitude back to the soil from which this fragrance arose." And so I come here tonight to thank the soil and the soul of this people that has given me so much -- because I know just as an identity card is not a man, a credit rating is not a country. "

Jon Stewart, ‘They responded in five seconds’, Address to Congress on behalf of First Responders, 2019



Richard likes this speech, and let's face it, it's basically perfect. We made it best speech of 2019. It's amazing, from beginning to end. The shaming of Congress, the tears as he mentions the prayer cards instead of business cards. This is an evisceration of politics as usual. 10 billion dollars was committed within three months.

" Al Qaeda didn't shout ‘death to Tribecca!’. They attacked America, and these men and women, and their response to it is what brought our country back, it's what gave a reeling nation a solid foundation to stand back upon, to remind us of why this country is great, of why this country is worth fighting for, and you are ignoring them. "

Robert de Niro, ‘You made it, and now you’re f*cked’, commencement to TISCH school, 2015

There;s a swagger to this one, as Richard points out, the first thing he does when he gets onto stage is blow his nose! But it's fun to hear the stories of the great artists doing it hard early, and then triumphing. Brilliant stories, and delivery.

"Thank you for inviting me to celebrate with you today. TISCH graduates, you made it! And you’re fucked. Think about that. The graduates from the college of nursing, they all have jobs. The graduates from the college of dentistry, fullyemployed. The Leonard M Stern School of Business graduates, they’re covered. The School of Medicine graduates, each one will get a job. The proud graduates of the NY School of Law, they’re covered, and if they’re not, who cares? They’re lawyers. The English majors are not a factor. They’ll be home writing their novels. Teachers, they’ll all be working. Shitty jobs, lousy pay, but still working. The graduates in accounting they all have jobs. Where does that leave you? Envious of those accountants, I doubt that. They had a choice. Maybe they were passionate about accounting, but I think it’s more likely that they used reason and logic and common sense to reach for a career that could give them the expectation of success and stability. Reason, logic, common sense? At the TISCH School of Arts? Are you kidding me?"

Zadie Smith, ‘Many Hands’, The Nw School, 2014

An ode to community. The great British novellist Zadie Smith articulatea the selfishness she felt at the end of her degree, her thinking that had been swayed by an era of individualism and exceptionalism. This is a speech to exalt the glory of the many,. I love it. One of my favourites on Speakola and Richard loved it too. Good one for COVID isolation actually.

" Walk down these crowded streets with a smile on your face. Be thankful you get to walk so close to other humans. It's a privilege. Don't let your fellow humans be alien to you, and as you get older and perhaps a little less open than you are now, don’t assume that exclusive always and everywhere means better. It may only mean lonelier. There will always be folks hard selling you the life of the few: the private schools, private planes, private islands, private life. They are trying to convince you that hell is other people. Don't believe it. We are far more frequently each other's shelter and correction, the antidote to solipsism, and so many windows on this world. "

They were the main featured speeches. You can find the whole episode here.

Speakola has launched its own podcast this week with an episode about eulogies. Please subscribe.

For a laugh, here is me introducing myself on the show Richard Fidler hosted in 1998, Race Around the World. It was travel documentary show where twenty something travelled to 10 countries in 100 days.

11 Greatest Speeches for ANZAC Day

This ANZAC Day, the speeches given to remember Australia and New Zealand’s war dead will lack the atmosphere of large and respectful crowds.

Here are eleven of the greatest ANZAC Day speeches:

1. Paul Keating, Eulogy for the Unknown Soldier, 1993

Debated whether the greatest ever ANZAC Day speech had to be delivered on Anzac Day and decided it didn’t. Not when the speech is this good. The Keating-Watson duo produced some classics (Redfern included) but for mine this is the finest of all. The line, ‘He is all of them. And he is one of us’ is as good as any delivered by an Australian politician doing this sort of a speech.

“We have gained a legend: a story of bravery and sacrifice and, with it, a deeper faith in ourselves and our democracy, and a deeper understanding of what it means to be Australian.”

2. Clive James, Battersea Memorial to Australian Airmen serving with RAF, 1988

Clive James delivered this in Australia’s bicentennial year to commemorate a plaque being laid for Australian servicemen who flew with the RAF. It’s a beautiful speech, poetic in parts, a phrase like ‘this was a harvest of our tallest poppies’. It also speaks to the nature of war, the bravery of those who fight, and the ways we reconcile the political ambiguities of why a war is fought. RIP Clive James, who died this year.

“They fought the wars anyway, and that was their glory. It’s obviously true that the world would have been a better place if the wars had never happened, but it’s profoundly true that it would have been an infinitely worse place if they had not been fought and won.”

3. Edouard Philippe, Opening of Monash Centre at Villers-Bretonneux, 2018

A Frenchman delivered one of the greatest ANZAC Day speeches two years ago when the Sir John Monash Centre openerd on the famous battlefield of Viellers-Bretonneux. The school there has for a century proclaimed ‘Never forget Australia’ in a permanent sign, and the French Prime Minister honoured our military effort with a brilliant and timeless speech. It’s in French, but worth hearing every word.

“Coming here, seeing this centre and tour, looking at the names of the 11,000 Australians who died for France and freedom, I could not help thinking of the terrible loneliness which these thousands of young Australians must have felt as their young lives were cut short in a foreign country. A foreign country. A far away country. A cold country whose earth had neither the colour nor texture of their native bush. A far away, foreign country which they defended inch by inch. In Fromelles in the Nord region, in Bullecourt in Pas-de-Calais and, of course, here in Villers-Bretonneux. As if it were their own country. And it is their own country.”

4. John Gorton, Welcome Home to Kerang RSL, 1946

Again, not delivered on ANZAC Day but a few weeks before on 6 April. The future Prime Minister and RAAF pilot spoke to his fellow returned soliders and evoked the ghosts of those who had not returned. A memorable, heart stirring speech that was named by The Australian newspaper as Australia’s best unknown political speech.

“I want you to forget it is I who am standing here. And I want you to see instead Bob Davey. And behind him I want you to see an army; regiment on regiment of young men, dead. They say to you, burning in tanks and aeroplanes, drowning in submarines, shattered and broken by high explosive shells, we gave t he last full measure of devotion.We bought your freedom with our lives. So take this freedom. Guard it as we have guarded it, use it as we can no longer use it, and with it as a foundation, build. Build a world in which meanness and poverty, tyranny and hate, have no existence. If you see and hear these men behind me - do not fail them.”

