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Obama sings a tune, steals the online show

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President Barack Obama delivers remarks at a high school in Manchester, New Hampshire in this November 22, 2011 file photo. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

President Barack Obama delivers remarks at a high school in Manchester, New Hampshire in this November 22, 2011 file photo.

Credit: Reuters/Kevin Lamarque

NEW YORK | Fri Jan 20, 2012 6:06pm EST

NEW YORK (Reuters) - President Barack Obama stole the online show on Friday after singing a tune during a campaign fundraiser at New York City's famed Apollo Theater.

After Rev. Al Green warmed up the audience for Obama on Thursday night, the president surprised the audience -- and his staff -- by crooning the opening bars of Green's soul classic "Let's stay together."

"I'm - so in love with you," he sang, earning rapturous applause from the 1,400 people who each had paid between $100 and $200 to attend the Democratic fundraiser ahead of the presidential election in November.

"Don't worry Rev., I cannot sing like you. I just wanted to show my appreciation," Obama added, as he stood on a stage at the theater that helped launch the careers of Michael Jackson, James Brown and Ella Fitzgerald.

The video of Obama singing was a hit online on Friday and Al Green was one of the top ten topics trending on Twitter.

"I have worked for President Obama for 5 years and until last night, I had no idea that he could sing," said White House communications director Dan Pfeiffer in a tweet.

(Reporting by Alister Bull, editing by Michelle Nichols)
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Comments (5)
elby1 wrote:
How about a duet with Michelle with the girls singing, too. I’m betcha they would make a great Presidential choir! 4 more years!

Jan 20, 2012 6:58pm EST  --  Report as abuse
cyfan wrote:
“Swing low…sweet chariott..”

Jan 20, 2012 7:18pm EST  --  Report as abuse
mpower830 wrote:
That was actually kinda cool. Nice to see the human side of these guys every now and again. If you don’t have some fun from time to time, you’ll go crazy.

Now, what can Mitt sing?

Jan 20, 2012 7:30pm EST  --  Report as abuse
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