Day of the Dead

It is considered a very important holiday by many Filipinos (next in importance to Christmas and Holy Week), and additional days are normally given as special non-working holidays (only November 1 is a regular holiday). 2005 Billboard Music Awards. Playing card games, eating, drinking, singing, and dancing are common activities inside the cemetery, apparently to cope with boredom. Her favorite sports teams are the Boston Red Sox, Dallas Cowboys, and Los Angeles Lakers. Since its supposed to be about spending time with dead relatives, families usually camp in cemeteries – with some choosing to spend a night or two near their relatives' tombs. She is a big sports fan. Tombs are cleaned or repainted, candles are lit, and flowers are offered. Carrie Underwood and Drake Clark agreed to break it off since the two were not spending enough time together.

It is seen as an opportunity to be with the departed and is done in a somewhat more solemn way. During American Idol she dated Drake Clark, also from Northeastern State University. In the Philippines, it is called Araw ng mga Patay (literally, Day of the Dead) or Undas and has more of a "family reunion" atmosphere. Pictures of the two of them surfaced when Chad Eagelton posted pictures of him and Carrie at the Maxim after party on his Facebook account. In some parts of the country, children in costumes roam the streets, asking passersby for a "calaverita", a small gift of money; they don't knock on people's doors. As of November 2005, Carrie Underwood is currently dating Northeastern State University student Chad Eagleton. Other special foods for Día de Muertos includes pan de muerto (bread of the dead), a sweet egg bread made in many shapes, from plain rounds to skulls and rabbits. [4].

Sugar skulls, inscribed with the names of the recipient on the forehead, are often eaten by a relative or friend. "Don't Forget to Remember Me" was recently announced as the next single. A common symbol of the holiday is the skull (colloquially called calavera), which celebrants represent in masks, called calacas (colloquial term for "skeleton"). On January 9th 2006, Some Hearts was certified Double Platinum by the RIAA with shipments of over 2 million units, making it the fastest-selling debut country album in the history of Nielsen SoundScan.[3]. Theatrical presentations of Don Juan Tenorio by José Zorrilla (1817–1893) are also traditional on this day. In December 2005, Underwood was named "Oklahoman of the Year" by Oklahoma Today magazine. Newspapers dedicate calaveras to public figures, with cartoons of skeletons in the style of José Guadalupe Posada. The large first week sales of Some Hearts made it #1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and the biggest debut of any country artist since the advent of the SoundScan system in 1990.

This custom originated in the 18th-19th century, after a newspaper published a poem narrating a dream of a cemetery in the future, "and all of us were dead", proceeding to "read" the tombstones. When the week's sales figures were tabulated, Some Hearts entered the Billboard 200 chart with 315,000 copies sold. Those gifted like to write "calaveras" – short poems mocking epitaphs of friends. [2] On that same day, she presented an award and performed "Jesus, Take The Wheel" at the 39th Country Music Association awards in New York City. Government offices usually have at least a small altar, as this holiday is seen as a valuable part of the mexican heritage. Her initial album release, entitled Some Hearts, hit store shelves on November 15, 2005. Public schools at all levels build altars with offerings, usually omitting the religious symbols. The single also debuted at #48 on the Billboard Hot 100 where it currently sits at #26 after reaching a peak at #25.

Traditionally, families may spend some time around the altar telling stories about the deceased relatives as well as spend time praying. It is currently ranked at #1 in its thirteenth week on that chart. These altars usually have the Christian Cross, statues or pictures of the Blessed Virgin Mary, pictures of deceased relatives and other persons, flowers such as marigolds, and many, many candles. It received so much airplay that it debuted at #39 on the Billboard Country Chart in its first week, setting a record. Some families do build altars or small shrines in their homes. Underwood's second single, "Jesus, Take The Wheel" was made available for radio airplay on October 18, 2005. In some parts of Mexico, such as the towns of Mixquic, Pátzcuaro and Janitzio, people spend all night beside the graves of their relatives. Underwood is also the latest spokesperson for Skechers shoes, following in the footsteps of Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera.