5. Jack Bell, Premer of Victoria Anzac Day Luncheon, 2019

Some of the most moving speeches are soldiers’ accounts and this is a great example. Jack Bell at the Premier’s Luncheon last year.

“I was shot down, south of Musus, Libya, on the 23rd January 1942 at approximately 9.30 a.m. in a Bristol Bombay. I can assure you this aircraft was travelling. It’s a big aircraft, ninety-four foot wing span and sixty-six feet long. But when a shell of that magnitude hits it, believe me it just knocks out everything.”

6. Julia Gillard, ANZAC Cove Dawn Service 2012

“Even at dawn, the shadows were already falling over this fate-filled day.”

Prime Minister Gillard showed with the misogyny speech that she was fine improviser, a brilliant speaker on her feet. But this is a wonderful scripted piece, delivered at Gallipoli in 2012.

“And the men who fought here from our nation, our allies and from Turkey did die – terrible deaths that spared no age or rank or display of courage. Over 130,000 men gave their lives in this place, two-thirds of them on the Turkish side and 8700 from Australia.

So this is a place hallowed by sacrifice and loss.”

7. Catherine Wallis, Dawn Service Wagga 2018

An example of the sort of speech we’ll miss attending dawn services around the country this year. Heartfelt, eloquent, moving. Delivered by Catherine Wallis, a coimmandant at the RAAF colege.

”Some of us are current serving members of the Navy, Army and Air Force. We honour our colleagues who have served proudly before us and we hope that should we ever be placed in their position, we will act in a way that brings pride to ourselves, our families and our country. That if we are truly tested, we will be steadfast, selfless and compassionate.”

8. Ted Baillieu, Pharmacy College Commemoration, 2019

A typically beautiful, evocative speech by the former Victorian Premier. It was delivered last year, a few days after Anzac Day. He has the knack for storytelling that makes a speech compelling.

“On Anzac Day the ode concludes: “At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them.” And we respond “We will remember them”.
And yet if asked what happened on Anzac Day, few can recall. We sang the Anthem. The last post was played. We stood in silence. Heard a speaker. The flag was raised. We observed the rituals.
The Commemoration was honoured.
But what do we take away? We recommit “We will remember them”. But who are “them”?”

9. Michael von Berg, Veterans Day Speech, Royal Australian Regiment Association, 2019

Michael von Berg MC AOM

Delivered on Veterans Day not Anzac Day, but so powerfully descriptive of the Vietnam experience that it deserved to be included.

“On patrol the breathing needs to be quiet but with the humidity and the stress at times you have difficulty in catching your breath in particular if you are ascending a 1 in 2 gradient fully loaded. Every step can be a challenge due to the slippery slopes and tiring of legs and the pumping of adrenaline that is coursing through your body watching for signs of the enemy. You must remain alert and positive but the conditions seem to make your mind wander at times where you are worried more internally about your discomfort than externally and the likely enemy threat. The key for any commander in that environment is not to set an unrealistic or dangerous pace to ensure if confronted by the enemy the soldiers are in a state of readiness and capability to fight.“

10. Sir John Monash, speech to returned servicemen, 1930

Australia’s most famous and celebrated general, speaking just 18 months before his death - about the nature of Anzac Day.

“It is an occasion for elevating the public spirit and public sentiment. We are gathering together our citizens in hundreds of thousands, who have presented to them noble ideals and noble thoughts, and they are animated by common ideals of worthy purpose.”

11. Neville Clark, Spirit of Anzac Address, Shrine, 2014

Former Principal of Mentone Grammar School gave a beautiful speech at The Shrine in Melbourne, Anzac Day six year ago.

:”This spirit of determination has lead inevitably to sacrifice, not just the fact of sacrifice which, between 1914 and 1918 for instance, resulted in irreparable loss for two young nations, but also a spirit of sacrifice, a team spirit if you will, through which many lives were saved by selfless acts of courage, for the sake of comrades-in-arms, and ultimately for freedom.”

Those are some of the notable speeches that we have found and that have been submitted about Anzac Day and Australian war history. We note the lack of New Zelaand speakers and would ask people to point us towards great speeches by New Zealanders. Also please send any other speeches you love. Lest we forget.

25 Best Speeches of 2019

It’s on again, the annual awarding of gold microphone jpegs to people who are possibly slightly more interested in actually changing the world or honouring a great moment or person. But words do have their power, and this site is acknowleding those who have wielded them brilliantly in 2019.

Let us know your thoughts on the rankings or ones we’ve missed. Send us your speech, or recommend someone else’s, and listen to our Speakola podcast when it launches in 2020.

1. John Stewart: ‘Sick and dying, they brought themselves down here to speak to no one’, Speech to Congress, 9-11 First Respnders Bill

The former The Daily Show host, renowned for wit and comedy and satire, put all that away to just bludgeon the US Congress with the embarrassment of its own inertia. The fact that most of Congress was a no-show provided Stewart with his opening gambit, and once the bolt was in the crossbow, he didn’t miss. Sublime oratory, from beginning to end, it’s a story to make you cry. Stewart achieved almost immediate results. The First Responders compensation bill passed the Senate six weeks later allocating 10.2 billion over the next ten years and was signed into law on July 29. It’s our best speech for this year.

.Full transcript and video.

2. Greta Thunberg: ‘How dare you!’, UN Climate Action Summit

It was only December last year that the Swedish teenager announced herself to the world in Poland. That was our runner up to Emma Gonazales in Speakolies 2018. Her Climate Acton speech this year came in response to a question, and it may sit as the most historically important moment of 2018. It was more emotional than some of her other speeches, with the same piercing eyes and fierce and unflappable directness of tone.

Full text and video.

3.  Jacinda Adern: ‘You may have chosen us, but we utterly reject and condemn you’, Response to Christchurch mosque shooting

In the wake of a tragedy, the New Zealand PM showed a rare ability to find the right emotional pitch - to grieve, to rally, to condemn, to honour, to lead. She spoke brilliantly in this news conference, and also in parliament and at the memorial service. Our top ranking politician this year.

Full text and video

4. Joe Marler: ‘Get back on the horse’, Harlequins pre game interview

We really are about all speeches great and small, not just the serious and the important. This one is right up there for the simple fact it is the best of its genre, possibly ever. Nobody has ever delivered better pre game sports patter than this. Joe Marler … his horsey masterpiece.

