Obama Joyfully Sings the Blues
President Obama got his song on again Tuesday night during a White House Black History Month event celebrating the musical genre of rhythm and blues. After he famously sang a line from Al Green’s classic, “Let’s Stay Together,” at the Apollo Theater in January, people have been clamoring for a second act. Last night, their dream came true.
Following a blues concert that featured legends B.B. King, Al Green, Mick Jagger and Buddy Guy, the musicians urged the president to join them in a tribute to his hometown, “Sweet Home Chicago.” He, of course, tried to decline, as he did at a fundraiser last week when someone asked him to perform a duet with Green. But these guys weren’t taking "no" for an answer.
“Come on!” Obama said when Guy asked him to join in the final performance.
“I heard you singin' Al Green. So, you've started something. You've got to keep it up now. You done started something. You gotta keep it up now,” said Guy.
Who could resist that kind of pressure?
“Oh come on, baby don’t you wanna go?” he sang twice before handing the mic to Jagger, and then chimed in again at the end with “Sweet Home Chicago” with King.
Before the concert, Obama mused about how confining life in the White House can be because he can’t just take a walk to clear his head or jump into a car for an impromptu drive.
“Secret Service won't let you. And that’s frustrating,” he said. “But then there are other nights where B.B. King and Mick Jagger come over to your house to play for a concert. So I guess things even out a little bit.”
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(Photo: AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)