Some people believe the spirits of the deceased eat the spirit of the food, so even though they eat the food from the ofrendas after the festivity, they think it lacks nutritional value. The T-Shirts are now available to buy with proofs of purchase. Ofrendas are also put in homes, usually with foods and beverages dedicated to the deceased. She is also wearing vintage Hershey T-shirts that feature Hershey's, Almond Joy, Kit Kat, Reeses and other chocolate brand logos. Families will also offer trinkets or the deceased's favorite candies on the grave. The commercials have Underwood singing Hershey jingles like the jingles for Hershey's, Kit Kat and Almond Joy. These include wreaths of an orange marigold (also referred to as Flor de Muerto, the "flower of the dead", in Spanish, or zempoalxochitl, (twenty-flower) in Nahuatl, a term that has been carried into modern Mexican Spanish as cempazúchil), which are thought to attract the souls of the dead toward the offerings; toys, brought for dead children (los angelitos, or little angels); and bottles of tequila, mezcal, pulque or atole for adults. In the same year, she starred in ads for Hershey's Chocolate.

Wealthier families build altars in their homes, but most simply visit the cemeteries where their loved ones are buried and decorate their graves with ofrendas, or offerings. Underwood performed a well-received "The Star Spangled Banner" before Game 4 of the 2005 NBA Finals at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Michigan. During the period of October 31 and November 2 families usually clean and decorate the graves. [1] The B-side is "Independence Day", a cover of the Martina McBride hit. Plans for the festival are made throughout the year, including gathering the goods that will be offered to the dead. Underwood's version was shunned by country radio reaching a peak of #59 on the country charts. The souls of children are believed to return first on November 1, with adult spirits following on November 2. The single debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, with first-week sales of 170,000 copies, and briefly stopped Mariah Carey's run at #1 with "We Belong Together." One week later, runner-up, Bo Bice, released his version of the song, which debuted at #2.

Indigenous people of the Americas often would outwardly adopt the European rituals, while maintaining their original native beliefs. As part of her title, Underwood gained a recording contract with Arista Records; her first single, "Inside Your Heaven", was released on June 14, 2005. This is an example of syncretism or the blending of a significant event from two different cultural traditions. During the season, Constantine Maroulis tried to flirt with her but she refused to go out with him. The Spanish combined their custom of All Souls' Day with the similar Mesoamerican festival, creating the Día de los Muertos, The Day of the Dead. On her last song of the night in the final two, Carrie's spectacular performance of "Angels Brought Me Here" had Simon saying, "I think you've done enough to win the competition." On May 25, 2005, she became the fourth winner of American Idol, beating Southern rocker Bo Bice, and she joins Kelly Clarkson and Clay Aiken as the only contestants who have never been one of the "bottom three" singers during any week's results. All Saints' Day is the day after Halloween, which was in turn based on the earlier pagan ritual of Samhain, the Celtic day and feast of the dead. I will make a prediction, not only will you win this competition, but you will sell more records than any other previous 'Idol' winner." Cowell went on to say on the March 30 show that she has the "it factor" that will make her a star.

When the Spanish Conquistadors arrived in America in the 15th century they were appalled at the indigenous pagan practices, and in an attempt to convert the locals to Roman Catholicism moved the popular festival to the beginning of November to coincide with the Catholic All Saints and All Souls days. On the March 22 show, after a performance of Heart's "Alone", Simon Cowell said, "Carrie, you're not just the girl to beat, you're the person to beat. The festivities were dedicated to the celebration of children and the lives of dead relatives. After singing Martina McBride's "Independence Day" Simon Cowell said he couldn't believe no one has discovered her yet. Festivities were presided over by the goddess Mictecacihuatl, known as the "Lady of the Dead". She can also play piano and yodel, the latter of which was demonstrated on the Tonight Show the night after she won. The festival which was to become Día de Muertos fell on the ninth month of the Aztec Solar Calendar, near the start of August, and was celebrated for the entire month. On the April 20 elimination show, Underwood demonstrated her ability to play the guitar.

