President Obama's Hit List? What's Yours PM Lee?

U.S. Presidential Election 2012 Voting in Singapore? Or Obama, PM Lee Pop Song List?

It's interesting to find out pop song choices of world leaders and because I have never heard of such a topic mentioned or even discussed on our local blogs  I thought I would peek on the Net to find out more.  But it was disappointing because I couldn't find any of our leaders singing on stage or revealing their choice of pop or classical music hits.  Most of them would probably have "more important things to do", so the cliche goes.

Prime Minister Lee singing at Marina Barrage in 2009.

PM Lee Hsien Loong, on the other hand, sang Beautiful Sunday an evergreen since 1972 composed by Daniel Boone. This pop performance happened three years ago at a Marina Barrage gathering where he was accompanied by a guitar group of serving MPs. But I don't know if he has a list of favourite pops?

President Obama singing at the White House in February 2012

So for today's posting I decided to pick  one down to earth, casual and pleasant world leader's choice of personal pops and since he will have to face challenger Mitt Romney for the next *US presidency in a few days on 6th November, I thought it a good idea to find out US President Barack Obama's taste for pop hits.  Not a Herculean task since the information is easily available.


Sheryl Crow

According to some websites he has a list of songs that he loves and this groovy guy makes no qualms about who his favourite music-makers are. The bands and artistes from the 60s and 70s include, The Rolling Stones, Sheryl Crow, Elton John and Earth, Wind n Fire. And Stevie Wonder is his hero since the 1970s.

It is common knowledge that The Rolling Stones' song, Gimme Shelter (1969) tops his favourite pop list. His selection also contains about 30 songs from Bob Dylan, especially the composition Maggie's Farm (1965) which "speaks" to him because of its political rhetoric.  And his choice of jazz legends? It has names like Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Charlie Parker. Fantastic! This man knows his music.  A cool dude indeed!

Vinyl record cover features Bruce Springsteen

Another pop star whom Obama looks up to is Bruce Springsteen. Not only does he love Springsteen's compositions, he  loves him as a person because, according to The President, Springsteen has never lost track of his roots, knows who he is and has never put on a front.  And Obama addresses him as the Boss.


Screen Grab from You Tube: White House with brilliant array of pop music makers.

And like PM Lee, does the US President sing?  Of course.  He gave his rendition of Sweet Home Chicago, a 1937 blues standard during the Red, White and Blues event at the White House this year (2012).  He sang the few lines, Baby Don't You Want To Go... with some persuasion from B.B. King, Mick Jagger and Buddy Guy who were present.

60s Music on RTS (image from Mun Chor Seng).

I wonder what it would take for some of our chieftains to have at least a pop song list, let alone sing in public.  Yes, we understand. As government leaders you need to be serious with election promises, the economy, etc. but too serious an image may lose you votes. So come on out with your list of hits. Even Singapore pop songs from the 60s, 70s and beyond?

Comment anyone?

Images from: Google and You Tube screen grabs.
Image 6: Mun Chor Seng (Copyright).

[The U.S. Presidential Election is on Tuesday, 6 November 2012 between Barack Obama - Democrat and Mitt Romney - Republican.]

OBAMA wins Presidential Election 2012.  Most US citizens in Singapore share joy.