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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.
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.”
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.’
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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?”
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!!!”
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!”
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