It was common practice to keep skulls as trophies and display them during rituals to symbolize death and rebirth. Underwood's musical influences include pop, but are predominantly country; she stated during Idol auditions that her favorite singer is Martina McBride. Rituals celebrating the lives of dead ancestors had been performed by these Mesoamerican civilizations for at least 3,000 years. She also competed in numerous beauty pageants at the university and was selected as Miss NSU runner-up in 2004. The origins of the celebration of The Day of the Dead in Mexico can be traced back to the indigenous peoples of the Americas, such as the Aztec, Maya, Purepecha, Nahual and Totonac. Underwood attended Northeastern State University, where she majored in mass communication and is a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority. . Underwood graduated from Checotah High School in 2001 as salutatorian.

In Mexico, despite the morbid subject matter, this holiday is celebrated joyfully, and though it occurs at the same time as Halloween, All Saints' Day, and All Souls' Day, the mood of The Day of the Dead is much lighter, with the emphasis on celebrating and honoring the lives of the deceased, rather than fearing evil or malevolent spirits. At the age of 13, her manager at the time tried to get a recording contract at Capitol Records, but due to management changes at Capitol it never materialized. It is a public holiday in Brazil, and a large number of people celebrate it there typically by visiting cemeteries and churches, taking flowers, lighting candles, and praying. Carrie Underwood was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma and raised in a farm in Checotah, Oklahoma. This time is especially notable in Mexico where it is primarily viewed as a public Mexican holiday, and it is also celebrated in communities in the United States with large populations of Mexican-Americans, the Philippines and to a lesser extent elsewhere in some countries of Latin America. . The Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos, Día de los Difuntos or, simply, Día de Muertos in Spanish) is a Catholic celebration of the memory of deceased ancestors that is celebrated on November 1 (All Saints) and November 2 (All Souls). Carrie Marie Underwood (born March 10, 1983) is an American country singer who rose to fame as the winner of the fourth season of American Idol.

“A Crack Between the Worlds.” Commonwealth 122 (1995) : 13-16. Top-Selling Country Single of the Year: "Inside Your Heaven/Independence Day," Carrie Underwood (Won). Roy, Ann. Country Single Sales Artist of the Year: Carrie Underwood (Won). < http://www.azcentral.com/ent/dead/history/ >. Top-Selling Hot 100 Song of the Year: "Inside Your Heaven/Independence Day," Carrie Underwood (Won). 1 Nov 2004. Final Results Show (post-win performance of first single) - "Inside Your Heaven".

Day of the Dead – History. Final Results Show (performance with Rascal Flatts) - "Bless the Broken Road". Miller, Carlos. Final Results Show (duet with Bo Bice) - "Up Where We Belong" (O.A.: Jennifer Warnes and Joe Cocker). Catholic 62 (1997) : 50. Finals Top 2 Performance 3 (song originally written for Australian Idol) - "Angels Brought Me Here" (O.A.: Guy Sebastian). “Death Takes a Holiday.” U.S. Finals Top 2 Performance 2 (favorite from season) - "Independence Day" (O.A.: Martina McBride).

Garcia-Rivera, Alex. Finals Top 2 Performance 1 (new song written for AI) - "Inside Your Heaven". Catholic 66 (2001) : 38-41. Finals Top 3 Performance 3 (Judges' choice) - "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!" (O.A.: Shania Twain). “Death Takes A Holiday.” U.S. Finals Top 3 Performance 2 (Performer's choice) - "Making Love out of Nothing at All" (O.A.: Air Supply). Conklin, Paul. Finals Top 3 Performance 1 (Clive Davis' choice) - "Crying" (O.A.: Roy Orbison).

Great Britain: The Bath Press, 1991. Finals Top 4 Performance 2 (Gamble and Huff Songs) - "If You Don't Know Me by Now" (O.A.: Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes). The Skeleton at the Feast: The Day of the Dead in Mexico. Finals Top 4 Performance 1 (Nashville Songs) - "Sin Wagon" (O.A.: The Dixie Chicks). Sayer, Chloe. Finals Top 5 Performance 2 (Billboard top 40) - "Bless the Broken Road" (O.A.: Rascal Flatts' version of Marcus Hummon's "Bless the Broken Road"). Carmichael, Elizabeth. Finals Top 5 Performance 1 (Leiber and Stoller Songs) - "Trouble" (O.A.: Elvis Presley).

