New Radicals 'You Get What You Give', Andra Day's 'Rise Up' and other unifying performances from Parade Across America

People from all walks of life representing all 50 states came together for a Parade Across America marking the inauguration of President Joe Biden.

The event went virtual this year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Actor Tony Goldwyn served as host for the broadcast. The first parade across America, he said, took place April 30, 1789, honoring President George Washington. This year's parade is the 59th.

Ahead of the performances, Jon Stewart joined the broadcast adding, "We may not be able to be together in person but we can still gather — even if it's virtual — and celebrate this grand tradition.

"We need to remember that every day ... there are millions of unsung American heroes who keep our nation going."

Here are some highlights from the virtual Parade Across America.

Andra Day sings 'Rise Up'

Day, who represented the state of California, was the broadcast's first big-name celebrity.

She was joined by figure skater Kaitlyn Saunders, who performed a routine at the Black Lives Matter mural in Hollywood.

Day chose to sing "Rise Up," an uplifting tune with lyrics such as: "You're broken down and tired // Of living life on a merry go round // And you can't find the fighter // But I see it in you so we gonna walk it out // And move mountains // We gonna walk it out // And move mountains."

Both Day and Saunders were flawless.

Earth, Wind & Fire grooves with Sister Sledge

More than 50 years after Earth, Wind & Fire formed, members came together for the Parade Across America. Appearing individually in boxes on the screen, they joined DJ Cassidy, the man behind the web phenomenon "Pass the Mic" series. Cassidy dedicated the performance to "amazing Americans" and encouraged everyone to "spread the love."

First up was "Sing a Song": "Sing. // Sing a song. // Sing out loud, sing out strong. // Sing of good things, not bad. // Sing of happy, not sad. // Sing. // Sing a song. Make it simple to last your whole life long."

Then, Kathy Sledge of the Sledge Sisters joined the group to lead an energetic rendition of "We Are Family," singing "We are family // I got all my sisters with me // We are family // Get up everybody and sing."

Appearing during the "We Are Family" performance were — what else? — images of American families. The song, as it always does, brought a smile to our faces and a spring to our steps.

New Radicals reunite after 22 years

It's been more than two decades since the New Radicals split.

During the brief time they were together, they released a single album, which included enduring hit “You Get What You Give” and it's rallying chorus of "You've got the music in you // Don't let go // You've got the music in you // One dance left // This world is gonna pull through // Don't give up // You've got a reason to live // Can't forget // We only get what we give."

Biden pointed to the song in his 2017 autobiography, "Promise Me, Dad," sharing that it was the family's rallying song during son Beau Biden's battle with cancer.

Members of the group said they made a pledge last year, as election season was heating up: "If Joe won, we'd get together and play our little song." Well, we all know what happened next. Even after 20-plus years, members still sounded good as ever.

Follow Gary Dinges on Twitter @gdinges

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Parade Across America: Andra Day, Earth Wind & Fire, New Radicals perform