Full text and video

5. Viola Davis: ‘Living life for something bigger than yourself is a hero’s journey’, Barnard College

Avoided some of the commencement tropes, a speech to inspire personal and political reflection. Davis has an actor’s skill with voice and timing, and her ‘own of all it’ centrepiece is a beauty. '‘Who said all of who you are has to be good?’ Fresh, passionate, poetic, inspiring. One of the best commencements in recent years.

Full text and video

6. Wayne Schwass: ‘Manning up now is to put your hand up’, eulogy for Danny Frawley

An Aussie rules footballer with depression farewelling his great mate who committed suicide. Heartwrenching, but with a men’s mental health message bound beautifully into his expression of love and loss. ‘We may have lost this battle, Spud, but we won’t lose the war’.

Full text and video

7. Megan Rapinoe: ‘We have to be better’, USWNT’s World Cup victory parade

A woman who has been able to transcend even sublime athletic performance to be something more. Has the knack of seizing a moment, and turning it into something larger. “You’re someone who walks these streets every single day. You interact with your community every single day. How do you make your community better?”

Video and transcript



8. Jamahl Cole: ‘It’s not regular’, Martin Luther King Day Interfaith Breakfast

Every hallmark of a great speaker. The ability to interweave story and the larger point, repetition of key phrase, emotion, cadence, language. This is a speech worthy of the day and MLK, the greatest speech But as Jamahl Cole says, don’t say ‘great speech man’. Support My Block My Hood My City.

Video and transcript.

9. Neale Daniher: ‘Summon the courage, the moral courage, to take responsibility’, Fight MND

Daniher, an ex AFL footballer and coach, is a legend in his native Australia for his courage, fundraising, and advocacy for motor neurone disease. As his ability to speak easily has diminished the power of his words is truly remarkable. This is to Melbourne players and officials, a club he coached.

Video and transcript

10. Rosie Duffield: ‘When they ask you out, they don’t present their rage’, Domestic Abuse Bill

Duffield received a standing ovation from both sides of the House for this emotionally stirring, personal account of an abusive relationship. It was delivered in the context of the Domestic Abuse Bill, a law devised to provide safe homes to women and children fleeing abuse.

Video and text.

11. Adam Schiff, ‘You might think it’s okay’, Speech to House Intelligence Committee in response to resignation demand

Concise, cutting, a perfect rebuttal to Republican calls for his resignation as chair of the HIC. In a crowded field of anti Trump oratory in 2019, this was our pick for the standout, just in terms of structure and impact in such a short address.

Full text and transcript

12. Teresa May: ‘Never forget that compromise is not a dirty word’, Resignation speech

May has a dour reputation, but this is a sparkling and beautiful farewell speech. “This is what a decent, moderate and patriotic Conservative government, on the common ground of British politics, can achieve—even as we tackle the biggest peacetime challenge of any government has faced.”

Text and video.

13. Sacha Baron Cohen: ‘Just think what Goebbels would have done with Facebook’, Anti-Defamation League award

One for the social media age that crystalised many fears about privacy, propaganda and democracy in the age of facebook and twitter. “All this hate and violence is being facilitated by a handful of internet companies that amount to the greatest propaganda machine in history.”

Text and video.

14. Olivia Colman: ‘‘I’ve done that bit, I think I’ve done that bit’, BAFTA acceptance speech

For pure charm and a real life Hugh Grant-esque formal English bumbling, this speech was so charming and enjoyable. You ride the emotions with Colman, but also bathe in her humility and humour. Not one for the transcript. This one you want to hear. A masterclass in how to make off-the-cuff sound brilliant. ‘But this is for all three of us. It's got my name on it, but we can scratch in some other names.’

Text and video

15. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: ‘And it's already super legal, as we've seen, for me to be a pretty bad guy’, Campaign finance speech

She divides a nation, as AOC herself jokes at the start of this brilliant few minutes on the state of her country’s campaign finance and anti corruption laws. Such an easily understood cross examination with devastating clarity of result. Still only 30 years old, phenomenal communicator. Her Women’s March speech was amazing too.

Text and video

16. Tara Westover: ‘The Un-instagramable Self’, Northeastern University

Many commencement speakers do the bit about locating themselves in the chair of the graduates, but this had a refreshing honesty to it, centred on the dishonesty of how we present these moments that matter. “You will look wonderful in the photos you will post of you and your children. You will look wonderful because you will make sure that you look wonderful.” One of the very best commencements in recent years.

Text and video

17. Dylan Alcott: ‘There’s a ramp out the back, baby!’ Logies acceptance

Dylan Alcott is an Australian tennis star who won the quad wheelchair tennis title at Wimbledon this year (also a great speech). He won this award for his TV work on the Invictus Games where he sparkled with all the humour and charisma that shines through. He manages to make a joke about lack of ramps in the venue, and then a beautiful conclusion about the skills & potential of people with disabilities.

Text and video

18. Oprah Winfrey: ‘Success is a process’, Colorado College

Oprah would perhaps be higher up if she hadn’t delivered so many great commencements in recent years, as Oprah’s Daughters have gone through college and graduated. This may be here last for a while, and it’s typically wonderful. It’s difficult to be that fluent, that natural - funny, wise, she is the whole package. “I realized my true purpose was to be a force for good, to allow people to be themselves.”

Text and video

19. Imam Gamal Fouda: ‘They were the best of us, taken from us on the best of days’, Christchurch Memorial service

The imam from Al Noor mosque in Christchurch delivered a note perfect speech at the memorial service, commemorating and honouring the fifty dead, and heralding a call for unity and peace. “Your departure is an awaking not just for our nation, but for all humanity.”

Text and video

20. Sir David Attenborough: ‘The garden of Eden is no more’, World Economic Forum, Crystal Award

The great naturalist has been an advocate for climate action in recent years, both in speaking engagements and in his documentaries. This one is direct, eloquent, and emotional. “We have changed the world so much that scientists say we are now in a new geological age - The Anthropocene - The Age of Humans. When you think about it, there is perhaps no more unsettling thought.”

Text and video

21. Andrew Rule, ‘Won’t keep you Les’, eulogy for Les Carlyon

We love contributed eulogies and there was no finer example this year. Andrew Rule is a Walkley Award winning journalist, and this was his send off for his great friend, the author, journalist, historian and all round Australian writing giant, Les Carlyon. We are waiting on the video of speech from the Carlyon family. Andrew Rule’s eulogy for his father is also an all time classic.

