Tomorrow marks the first day of Barack Obama’s realisation that he can’t possibly live up to everyone’s expectations as president.
But who cares? More important is the song that will accompany President Obama’s very first dance on inauguration day. And, since you asked – it’s Beyonce singing At Last from her movie Cadillac Records.
It’s fortunate that Cadillac Records was Beyonce’s most recent movie – had Barack Obama’s inauguration happened three months later, Beyonce would have been forced to sing something from her upcoming Fatal Attraction rip-off movie, perhaps Stop Boning My Man or the whimsical I’ll Kill You, You Bitch (I’ll Kill You).
Beyonce has had some big moments in her life – she’s famous enough to start fights with Aretha Franklin and fall down some stairs onto her face – but nothing she’s ever done will prepare her for her job tomorrow. Because tomorrow Beyonce sings for the president.
You see, even though tomorrow marks the day that Barack Obama inherits the worst financial crisis since the Depression, countless pointless wars all over the world, a globally-resented country that’s quickly being overtaken by China economically and – worst of all – a contractual obligation to attend a Jonas Brothers concert, he’s putting a brave face on his inauguration.
And that’s because, regardless of what other catastrophes befall him in the next four years, at least Barack Obama gets to choose which song he gets to dance to first as president. And that song is At Last by Etta James.
Or, to be more specific, At Last by Etta James by Beyonce. You see, Beyonce’s last movie was Cadillac Records where she played Etta James. And, although Etta James is alive and well enough to perform At Last herself at the inauguration, she’s a bit old and fat these days – and having an old fat lady singing while Barack Obama has his first dance as president would completely send the wrong message to the world. So a younger, less talented Etta James facsimile with a nicer bottom it is. AP reports:
In a statement, Beyonce said: “I am so honored that I will be performing for President Obama and the first lady. To sing `At Last’ while they have their first dance is a dream come true. I could not be more honored and excited that they have asked me to be part of this moment in history.”
Actually, despite our teasing we’re thrilled for Beyonce. Performing the song that Barack Obama will dance to first as president means that Beyonce will now join the ranks of the immortal. It doesn’t matter what else she achieves in her career, by doing this Beyonce knows that her name will now live on forever as the answer to a low-scoring pub quiz question. Bravo, Beyonce. Bravo.
But just because Beyonce is singing a landmark song for potentially one of the best-loved presidents in history, it doesn’t mean that the other members of Destiny’s Child have been forgotten about. They’re also going to be performing a very important role at the inauguration day ball – seriously, those coats will never be checked more efficiently.
Shooty* says
OMG! You mentioned people of colour in a vaguely derogatory way! RASCISTS! BURN THEM!
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Just thought I’d get that in ahead of the crowd ;)
tayter of the tots says
beyonce my sound kinda loud, but that doesnt matter.obama is our pres 4 4 years. so shut up and respect.and u obama downsizers,SHUT UP HES PRES SO GET OVER IT AND DONT BE SO DANG RASIST.we should all embrace the fact that we have a great new prez with a heart and a care
Propbob says
We don’t know if he is a great president yet. We will all have to watch what he does for 4yrs.
And Beyonce is a lumpering amazon cow. Delt with her at the funeral in Oklahoma with JayZ. JayZ pushes and bosses her around like some cheap whore. I swear to god she was not allow to look around or avert her eyes away from him. They were the only problem there and it was pissing Kanya and other celebreties off. They were the only ones making demands and brought twice the bodyguards then even A-list Celebrities. And she is the most average looking women in person especially compared to the girlfriends of the A-listers and other rappers. One of the officers said her ass and thighs look like hogs in blanket when she walks.
I guess in Hollywood they really don’t like women to be too pretty or glamorous.
Tracey says
Etta is actually looking pretty good these days and at age 70 she is currently performing shows across the country. You might want to look up a recent shot of her before you get to downing someone.
http://flickr.com/photos/22888057@N02/2836430457/
Cliff says
I just saw Etta James perform in Seattle at The Paramount (Wednesday, January 28th) and she said that she was “pissed” that “that girl” sang “her” song. She said they didn’t even ask her to sing it and she is so mad. She felt that she deserved to sing the song, not Beyonce.
Will says
Beyonce sounded bloody amazing singing at the ball. So this article is just stupid.