President Obama Sings The Blues
posted in: Music News
While having musical talent is certainly not a prerequisite for being President of the United States, it definitely makes you way cooler, in our book. The White House has been absent of musical talent since Clinton was rocking out sax solos on the Arsenio Hall Show. But fret no more, music lovers: turns out our Commander In Chief has a set of pipes! Last week, President Obama surprised a Harlem audience by singing the hook to the famous Al Green tune Let’s Stay Together at a fundraiser at the Apollo Theater. Yesterday, he showcased some more of his talent by joining B.B. King, Mick Jagger and Buddy Guy for a few lines of his hometown anthem, Sweet Home Chicago.
Obama had hosted a night of performances dedicated to the blues, featuring musicians Jeff Beck, Troy Trombone Shorty Andrews, Gary Clark Jr., Warren Haynes, Derek Trucks, and Booker T. Jones. President Obama was encouraged to sing by Buddy Guy, who told the President, You started something, you got to keep it up, referring to his Al Green impersonation. Obama joined the all-star cast, singing come on, baby don’t you wanna go, then having B.B. King chime in with same old place. Obama took the mic back and finished out the song with sweet home, Chicago before flashing the camera his signature smile and exiting the East Room to cheerful applause.
You can check out the full coverage of the event here.