Full text

22. Alexander Vindman: ‘I will be fine for telling the truth’, Testimony to Trump Impeachment Hearing

It was for the career serviceman with Russian heritage to provide the most moving words of the impeachment hearings so far. A simple statement of the difference between US democracy and Russian autocracy. “Dad, my sitting here today, in the US Capitol talking to our elected officials is proof that you made the right decision forty years ago to leave the Soviet Union and come here to United State of America in search of a better life for our family. Do not worry, I will be fine for telling the truth. “

Text and video

23. Jess Phillips: ‘I thought I had met posh people before I came here, but I had actually just met people who eat olives’, Commons debate

This was an immigration speech, responding to government plan to restrict new arrivals to 'skilled' workers. And in order to determine whether they are skilled or not, the government waslooking at imposing a £30,000 pay threshold. Phillips, an MP from Birmingham, was scathing, funny, natural.

Text and video

24. Dorothy Byrne: ‘Too many programs are saying small or medium things about society’, McTaggart Lecture, Edinburgh TV festival

The self deprecating Byrne proclaims herself to be ‘the Methuselah of TV’ and then proceeds to deliver a lecture that is funny and fearless. Her delivery is spot on, the anecdotes roll out. One of the most enjoyable speaking half hours of 2019 .

text and video

25. Emma Gonzalez: ‘Every day it feels like the shooting is happening again ‘, Change the Ref

We made ‘We Call BS’ our speech of the year last year and this one is brilliant too. “Every day, I feel the same. Every day, my friends feel the same. Every day, it feels like the shooting is happening again or happened yesterday or will happen tomorrow. …Some days are better than others of course, but every time there is another mass shooting somewhere else, or any instance of gun violence anywhere, I hug my roommate a little tighter when I see her. “

Text and video.

What speeches have we left out? Where was the order wrong? We are influenced by the speeches that are pushed in our direction, and there is an obvious bias towards English language and the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom. Please send speeches to us from anywhere! We have so many great historical Indian speeches now. We’d love to hear from you in the comments, or on social media (Speakola facebook, or @speakola_ on twitter)  To submit a favourite, or yours, email submissions@speakola.com.

This site has no revenues, and is entirely the love project of Tony Wilson. If you’d like to book him to talk great communication and speeches to your organisation or institution, send an email via http://tonywilson.com.au.. Melbourne based.

Have a wonderful and eloquent 2019!

Best wishes

Tony Wilson @byTonyWilson

http://speakola.com

www.tonywilson.com.au

20 Most Memorable Oscars speeches

These are the Oscars acceptances that have and will stand the test of time. Maybe for their exuberance. Maybe for their political content. Maybe for their poignancy at a moment in history.

It’s just a list. It’s probably wrong. Let us know your thoughts.

1. Cuba Gooding Jr. ‘I love you , I love everybody’, Jerry McGuire

A minute of footage that can lift a smile out of the hardest heart on the worst day. His gear changes are incredible. Here is the full transcript.

“I love you! Oh my goodness! Here we are! I love you but keep going. [Unintelligible], everybody, I love you! I love you all! “

2. Richard Pryor, ‘Then see who sings and dances for you’, Host monologue, 1977

Richard Pryor opens up the telecast with a broadside on the lack of nominations and Oscars for black performers. The response of the crowd is noteworthy, and of another era. Hard to watch.

“I am here tonight. To explain. Why. No Black Poeple. Will ever be nominated for anything “

3. Halle Berry: ‘It’s for every faceless nameless woman of colour’, Monster’s Ball, 2002

In 2002, Berry became the first African American woman to win the Best Actress Award, and her emotion charged, sob-ridden speech was both joyous and poignant, and as she said, ‘so much bigger than me’. ‘It’s

“And it's for every nameless, faceless woman of color that now has a chance because this door tonight has been opened. “ Full transcript here.

4. Roberto Benigni, ‘I want to kiss everybody’, Life is Beautiful, 1999

Similar to Cuba Gooding Jr’s in the sense that the exuberance just lifts your soul. Benigni’s accent and his kissing and his declarations of love were a recipe for pure happiness on that Oscars night in 1999.

“ Love will move the sun and the other stars. Love is a divinity, and sometimes if you have faith, like all the divinities it can appear. “ Full transcript here

5. Sally Field: ‘You like me! Right now you like me!’ Place in the Heart, 1985

The line in it’s entirety is ““I can’t deny the fact that you like me, right now, you like me.”. It’s sometimes put out there as evidence to the neediness of actors, but watching the speech is a refresher that Field was humble, humorous, and not too self indulgent. After all, we all like to be liked.

“ I haven’t had an orthodox career, and I’ve wanted more than anything to have your respect. The first time I didn’t feel it, but this time I feel it, and I can’t deny the fact that you like me. Right now, you like me!” Full transcript here.

6. Michael Moore: ‘We like non fiction and we live in fictitious times’ Bowling for Columbine, 2003

Famous caning of President Bush, accusing him of manufacturing a case for war in iraq, which is an accusation that has stood the test of time. The Dixie Chicks line is a beauty.

“And any time you’ve got the Pope and the Dixie Chicks against you, your time is up. Thank you very much. “ Full transcript here.

7. Shirley MacLaine, ‘I’m going to cry because this show has been as long as my career’, Terms of Endearment, 1984

Funny, honest, and eccentric, this one is fun. Not the first person to have a go at the Oscars for running time. The lack of self deprecation at the end is refreshing!
”I have wanted to work with the comic chemistry of Jack Nicholson since his chicken salad sandwich scene in "Easy Pieces." And to have him in bed was such middle-aged joy. “ Full transcript here.

8. Marlon Brando via Sacheen Littlefeather: ‘And the reasons for this being are the treatment of American Indians today by the film industry”, The Godfather 1973

The most famous non appearance in Oscars history. Marlon Brando designated Sacheen Littefeather to accept his Best Actor oscar, as protest for the way in which Native Americans were treated by the American film industry.

“that he very regretfully cannot accept this very generous award. And the reasons for this being are the treatment of American Indians today by the film industry – excuse me – and on television in movie reruns.” Full transcript here.

9. Lupita Nyong’o: ‘No matter where you’re from your dreams are valid’, 12 Years a Slave, 2014

Such a beautiful and thoughtful speech, that gracefully intertwines the personal thrill of winning the award, with the tragedy of the historical material she was working with.

