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You are here: Home / Music / Obamapalooza

Obamapalooza

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I agree with John and JMM that selling the rights to yesterday’s Obamapalooza to HBO was a mistake. The smart move would have been to reach out to conservatives by selling the rights to Fox. We still are a right-center nation, after all.

But my biggest problem with the festivities was the presence of people like James Taylor. That’s the kind of thing that makes us look weak to our enemies.

Making this the official version of the national anthem — the one they play at the Olympics and everything — would make us look strong again. I remember seeing it live as a kid and thinking “I’ve never heard people clap along with the national anthem before.”

Consider this an open thread, but, please, no reprisals.

Reader Interactions

58Comments

  1. 1.

    Comrade Mary, Would-Be Minion Of Bad Horse

    GAH!

    That was beautiful. I never, ever saw or heard that before, and I love Marvin.

  3. 3.

    DougJ

    I never, ever saw or heard that before, and I love Marvin.

    I had no idea who Marvin Gaye was when I watched it as a kid, though I’d probably heard a few of his songs without knowing who sang them, and was just blown away. The only really good version of the song I’ve ever heard.

  4. 4.

    Mazacote Yorquest

    Out of respect for our host I won’t say what Michelle Malkin would call this version of the national anthem, but we all know what she’d call it.

  5. 5.

    Ninerdave

    Red State is teh funny.

    Which Biden will land Obama in Jail First

    Apparently Jill’s slip up on Oprah today is indeed a federal case.

    And just more proof that irony is dead on the right side of the blogosphere:


    Farewell to Bush: Mission Accomplished

    It’s priceless, here’s a small gem:

    President Bush did indeed take this nation to war in Iraq, and rightly so, as history will judge. His vindication has, of course, been apparent for years, and the ample evidence of his stated motives for engaging that war widely available, but nevertheless we must wait for history.

    He closes with:

    This blog was originally published at AOL Political Machine, where the majority of my readers and fellow writers are of the leftward persuasion. I chose my title just for their adorable little outrage buttons. I hope you can enjoy their spittle-covered computer screens as much as I am. – Caleb Howe

    No Caleb, I’m actually laughing at you. I’ve never understood the obsession of those on the right with trying to "piss off the liberals". Most of the stuff that I see that’s supposed to "piss me off" actually makes me laugh uncontrollably.

  7. 7.

    gwangung

    Making this the official version of the national anthem—the one they play at the Olympics and everything—would make us look strong again.

    People may think you’re snarkin’ here, but…this is the truth. Marvin is the man.

    (And he, Stevie and Smokey Robinson make up the Motown Trinity. Could spend a whole evenin’ with these gents and count it well spent. Hm. Think i will..)

  8. 8.

    The Other Steve

    I assume that there will be no cries of outrage since the singer, is, you know, Gaye.

    Not gay enough.

    clearly

  9. 9.

    chris mohr

    Similarly powerful was the late Ray Charles’ public renditions of "America the Beautiful" (which I think makes a far better, more singable national anthem than "Star Spangled Banner"). However, as done by Marvin Gaye, I have to admit it puts the "Star Spangled Banner" in a far better light than ANY version I’ve ever heard before. This gets my vote for the new "official" version.

  11. 11.

    DougJ

    @gwangung

    I’m certainly not snarking. I really believe it would change the whole way the world looks at us if this was played at the Olympics.

  12. 12.

    JGabriel

    The NY Times is borrowing a quarter billion dollars from Mexican (pace 30 Rock, am I allowed to call him that? it sounds wrong) telecomm billionaire (of course, as a billionaire, I don’t suppose he gives a shit what anyone calls him) Carlos Slim Helu.

    (By the way, as an agnostic cutural Catholic, I know damn well that middle name is supposed to be from a saint, but fuck me if can remember a Saint Slim anywhere.)

    Under the terms of the deal, Mr. Slim, who already owns 6.9 percent of the Times Company, would invest $250 million in the form of six-year notes with warrants that are convertible into common shares, the company said in a statement. The notes also carry a 14 percent interest rate, with 11 percent paid in cash and 3 percent in additional bonds.

    (h/t Atrios)

    Which raises the question, why the hell do the Sulzerberger’s need to borrow 250 million dollars? I mean, WTF?

    At 14%, it sure looks like someone is getting screwed here – and I can’t friggin’ tell who. It’s too low for a risky borrower and too high for a good one. Does the Times have a plan for that money? Or is just to pay expenses and keep publishing until the recession/depression is over?

    .

  14. 14.

    sgwhiteinfla

    Its funny listening to wingnuts nowadays talking about "pissing off liberals". Maybe they haven’t noticed but most Americans and especially liberals are pretty much happy with who won the Presidential election as is evidenced by the record approval ratings for President Obama (no more elect for me) and the wall to wall to the point of annoying coverage of this historic inauguration. I wonder when it will be that they will wake up to the fact that liberals aren’t doing things to "piss off conservatives" because they are simply no longer relevant. Pretty soon RedState will be relegated to the credibility level of all of those 9-11 truther sites and maybe a half a step above the Area 51 sites. And the great thing about it they are going to take a substantial amount of the ditto head appeasers in the GOP with them.

