Obamaoke: Obama the Singing President?
Posted January 17, 2009

In just a few short days the U.S. will have a new president and there is lots to be done. It seems everyone wants a piece of Barack Obama. Who will be in his cabinet? What will he do about the recession? What will happen in Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel? And these never ending questions run the gamut from the silly to the sublime. Where will his girls go to school? Will he put a basketball court in the White House or will he choose to brush up on his bowling? And of course there is that burning question; what will be the presidential dog? But no question is  more burning for our readers than does he karaoke? If he has, how does he sound? And what kind of music does he like anyway? Never fear readers, KaraokeTraveler is here to answer all of your deepest presidential karaoke questions. Now almost everyone has seen Obama dance on the Ellen DeGeneres Show but have you heard him sing? KaraokeTraveler has found no evidence that Obama has indulged in this musical pastime but he has been caught on tape singing, not once, but at least two times.

The Obama Brand

First, there is the video of Mr. Obama spontaneously serenading a campaign supporter with “Happy Birthday.”  This video is the perfect example of how Mr. Obama’s charm and magnetism has inspired the love and admiration of many who until now, found politics to be offensive. His name and likeness have been affixed to everything imaginable including coins, plates, mugs, and condoms. Yes I did say “condoms,” if you’re interested click here.  If President-elect  Obama  can put the “cool” back into politics, can he do the same for the music industry?  Indeed the Obama brand has already permeated popular culture and inspired many people to make music; professional and amateur musicians alike. There is the infamous Obama singing kids video, and the visually creative tribute to Obama by Wil.I.am in his “Yes We Can” video in which a long list of musicians and other celebs sing a portion of the folksy song in rolling vignettes. During the campaign many supporters organized “Sing for Obama” karaoke fundraisers, and now  inaugural fever has brought about karaoke inauguration celebrations across the country. One, such party in San Jose, CA will feature “Obama karaoke,”  or “Obamaoke,” which is the singing of popular songs and cleverly adjusting the lyrics to include Obama references such as; “La Bamba or Barack the Casbah,” according to MercuryNews.com. Then there is the nascent political re-speech phenomenon, or “Politaoke,” which is karaoke, but with past political speeches. As it turns out, Obama’s  famous South Carolina primary speech is a fan favorite among the partakers of Politaoke.(Read Daniel Peltz's Interview)

How Smooth
 There is no doubt, Obama is fast becoming an American pop culture icon, he has already put his stamp on the karaoke community with karaoke fundraisers, inaugural celebrations, Obamaoke and Politaoke, but his charm doesn’t stop at the border; Here is a little known radio interview by Univision, the Spanish-language media conglomerate,  in which the charming and always willing to please -candidate Obama was gently coaxed into singing a few lines of a Mexican folk song titled “Que Sauve.” The interviewer matter-of-factly states that senator Kennedy sung for them in his interview, and then asked Obama “what is your favorite song?” The soon to be commander-in-chief thought for a moment and then coolly sang the lyrics in a serene and elegant Spanish speaking voice. The rough English translation for “Que suave” is “how smooth,” and that is just what comes to mind when you hear it. How’s that for Obamaoke?

Related articles:

• Introducing Politaoke
• An Interview with the Mind Behind Politaoke