“It doesn’t escape me for one moment that so much joy in my life is thanks to so much pain in someone else’s. “ Full transcript here.

10. Dustin Hoffman: ‘He has no genitalia and he's holding a sword”, Kramer v Kramer, 1980

Great speech, that incorpoates a whole of life reflection, a whole of industry thank you, and graceful nod to fellow nominees. Classy and funny speech. Listen for the quality of the films and the nominees too!

“I refuse to believe that I beat Jack Lemmon, that I beat Al Pacino, that I beat Peter Sellers. I refuse to believe that Robert Duvall lost. “

11. Jane Fonda: I’m signing part of what I’m saying tonight’, Coming Home, 1979

Jane Fonda reinforced the themes of Coming Home by signing part of her acceptance. It was an early mainstream nod to inclusiveness and disability awareness on film’s biggest stage.

“I'm signing part of what I'm saying tonight because, while we were making the movie, we all became more aware of the problems of the handicapped. “ Full transcript here.

12. Mel Brooks, ‘Well I’ll just say what’s in my heart’, The Producers 1969

Great footage, just for the fact it puts Frank Sinatra and Mel Brooks together. Brooks is funny, as you’d expect. A glimpse of a bygone era. Golden.

“I’d also like to thank Zero Mastell, I’d also like to thank Gene Wilder, I’d also like to thank Gene Wilder. I’d also like to thank Gene Wilder. “ Full transcript here.

13. Meryl Streep: ‘Oh come on, why her again!’, The Iron Lady 2012

This is the acceptance speech for someone who really knows how to do these things, because she’s done so many. So funny and well structured, with great humour and emotion. Stamped as a sort of whole of career valedictory.

“I really want to thank all my colleagues, all my friends, I look out here and I see my life before my eyes, “ Full transcript here.

14, Tom Hanks: ‘The streets of heaven are too crowded with angels’, Philadelphia 1995

Strong start with the ‘here’s what I know’. That recurs throughout the speech, and he moves from the personal triumph to the global tragedy of AIDS. Lovely to have the nod to the high school drama teacher.

”We know their names. They number a thousand for each one of the red ribbons that we wear here tonight. They finally rest in the warm embrace of the gracious creator of us all. “ Full transcript here.

15. Matthew McConaughey, ‘There are three things that I need each day’, Dallas Buyers Club, 2014

God, family and self. The three pronged structure gives the speech a spine, and works very well. The unorthodox answer to the question, ‘who is your hero’ makes this a favourite amongst people hunting motivational speeches on Speakola.

“When I was 15 years old I had a very important person in my life come and ask me 'Who's your hero?” Full transcript here.

16. Woody Allen, Love Letter to New York, post 9-11, 2002

Arguably New York’s greatest filmmaker was a less divisive figure in 2002 than he is in 2019. Post 9-11, he was asked to deliver a ‘Love Letter to New York in the Movies’ and did a wonderful job. The subsequent clip is terrific too.

“ I panicked immediately, because I thought that they wanted their Oscars back.” Full transcript here.

17. Jack Palance: ‘Forty-two years later he was right’ City Slickers, 1992

Three words. One hand pushups. Full transcript here.

“They forget, they forget to ask that you go out there and you do all these…things. Like for instance, you know, [leaves podium] you go out there, you do these one-arm push-ups.”

18. Paul Hogan, Oscars etiquette bit, Crocodile Dundee, 1987

Speakola is based in Australia and we Australians sometimes forget how funny Hoges was.

‘G’day peers’ Full transcript here.

19. Vanessa Redgrave: ‘I pledge to you that I will continue to fight against anti-Semitism and fascism’, Julia, 1978

Vanessa Redgrave was taking heat from the Jewish Defence League because she narrated a documentary film called ‘The Palestinian’ When she won the Oscar for the Holocaust drama Julia, she hit out at her critics in a memorable speech. Booing from sections of crowd.

“And I salute you and I pay tribute to you and I think you should be very proud that in the last few weeks you've stood firm and you have refused to be intimidated by the threats of a small bunch of Zionist hoodlums” Full transcript.

28 Best Rock Speeches of 21st Century

These are the 27 best rock n roll speeches of the century so far.

I state it as categorially as that, because the internet search engines love ridiculously blanket statements of this type.

But really taste in music speeches is as subjective as taste in music itself.

These are merely ones that have been popular on the arts page of Speakola and beyond. Have a listen, a read, and share the list if you see fit.

We’d love your feedback /suggestions at submissions@speakola.com

1.Brian Eno, ‘Children learn through play, but adults play through art’, BBC John Peel Lecture - 2015

The producer, composer, musician can do it all, including speak about what he does. And this speech does it all. What art is, why it is undervalued, why it is important , how we need to change. A knockout  One of the great speeches of the 21st century Brian Eno has another great speech on the therapeutic qualities of group singing, that wonderful too.

2. Madonna, ‘There are no rules, if you’re a boy’, Billboard Awards, 2016

It’s starts out very Madonna-ish, with her straddling the mike stand and saying ‘I always feel better with something hard between my legs’ but then it shifts into an emotional, whole of career, monologue about the sexism of the music industry, the perils to surviving in it as a woman, and her pride in having done so. Brilliantly executed.

3. T-Bone Burnett: ‘The mask has become the face’, Americana Music Festival - 2016

One for the digital age. T-Bone draws us in with a story about Michelangelo and the Pope, and then fires some brilliant salvos about the role of art, the value of art and the artist, and the disaster that has been the digital music revolution. This could be the union battle cry for every musician.

“And, as we are being told that, our work is being commoditised- the price of music is being driven down to zero. “

4. Bob Dylan: ‘Critics say I can’t carry a tune’. Musicares Person of the Year - 2015

Which Dylan speech to choose? His Nobel Prize speech is excellent, but a little bit hollow for the fact that he didn’t attend in Stockholm himself, and delivered his lecture requirement a year later, in absentia. This Musicsares speech is broad, career spanning, poetic, pugnacious, and musical in many ways, just like Dylan himself. Not all the audio is available online, but the text is an outstanding read.

5. Tom Waits, ‘Songs are just really interesting things to be doing with the air’, Rock n Roll Hall of Fame, 2011

This felt completely ad libbed, and yet was humble, funny, poetic, esoteric, and Tom Watisish. From the opening gag about the trophy, this is all quality.

