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The Spectacle Blog
Last night, during a PBS taping of In Performance at the White House: Red, White & Blues, President Obama sang a few bars of “Sweet Home Chicago” at the urging of B.B. King and Buddy Guy. Also on hand were the likes of Mick Jagger and Jeff Beck. The special will air on PBS beginning next week.
Of course, President Obama sang a few bars of the Reverend Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together” during an appearance at The Apollo Theatre in Harlem last month.
For his part, B.B. King said, “Mr. President, I’ve been praying for you for three years, and I want you to keep your job.” Mr. King is, of course, entitled to his opinion. But where it concerns Obama for a lot of people, well, “The Thrill is Gone.”
Well, I say let Obama sing to his heart’s content. If he misses “Sweet Home Chicago” so much then let’s send him back there in November.
KellyHopkinsville| 2.22.12 @ 8:51AM
I hate this. "Sweet Home Chicago" is a great song. Chicago Blues is a great style. Jeff Beck is a great guitarist -- and B.B., Junior and Buddy are no slouches, either.
What are they doing sharing the stage with this idiot? This is culture and artistry in liquidation for a cheap pol.
Good reason to sing the blues.
Bob Grant| 2.22.12 @ 9:54AM
There seems to be a wide disconnect between the activities and attitudes from this White House and the deteriorating conditions domestically and abroad.
I don't give a rats a** anymore about the 'historic' nature of his presidency. He's not entitled to a good time....just because...while this country faces serious, generational problems.
We all know it's not in his DNA to be a leader but, da**it, it's time to start acting like one!
W| 2.22.12 @ 9:55AM
The best commentary was "The thrill is gone" even though it was not intended.
Obama definetely has a career as a backup singer for the groups doing the oldies. As Chuck Noll, the great Steelers coach used to tell his players, It is time to get on with your life's work.
goldwater girl| 2.22.12 @ 10:18AM
When I saw this on the news this morning, I was thinking, don't quit your day job, but frankly, I wish he would quit his day job. Obama is like some of the American Idol singers. They train by singing in the car and the shower, and everyone around them tells them how wonderful they are. We need a president who takes the job serious, and is interested in solving the national problems. Get off the stage you jerk!
Oldefarte| 2.22.12 @ 10:59AM
SWEET HOME CHICAGO? That's a complete insult to SWEET HOME ALABAMA, but typical no doubt!!!!!!!!
Oldefarte| 2.22.12 @ 11:00AM
Didn't I see recently where Chicago was voted THE MOST CORRUPT CITY IN THIS COUNTRY???????
Aaron Goldstein| 2.22.12 @ 11:26AM
"Sweet Home Chicago" was written long before "Sweet Home Alabama." "Sweet Home Chicago" was first released in 1937 by blues guitar legend Robert Johnson. "Sweet Home Alabama" was released in 1974 when Lynyrd Skynyrd wrote it as a response to Neil Young's "Southern Man" and "Alabama."
Occam's Tool| 2.22.12 @ 12:44PM
Oldefarte: "Sweet Home Chicago" was originally played by the immortal Bluesman Robert Johnson in 1937---covered by the Blues Brothers later. But it considerably predates Lyrnyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home, Alabama."
You are as usual, correct in stating that Obama defames it. As a native Chicagoan (born in Edgewater Hospital), Obama steams my beans whenever he does stuff like this.
Occam's Tool| 2.22.12 @ 12:45PM
Sorry, Aaron. In addition, there is considerable geographical vagueness in Johnson's song.
Stan has the best comment.
Stan| 2.22.12 @ 12:05PM
Obama is not a true Chicagoan. Born in Honolulu. Raised in Indonesia and Hawaii. Went to school at Colombia and Harvard. When he did come to Chicago,represented the elite of Hyde Park. He never represented the real Chicago and has always looked down on it.
albert constantine jr| 2.22.12 @ 12:49PM
A college roommate of mine (who was studying music) bemoaned the fact that a couple of comic actors could make and release an album of music and be given credibility, when John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd released “Briefcase Full of Blues” in 1979. Among the cuts on their second album that accompanied the “The Blues Brothers” movie was “Sweet Home Chicago”. Might I propose that the POTUS give up his aspirations for a second term as POTUS and instead join Dan Ackroyd for yet another sequel (perhaps he could say he is the son of Curtis). It couldn’t be any worse than Blues Brothers 2000, and it could spare the country and the world of what is sure to be an even worse sequel, Obama 2012.
Bob Grant| 2.22.12 @ 1:38PM
A Blues Brothers sequel with POTUS? ...They certainly would not be 'on a mission from God' this time!
albert constantine jr| 2.22.12 @ 6:47PM
I'd rather see him doing his version of karaoke than doing what he's doing to us now.
Stan| 2.22.12 @ 1:13PM
I hate Illinois Nazis.
albert constantine jr| 2.22.12 @ 1:20PM
We're on a mission from God.
Bob Grant| 2.22.12 @ 1:39PM
Da**it, beat me by 18 minutes.
junkyard infidel| 2.22.12 @ 1:40PM
re-open joliet and send lil' barry there along with the rest of the criminals in his regime !