    Good riddance.

  15. 15.

    Fern

    @DougJ:

    Well, between the tune and the words, it is an awfully difficult anthem to warm up to. I was surprised how much I enjoyed the version above.

  17. 17.

    Mike in NC

    Its funny listening to wingnuts nowadays talking about "pissing off liberals".

    Can we get some legislation introduced into Congress to have them tarred and feathered and/or castrated for the last eight years of treason? Just askin’

  21. 21.

    KRK

    Never heard that one before. Thanks.

    Also: Jack Sikma! Used to love him back when the Sonics were Super.

  22. 22.

    Scott H

    Unfortunately for George W Bush it won’t be history judging his Administration – it will be the future. He’s well screwed.

  24. 24.

    Martin

    I agree with John and JMM that selling the rights to yesterday’s Obamapalooza to HBO was a mistake. The smart move would have been to reach out to conservatives by selling the rights to Fox

    Um. It’s a business decision, you know. Who says Fox was even willing to put up money? The concert does need to be paid for, after all.

  25. 25.

    gwangung

    Also: Jack Sikma! Used to love him back when the Sonics were Super.

    I’d just take Sonics, right now…super or not…

  26. 26.

    Wonk

    Anyone see Flowbee trying to stuff the Obama-hate genii back into the bottle today?

    I do not want this site or its writers to soak in bitterness or hatred. Those emotions are destructive and can physically damage the people consumed by such thoughts. I sincerely wish President-elect Obama well.

    Someone clearly doesn’t realize that the crazy train has already left the station.

    Whitey!

  27. 27.

    DougJ

    @Martin

    You don’t think Murdoch’s got the money? And think of all the bipartisan goodwill that would be generated by having Hannity or Cavuto emcee the thing. If Democrats want to get serious about competing in Red States, that’s the kind of outside-the-box thinking they’re going to need.

  28. 28.

    Brick Oven Bill

    Music is the expression of the soul. I have experienced this during my time as the lounge act at a Chinese restaurant in a very small town. The food was excellent before around 6:30pm but Tony started drinking at 5, so after 6:30, you were taking your chances. He no kidding lit the kitchen on fire one night and the place had to be evacuated.

    A drunk pulled a knife on me another night and Tony, in his 7:30 status, retained complete discipline, charged, and with a perfect kick sent the knife flying. Another datapoint as to the state of development of the modern human mind. This trait did not appear in either of my two European fans, who just kind of sat there drinking dollar drafts.

    Reverend Wright, at the National Press Club said:

    “Being different does not mean one is deficient. It simply means one is different, like snowflakes, like the diversity that God loves. Black music is different from European and European music. It is not deficient; it is just different.”

    I agree with this because the music at the Reverend’s talk today sounds pretty much like Marvin Gaye’s rendition presented by DougJ, which sounds nothing like James Taylor, which sounds nothing at all like my version of “Truckin’” at Tony’s.

    My guess is that 90% of the ‘blank slate’ theorists are white Democrats.

  30. 30.

    Delia

    I didn’t even get to watch the HBO concert yesterday since my teevee went to the great junkyard in the sky a few weeks ago, and my new one hasn’t come yet. Also, I don’t get HBO even when I have a set, and when I tuned in to the HBO internets site last night it was just a little bitty picture and it seemed to be near the end of the show.

    But now I’ve seen the Rt. Rev. Robinson on Youtube and I’m in the middle of downloading the whole HBO show from one of those horrible piratical sites that no one knows about. So I’m happy.

    And I’m going to get up bright and early tomorrow to go watch the inauguration at a local coffeehouse/pizza parlor that has a big screen teevee. So I’ll see it all and there will be no Republicans there.

  31. 31.

    DougJ

    @Brick Oven Bill

    Music is the expression of the soul. I have experienced this during my time as the lounge act at a Chinese restaurant in a very small town.

    What kind of music did you perform?

  32. 32.

    JGabriel

    @Brick Oven Bill:

    Music is the expression of the soul. I have experienced this during my time as the lounge act at a Chinese restaurant in a very small town.

    Wow.

    Life just doesn’t get any better than this.

    Well, except for maybe a few little moments, like Obama’s inauguration tomorrow.

    But that was a beautiful moment, BOB. Just beautiful. Like a very unique snowflake landing on a wingnut’s car hood while driving, standing on all six of tiny crystal points, and tap-dancing to the Village People’s YMCA.

    .

  33. 33.

    Notorious P.A.T.

    Red State is teh funny.

    What is signified by "teh" again? That must mean *something*, since people willingly use it, but I’m damned if I know what. What is supposed to cross my mind when I see that–"not only are Republicans hateful bigots, but they can’t spell, either! ! !"?

  34. 34.

    Brick Oven Bill

    I believe I am being baited.

    Our song list ranged from JT’s ‘Sweet Baby James’ to ‘Rape Me’ from Nirvana. It basically depended on the women in the audience.