“I just want to know if there’s a keychain version that I can keep with me just in case I hear someone say, “Pete, take the cuffs off. I think he’s a Hall of Famer.”

6. Tim Minchin, ‘This one meaningless life of yours’,. University of WA. graduation 2013

Tim Minchin’s famous graduation is a favourite of many and with good reason. he intertwines comedy and wisdom, and all with a deconstructionist eye to what the wisdom of a thirty something is worth. Speech has structure, great laughs, and a red graduation gown that is just so memorably red. A must if you’ve never heard it or read it.

7. Halsey: ‘A story like mine’, Women’s March, 2018

The singer/performance poet’s harrowing spoken word dealing with rape and sexual assault, how it impacted her own life, and the job women have to speak up and support one another. One of the many powerful speeches of the #metoo era, delivered at the Women’s March, a year after Trump’s inauguration.

8. Leonard Cohen, ‘How I Got My Song’, Asturias Awards, 2011

Everyone loves an origin story, especially when it comes to a great musician meeting his first instrument. This one is great for the fact that the connection is not immediate. Eventually a mentor helps Leonard Cohen find his voice, and his song. A man who makes words sing in every sense. A must for fans, and inspiring for everyone.

”I inhaled the fragrance of cedar as fresh as the first day that I acquired the guitar. And a voice seemed to say to me, "You are an old man and you have not said thank you; you have not brought your gratitude back to the soil from which this fragrance arose.”

9. Patti Smith, ‘We are all Pinocchio’, Pratt University, 2010.

Funny and just great. The legendary rocker begins with dental advice and it just rolls from there. One of the most underrated commencements. She is a quality writer, in practically every format. And she nails the delivery.

“ Our dentists were the army dentists who came back from World War II and believed that the dental office was a battleground. You have a better chance at dental health.’

10. Rhiannon Giddens, ‘Half of all string bands at the turn of the (20th) century were black’, International Bluegrass Music Association, Conference, 2017

Fantastic speech aimed at shining a light on the history of bluegrass and recognising its African American roots.

“I want people to understand—that recognizing the African American presence within these traditions does not come at the expense of trying to erase all of the other tradition bearers who have already received so much of our attention.”

11. Bruce Springsteen, ‘We live in a post authentic world’, SXSW keynote, 2012

I’m so biased in favour of the Boss he could have been 1,2,3 and 4 on this list. This one is superb, but so is his Musicares speech, his eulogy to Clarence Clemens, his stage banter about Trump and the Women’s March, his Tony Awards snippet from Springsteen on Broadway,. There are no superlatives left, at least none as good as the ones Jon Stewart used.

“Television and Elvis gave us full access to a new language, “

12. David Bowie, If it itches play it’, Berklee College of Music – 1999

From inviting the students to Dunkin Donuts, to invaluable advice on the breadth of musical possibilities, and the time it may take to settle into one’s art, this is a funny and wise speech, from one of the legends of our time.

“I guess any list of advice I have to offer to a musician always ends with "If it itches, go and see a doctor."

Last century, but I sneaked it in anyway.

13, Dave Grohl: eulogy for Lemmy Kilmister 2016

Davie Grohl is naturally hilarious, and his autobiographical Nirvana origin story delivered at SXSW is a ripper too. But this is just so good. Not just a model music speech, but a model eulogy. Funny, packed with stories, and does the job of balancing comedy, loss and love. You don’t need to be a fan of Nirvana or Metallica to love this. A gem.

14. Jen Cloher, ‘Women in Australian music can no longer be erased from the history books’, IWD Breakfast, 2017

Not as well knows as most of the artists in this list, but a wonderful speech about the challenges of sustaining a musical career, including mid career struggles, the business side of the business, and the curse of judging yourself against other people’s successes.

“An Australian woman became famous around the world for her songwriting. Not her dance moves, or extensive wardrobe, but for writing great songs. She also happened to be the woman I was in love with. “

15. Steven Van Zandt, ‘I decided greatness would be my business’, Rutgers University, 2017

This brilliant speech is worth reading multiple times. it tracks the E-Street legend and Sopranos star’s ‘non decision’ to become a guitarist, singer and songwriter, and then his very conscious decision to try to learn more about the world and what is wrong with it. Takes in his anti apartheid campaign in the 1980s, as well as his incredible second career as an actor. Fantastic little moments about chasing greatness.

16 Tom Morello, ‘Kiss were never a critics band’, Rock Hall of Fame Induction, 2014

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction speech is ripe material for Speakola, and the most popular one on the site is Mike Love’s possibly drug induced car wreck of a speech on the night the Beach Boys went in. But this is fantastic, all quality from a man who has always spoken passionately and intelligently.

A brilliant tribute that channels Tom Morello, young Kiss fan.

17. Iggy Pop, ‘Free music in a capitalist society’, John Peel lecture, 2014

Timely speech about what the digital age is doing to the music industry, and to the livelihood of artists. Interwoven is the road to stardom fans what to hear and philosophical stuff on art, rock and roll and the love we have for rock stars and their music.

“Hi, I'm Iggy Pop. I've held a steady job at BBC 6 Music now for almost a year, which is a long time in my game.”

18. Tyler Joseph, ‘This story it starts in Colombus Ohio, Grammy acceptance, 2017

Okay so maybe this one is a bit cutesy, or a bit gimmicky, but it’s hard to give a funny and original acceptance speech in a forum like the Grammys, and this one rocked. Did the job of talking about a lifelong journey, a rags to riches journey, and did it in a funny, succinct and visual way. Tyler Joseph has also spoken well about what he regards as ‘The Point’ of music, and that is good too.

19. Pink, ‘And you my darling girl, are beautiful’, VMA acceptance,

Pink took the stage at the VMA’s and talked about beauty, the pressures society imposes and a difficult conversation she’d had with her daughter. Not the standard acceptance speech fare, and an important topic for so many fans.

20. Bono, ‘That’s not a cause, that’s an emergency’, UPenn, 2004

This is really entertaining and quite biographical, and has the political flourish you’d expect from the Irish rocker. He starts with ‘My name is Bono and I am a rock star’, which might be annoying if you don’t like Bono. Great speaker really.

“. I was 17 when I first saw The Clash, and it just sounded like revolution. The Clash were like, “This is a public service announcement  - with guitars.” 

21. Katy Perry, ‘I prayed the gay away at my Jesus camps’, Hu7man Rights Campaign Gala, 2017

This is the biggest pop star on the planet at the time standing up for LGBTI rights and feminism. She shares autobiographical stories from her Christian childhood, and her awakening to the human rights injustices facing her queer friends.