“The Day of the Dead, Halloween, and the Quest for Mexican National Identity.” Journal of American Folklore 442 (1998) : 359-80. Finals Top 6 Performance (Songs of the 21st Century) - "When God Fearin' Women Get the Blues" (O.A.: Martina McBride). Brandes, Stanley. Finals Top 7 Performance (70's Dance Music) - "MacArthur Park" (O.A.: Donna Summer's version of Richard Harris' hit). In it, the dead live in a world of their own, resembling the one they had in life. Finals Top 8 Performance (Songs from Contestants' Birthyear) - "Love Is a Battlefield" (O.A.: Pat Benatar). The 2005 film Corpse Bride was also influenced by this holiday. Finals Top 9 Performance (Broadway Musicals) - "Hello Young Lovers" (O.A.: Johnny Mathis).

In this movie, poor farmer Macario meets Death himself, and receives a gift from him. Finals Top 10 Performance (Songs of the 90's) - "Independence Day" (O.A.: Martina McBride). The renowned Mexican motion picture Macario starts on this day. Finals Top 11 Performance (Billboard #1's) - "Alone" (O.A.: Heart). However this Day of the Dead draws upon Celtic mythology in reference to the calendar. Finals Top 12 Performance (Songs of the 60's) - "When Will I Be Loved" (O.A.: The Everly Brothers). In the novel The Grey King by Susan Cooper, a rhyme states that Will Stanton's quest will begin "On the day of the dead, when the year too dies". Semi-Final Performance 3 (Women Top 8) - "Because You Love Me" (O.A.: Jo Dee Messina).

This scene is inaccurate, since Puerto Rico, the place where the scene is set, does not celebrate el Día de los Muertos. Semi-Final Performance 2 (Women Top 10) - "Piece of My Heart" (O.A.: Faith Hill's version of Janis Joplin's classic). The film Assassins, starring Sylvester Stallone and Antonio Banderas, has a scene that takes place during a Día de los Muertos procession. Semi-Final Performance 1 (Women Top 12) - "Could've Been" (O.A.: Tiffany). The climax of the 1996 motion picture The Crow: City of Angels takes place during the Day of the Dead. Hollywood 2 - "Independence Day" (O.A.: Martina McBride). The finale of the second season of Dead Like Me revolves around and includes the myths of this day, such that the reapers (death) appear as they did in life. Hollywood 1 - "Young Hearts (Run Free)" (O.A.: Candi Staton)".

Barbara Hambly's novel Days Of The Dead (2003) sets its climax on this day in 1835. Louis Auditions - "I Can't Make You Love Me" (Original Artist: Bonnie Raitt). The climax of the motion picture Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003) is set amidst a parade that day. St. The 1998 Babylon 5 episode "Day of the Dead" is centered around an alien tradition with a more literal interpretation of the Mexican holiday's "returning spirits". Backdrop to an episode from Season 1 of Carnivàle..

The intended title for the game was "Deeds of the Dead". The main character is named "Manny Calavera", and is an skeleton in a formal suit. The 1998 Tim Schafer computer adventure game "Grim Fandango" is set on this day in the land of the dead and includes many allusions to the celebration, as well as other aspects of Mexican folklore. The climax of the animated film The Halloween Tree (1993) occurs after an explanation of the Day of the Dead.

The motion picture Bound by Honor (1993) uses the Day of the Dead to emphasize and to illustrate some of its plot points. In the play A Streetcar Named Desire (1947) by Tennessee Williams the Mexican woman selling 'Flores para los muertos' is a symbol of the way death seems to haunt the character of Blanche DuBois. The novel Under the Volcano (1947) by Malcolm Lowry takes place in on this day in a fictionalized Cuernavaca, Morelos.