  35. 35.

    DougJ

    Our song list ranged from JT’s ‘Sweet Baby James’ to ‘Rape Me’ from Nirvana. It basically depended on the women in the audience.

    How many people in the band?

  39. 39.

    Brick Oven Bill

    Definitely being baited.

    Depended on the night. But one of them played with Marshall Tucker and was released from that service for a reason which I do not know but have theories. Usually two. Sometimes just me. I think we had a dozen once, but they were very drunk.

    We also did children’s songs. I know Barney’s "I Love You, You Love Me".

  40. 40.

    slag

    Hate to sound all MUPpy Hopey and all, but I really enjoyed Obamapalooza. Those guys can really put on a show. It was well-choreographed, strongly thematic, and deeply moving. I could nitpick, but really, no point. Good stuff!

  41. 41.

    Martin

    You don’t think Murdoch’s got the money? And think of all the bipartisan goodwill that would be generated by having Hannity or Cavuto emcee the thing. If Democrats want to get serious about competing in Red States, that’s the kind of outside-the-box thinking they’re going to need.

    I know Murdoch has the money. Half my poker group has the money too, but they’re not going to buy the rights either. Murdoch has to want to drop the money for what he gets. HBO only got the rights for 6 months, so they have limited time to recoup their costs – HBO is pretty damn good at that, by the way. Fox really doesn’t do exclusive deals like this anyway.

    And going to Fox for this wouldn’t do shit. Conservative voters aren’t about to pony up $19.95 for the commemorative DVD of Beyonce and Usher and an invocation by a gay minister – this wasn’t their event. Obama is already working on the red states by having Warren up there tomorrow, among other things. Hannity and Cavuto? No, they’re never coming around to a position that Obama needs to carry to voters. Warren might. That’s why Warren is there. Obama doesn’t do posturing bullshit – he has a plan for Warren.

  43. 43.

    J. Michael Neal

    But my biggest problem with the festivities was the presence of people like James Taylor. That’s the kind of thing that makes us look weak to our enemies.

    James Taylor should only be allowed to sing the role of Charlie Mason.

  44. 44.

    CIRCVS MAXIMVS MMIX

    I have experienced this during my time as the lounge act at a Chinese restaurant in a very small town.

    I always thought there was something really wrong with you, now I think I’m beginning to understand. Tell me about your mother…

  45. 45.

    JGabriel

    @CIRCVS MAXIMVS MMIX: But this is far more disturbing:

    We also did children’s songs. I know Barney’s "I Love You, You Love Me".

    I really can’t tell if BOB is a spoof or the real deal. But if he’s not a spoof, that Barney bit is terrifying.

    .

  47. 47.

    gwangung

    I always thought there was something really wrong with you, now I think I’m beginning to understand.

    Really. It’s a piss-poor Chinese restaurant or a very small town that doesn’t have karaoke….Had to have been a real dive….

  49. 49.

    JGabriel

    @Brick Oven Bill:

    Be very afraid JGabriel. We’re a happy family.

    Ha! To be honest, I was really commenting on the awfulness of the song. The pedophilic reading, while obvious in retrospect, was actually unintended.

    .

  50. 50.

    Brick Oven Bill

    Two cocktail rule violation. There was a guy named Lee who had fought in Korea that worked there for tips and free food too. Lee and Tony would get into fights after Lee drank too much of Tony’s Black Velvet. In was fun to watch. Lee was the braggart and Tony kept his cool.

    Lee did not have complete control of his systems and would fart while serving food. I don’t think he meant it. We watched and laughed. Lee later died in his trailer and nobody found him until the smell.

    Tony’s business went under and he was known to urinate while spinning. I later saw his beautiful wife, who a man had once offered to rent for a thousand dollars, working at a casino.

  52. 52.

    Fern

    @Wonk:

    Anyone see Flowbee trying to stuff the Obama-hate genii back into the bottle today?

    Could have something to do with his traffic, which appears to be tanking over the last few months.

  53. 53.

    sus

    James Taylor is genius.

    Also, I love little places that have acoustic music. It’s nice to have dinner with live music. And, who wants to hear loud, pounding music while they’re eating dinner?

    Jazz or acoustic for dinner. Anything is not right.

  54. 54.

    AnneLaurie

    Vice President Dick Cheney pulled a muscle in his back while moving boxes and will be in a wheelchair for Tuesday’s inauguration ceremony.

    He was trying to kick Joe Biden’s new puppy, but the little bugger already moves too fast for Darth Cheney.

  56. 56.

    Mazacote Yorquest

    @Brick Oven Bill:
    "Two cocktail rule violation. There was a guy named Lee who had fought in Korea that worked there for tips and free food too. Lee and Tony would get into fights after Lee drank too much of Tony’s Black Velvet"

    Is your real name Carl Douglas?

  58. 58.

    Dan

    … James Taylor … makes us look weak to our enemies.

    Too bad. A Star Spangled Banner done like Marvin did it would have made us look sexy to our enemies.

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