“When I was growing up, homosexuality was synonymous with the word abomination and hell, a place of gnashing of teeth, continuous burning of skin and probably Mike Pence’s ultimate guest list for a barbecue. “

22. Tom Petty: 'I joined the conspiracy to put black music on the popular white radio', Musicares Person of the Year - 2017

Tom Petty knew he was dying when he delivered his Musicares speech. It has a poignancy when you realise it is the great rocker’s sign off to the musical world, with autobiographical glimpses and a lovely Johnny Cash birthday card.

”Twenty years ago I’d have been way too cynical to do this”

23. Victor Wooten, ‘We have to remember that the world is a beautiful place’, Rubenstein School, 2016

This commencement is just so so cool. Victor Wooten is cool, His decision to strum a base through the entire delivery is super cool, and totally magnetic, and the stories themselves are compelling. A secret gem of a speech, that not many people talk about.

24. Warren Zevon, Enjoy every sandwich’, Letterman show, 2002

Worth it just for the phrase ‘enjoy every sandwich’, which is right up there for life advice. Warren Zevon announced his incurable cancer diagnosis on the Letterman show , and found amazing words.

“ First of all let me say that I might have made a tactical error in not going to a physician for twenty years. “

25. Troye Sivan, ‘These people were attending a friend’s funeral on a weekly basis’, GLAAD Awards, 2017

The Aiustralian self made youtube sensation spoke at the GLAAD Media awards about the AIDS epidemic of the previous generation, and his respect for the activists of that previous generation who paved the way for artists like himself.

“Though times and our needs may have changed, this ethos and spirit still persist in our community today. “

26. David Bridie, ‘For God sake Australia, have a look at the map!’,’ Lowy Institute lecture on Papua New Guinea, 2015

David Bridie was front man for popular Australian groups My Friend the Chocolate Cake and Not Drowning Waving. He’s also been a regular visitor to PNG, as well as a champion of the West Papuan cause, and the music emanating from the region. Great speech about how he first came to visit PNG, and what the place and its music is so special to him.

27. Nadja Tolokonnikovavhttps of Pussy Riot, ‘We should stop poisonings’, Riot Fest concert, 2018

One of the more courageous rock groups of our time, this speech was delivered in the aftermath of Peter Verzilov’s suspected poisoning, after the pitch invasion at World Cup 2018.

“Peter does not know the phrase ‘it’s impossible’. He knows that if you’re organised, motivated and smart enough, you can do everything and changed the world. “

28. Kim Ragoon aka RM, United Nations, #Endviolence campaign, 2018

K-pop speeches get flung around the internet by super passionate Korean fans. This is one that took place at the United Nations on an #endviolence platform.

“These faults and mistakes are what I am, making up the brightest stars in the constellation of my life. I have come to love myself for who I am, for who I was and for who I hope to become “

Okay so I cheated with the Bowie and Courtney Love speeches from last century. And if I was really honest with myself, I picked Brian Eno’s as my favourite music speech, and then let the order fall pretty randomly after that. It’s too hard! Why is the internet so partial to lists of things that profess to an order, where none is possible? But complain by all means.

Who did I miss?

Who should have been #1?

Should I have had more K-pop?

And is Kanye’s ‘I am a pop artist’ the worst music speech of all time?

Let me know in the comments, or send your suggestions to submissions@speakola.com

25 Best Speeches of 2018

These are 25 of the best speeches delivered around the world in 2018. Many of our speech spotters are in the USA and Australia, so apologies for the bias in that direction. We’d love suggestions for speeches we’ve missed, and hope to make Speakola a truly international site. Obviously the act of comparing across politics,arts, sport and society is inherently flawed, but these have been favourites with our readers.

1. Emma Gonzales, ‘We Call BS’, student rally post Parkland mass shooting

There were so many great speeches from the Parkland students but this one was so raw and so contemporaneous that it swept the world. The writing is superb, the gun lobby arguments passionately and systematically torn apart. She has a rallying cry. She marches on through tears and trauma. Our vote for 2018’s best speech, and followed up with something similarly impressive at March for Our Lives. Full transcript and video.

2. Greta Thunberg: ‘We have come here to let you know that change is coming, whether you like it or not’., COP24, Katowice

Could the two best speehes of 2018 really have been delivered by teenagers? For years we have documented Al Gore’s climate emergecncy speeches, including this masterpiece in ‘An Inconcenient Sequel’’ but 15 year old Thunberg speaking in Poland this year was the voice of the true inheritors of this crisis, and she spoke with grit and poise. There was a fierceness to it too. ‘You have ignored us in the past and you will ignore us again.’ Incredible.  Full text and video.

3.  Oprah Winfrey: ‘For too long women have not been heard or believed’, Cecil B DeMille award, Golden Globes

One of the most gifted orators on the planet, this took the world by storm. In the moment of #metoo, she used the little known story of Recy Taylor, to speak of abuse, and also generational sexism and racism. The #Oprah2020 hashtag was alive before she’d reached her conclusion. A masterful piece of speechmaking.  Text and video.

4. Julia Louis-Dreyfus: ‘The really ridiculous thing is that I am just as good at drama’, Mark Twain Award

So much goodwill for one of the comic giants of her generation, particularly given the health battles of past year. But this is still an enornously high pressure gig. You’ve got to be funny in a Mark Twain acceptance, and this delivers on every level. No new 2018 speech was more read on Speakola. Video and transcript.

5. Edouard Phillippe: ‘The earth is his only friend’, Opening of John Monash Centre, Villers Brettoneux

The French PM hit every note in this speech that was particularly special for Australians. The town of Villers-Brettoneux has long recognised the role Australians played halting the German advance 100 years ago, under the leadership of General Monash. Phillippe quotes Erich Remarque and All Quiet on the Western Front in one of the most beautiful pieces of political writing we’ve read. Video and transcript.

6. Stephen Murphy: Before You Push the Chair’, Listowel Writers Week

This poem, with its themes of depression and suicide, is an incredible achievement in wriitng and performance. Not to be missed. We thank Irishman Stephen Murphy for the opportiunity to republish his spoken word piece that went around the world.  Video and transcript.

7. Andrew Pollack, ‘We as a country, failed our children’, White House meeting, Parkland parents

From the moment he begins, ‘we’re here because my daughter has no voice’, this distraught father, flanked by his sons, delivers the most devastating few minutes on the Parkland tragedy, Not a gun control speech, but certainly an ‘America needs change’ speech. A true tearjerker. Video and transcript

8. Jason Kelce, ‘Just keep moving forward’, post NFL Superbowl

This is top drawer sports speechgiving, in the emotional aftermath of a Superbowl triumph. We want our big, bearded, muscle-bound winners to show their humanity, and this is just lovely. Great Roosevelt quote. The best way to thank the ones who helped the most. Video and transcript.

9. Halsey, ‘Be a voice for all those who have prisoner tongues’, Women’s March

This powerful poem tells of rape, sexual assault, its prevalance and the need for change. “It's 2018 and I've realized nobody is safe long as she is alive”.  Delivered at the Women’s March in January, and a must listen if you missed it the first time around. Text and video.

10. James Lammy, ‘If you lie down with dogs, you get fleas’, UK Windrush debate

This is how to do controlled outrage and anger. British Labour MP James Lammy was speaking about a Home Office scandal that involved the wrongful deportation and wrongful imprisonment of Windrush generation arrivals to the UK, mainly from Carribean countires in the early 70s.  Video and text.

11. Jacinda Adern, ‘There is no you and us, just us’, NZ Teachers strike

An impromptu attempt by a very talented and compassionate leader to diffuse tension and anger amongst teachers in New Zealand. Adern hadn’t planned to speak, and spoke without notes, and yet this was a wonerful piece of plain and intelligent speaking, in a charged scenario. Video and transcript

12. Axel Scheffler, ‘The Book Wasn’t Called “No Room on the Broom’, British Book Awards

The illustrator of Julia Donaldson’s many masterpieces, Scheffler spoke as an EU citizen who has made his name in the UK about the tragedy of Brexit and the attitudes it reflects. “But I also accept it with a heavy heart and maybe even a slightly bitter  feeling – it feels like a consolation prize. Or even a farewell gift. “ Text and video.

13. Kurt Fearnley, ‘Our sport was born out of hope’, Don Award, Sport Hall of Fame

A giant of Australian sport and a pioneer in the growth of Paralympic sports around the world, Fearnley’s in absentia video speech reflects a champion in every capacity. A seamless and brilliant presentation. “There was too much shame and there wasn’t enough hope. So our sport was born out of that hope. “ Text and video.

14. Barack Obama: “This is not normal’, pre midterms campaign speech

Obama is as gifted an orator as we have seen in the 21st century. We have heard less from him in these two years than most others, but his offerings on Trump and the GOP going into the 2018 miderms were typically stirring.  Text and video

15. Abby Wambach: ‘We are the wolves’, Barnard College commencement

American soccer great Wambach talks about life transitions such as sporting retirement and college graduation, and links to the transitions society needs to achieve. “Women have learned that we can be grateful for what we have while also demanding what we deserve. “ Text and video.

16. Joe Biden, ‘Character is destiny’, Eulogy for John McCain

“With John, it was a value set that was neither selfish nor self-serving.” In the bitter partisanship of 2018 politics, this was a refreshing antidote.  The Meghan McCain eulogy for her father was also terrific - with a sharpened barb for President Trump. Text and video.

17. Mhairi Black: ‘She needs a kick in the ****”, Misogyny as hate crime debate

We include her in our speeches awards every year. Such a natural speaking talent, and still only 24. In this speech, she shared the hate mail she receives, and became the first person to use the c-bomb in Briitsh parliament. Text and video

18. Atul Gawande: ‘Curiosity and what equality really means’, UCLA Medical School commencement

This remarkable surgeon shared a story about treating a self harming prisoner, and the challenges graduates will face committing to treating all human beings equally. Great lesson in including compelling anecdotes and stories in speeches of all types. Text only, no video available.

19. Ira Glass: ‘There’s a war in this country over facts and truth’, Columbia School of Journalism

The NPR host and This American Life guru delivered a memorable speech about truth, reporting, and chasing a dream career in a competitive field. Full of anecdotes and wisdom, as the best commencements are. One of the speeches of 2018. Text and video.

20. Jordan Steele-John: ‘Tonight I seek to speak their names’, Debate about extension of terms of royal commission

The youngest man in the Australian Senate, and the only one with cerebral palsy, Steele-John is advocating for the extension of terms in the aged care royal commission to include abuse of minors and other people with disabilities in state institutions. He names the many people who have died in recent times. Heartbreaking stuff Text and video

21. Aly Raisman, ‘We are not going anywhere’. Larry Nasser sentencing

This one is from January. Raisman spoke for herself and other victims of Larry Nasser’s crimes as doctor for the USA gymnastics team. Powerful, affecting, strong.  “We are here, we have our voices, and we are not going anywhere. “ Text and video

22.  Bob Murphy, ‘The smells and the donuts’, Norm Smith Oration

Bob Murphy has a knack for words, and this speech reflects a lifetime of love for the game of Australian rules footy and his privileged role in it. Few athletes manage insight, humour, philosophical flair and storytelling with Murphy’s level of articulation. Outstanding. Text and video.

23. John Franklin Stephens, ‘See me as a human being, not a birth defect’, United Nations

Actor and activist John Franklin Stephens has Down Syndrome and spoke to the UN about awareness for the condition, the full and fulfilling lives that are led, and to speak out against genomic testing. “I truly believe a world without people like me will be a poorer world, a colder world, a less happy world.” Text and video

24. Emma Gonzales, ‘Six Minutes and about twenty seconds’, March for Our Lives

The only person to be nominated twice, this one is again brilliantly structed with her six minutes and twenty seconds of silence, and immensely powerful. “Fight for your lives before it's someone else's job.” Text and video

25. Jeff Flake: ‘Without truth, our democracy will not last’, Senate speech against President Trump

Flake may be loathed by people on both sides. Republicans for being a liberal turncoat. Liberals for being all talk and no action. He is, undoubtedly, a clear and coherent speaker, and his two Senate speeches against Trump in 2017 and 2018 stand as two of the greatest speeches of the era. Text and video.

What speeches have we left out? Where was the order wrong? We’d love to hear from you in the comments, or on social media (Speakola facebook, or @speakola_ on twitter)  Thanks to everyone who has shared speeches and allowed republication.

Have a wonderful and eloquent 2019.

Best wishes

Tony Wilson @byTonyWilson

www,speakola.com

www.tonywilson.com.au