Beyonce To Sing Obamas' Inaugural First Dance

NEW YORK — Beyonce has revealed the song she plans to serenade the Obamas with in their first dance as America's first couple _ and no, she won't be telling the president to "put a ring on it."

She will sing the Etta James classic "At Last."

Beyonce portrayed the blues great in the recent film "Cadillac Records" and sings the song in that movie.

Beyonce will sing to the Obamas at the Neighborhood Ball Tuesday night.

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."

It was revealed on Thursday that Beyonce would be serenading the Obamas at the event. But the song choice was not revealed by the Presidential Inaugural Committee.

"It is our hope that we can keep the song secret until the moment," said spokeswoman Linda Douglass.

But Beyonce decided to spill the beans herself Friday. Maybe it reflects her excitement: A day after Obama's victory, Beyonce giddily offered to do anything the Obamas needed at the inauguration during an interview. Beyonce, along with husband Jay-Z, were Obama supporters and went out to campaign for him during the election.

Beyonce recently had a No. 1 hit with her song "Single Ladies," with its catchy refrain to a former love: "If you like it then you should have put a ring on it."

Comments

[MrsKohler]

And for all of you who complained-----she just sang and hit it out of the park!!!

[neosoul]

Looks like if you’re considered ghetto you cannot partake in the party festivities. Only those deemed worthy. Poor B, in order to be accepted by the moral majority she has to change to fit the holy mold.

[americanalien]

Beyonce is the best female artist in America.

[broody]

Its always so good to hear Beyonce sing.
Check out some of her photo albums here:

http://celeb9.com/celeb/Beyonce_Knowles/photo_album/list

[americanalien]

Very beautiful. Thanks a lot. I just love her.

[lippy33]

I read she took the Amtrak just like Barack did and is having her people document her trip to Washington to sing for the Obamas for the public to see at some point. So anyone who thinks this isn't all about her is fooling themselves.

I think people just saw the Obamas as having more class and sophistication. Beyonce is many things, but classy is not one of them. The woman gyrates in her panties. And this is who they want to sing their first dance?

And it rubs people wrong that she was so public in her wanting to sing for them. she can really want to sing, but why tell the press? Why not just tell his people? Now it looks like she just gets whatever she wants---people don't want Obama to be that accessible to celebs like that.

[Chanel]

lippy33, you articulated my thoughts on the matter exactly.

[BEE246]

WELL SAID. I AGREE 100%. If she did not want the attention....do not even mention you wanted to perform. Keep quite like the other celebs that attended. BE HUMBLE...REFRAIN. CLASSY VERTERN ARTIST DO THAT. I did not see Aretha Franklin screamin I wanna perform. But no...Beyonce can not do that....she has to tell the world she gonna do this and that. It is about her people wake up. Remember people this is the woman who perform in Bush's inauguration. "WHEN I SAY GEORGE...YOU SAY BUSH! GEORGE..... BUSH GEORGE BUSH! So what that tells you she is about herself and marketing. Not the politcal issues.

[choosingme]

Haven't we been forced fed enough Beyonce already? This is all about her. For those who say it isn't why is it the day after the election she was campaigning to sing for the Obama's? Then they said they wanted to keep it a secret and low and behold, she goes and runs her mouth.

As far as the Obama's picking her because she is a favorite of theirs? Doubt that, you pick the people who will draw the biggest crowds and get the biggest ratings. Don't fool yourself.

[SignedSealedDelivered]

typical selfish beyonce...i am black, not hatin' but she is just awful. i agree w/ the earlier post...sing this!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPYMaF2vAmg

[Kiabell04]

Nooooooooooooooo! I was hoping for Jennifer Hudson or India.Aire.

[davidwayneosedach]

She will stop at nothing to get a little self promotion.

Unfortunately - she needs it.

[UWSDave24]

Bariis, you're on to something; and Wanjiru, you nailed it. Beyonce is all about the marketing, not the artistry. Etta James should be singing this song at the Inauguration and been given an all-expenses paid trip to D.C. to do it. Beyonce can play Etta James for the rest of her life, and sing "At Last" for the rest of her life, and she'll never be in Etta's league. I voted for Obama, and I am delirious he's going to be the next President. But after the swearing in, I'm tuning out and going back to work (thank God I can do that!), and I will pray the Obama administration will get down immediately to the serious task of saving this country. I want him to have his day and his due, but I worry there's no time to waste. Beyonce has no relevance to my life, so to those who enjoy her, have fun. I'll be wishing Etta had been given her props, though.

[Bariis]

I think Beyonce's been soliciting for the job for quite some time now. She's always hinting about how much it would be "an honor" to perform for Barack and Michelle specifically at the inauguration and not at one of "those" other inauguration balls.
She has this thing where she has to almost always get what she wants. Always be on top of things. It's a thing her and jay got going. I'm just saying...

[2beTrue]

Well said! The party that I will be at will be MUTING the TV once Beyonce starts that song and we will put on the real Etta James classic "At Last". We're not haters. We're just tired of bandwagon celebs hopping on the self promo tour. She needs to go away......for a long, long while!

[Wanjiru]

...interesting proposition.

...Etta James is still alive...I'm sure she would have liked to sing her own song...

...but naw...that would make too much sense........and goodness knows there's no room for sense (and/or even humility) in the Beyonce Knowles scheme of things....

...only ego...
.

[Sparty1]

Ms. Etta James would sound a helluva lot better than Beyawnce.

[noudidnt]

It's Matthew's fault.

[mypov123]

Singing "Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)" to the Obamas would be pointless because obviously Barack already did "put a ring on it" lol.

[shaytoonee]

I dont like this song. its not romantic enough. she should sing Dangerously in Love acoustic style.

[Sparty1]

She should also wear those little denim booty shorts from the video as well. Let's hope she leaves out all the hollering and screaming that normally goes along with her style.

[criquet]

What is wrong with you people?
Beyonce campaigned for Barack Obama along with her husband and offered to sing.
The song came later and was chosen by Beyonce. How could Obama have asked Etta James before? Now he can't uninvite Beyonce and get Etta James.
Please retain some sense of reason!

[Bariis]

Yea, I think that was the case with the song selection controversy. She chose the song only after the inaugural committee selected her.

[Lisa2000]

What's wrong it that Beyonce was NOT invited to sing but forced her way in. The same way her father has always put her in front as if she was entitled. I am very hurt that Obama's camp has chosen to give in to her. I truly like her as a performer. I actually purchased her last two cds. However, I will not purchase another Beyonce item. Beyonce begged on every show: Ellen, CNN for this opportunity. Hint, hint if they didn't call they didn't want her. I am not sure if she campaigned as I did, I saw a lot of stars support Obama, including Jay Z. I can't honestly say that I ever saw her campaigning (that is not to say that she did not). Anyway, Mariah Carey would have been a better person to sing the first song, at least she can write a REAL song that touches the heart, and she was invited. And the nerve to have to sing someone's song. It is pathetic!!!!!!!!!!! I am now going to pray and move on. Beyonce should be ashamed of herself but I am shore that she is not.

[MrsKohler]

MARIAH CAREY??? Seriously? She is a diva and a lunatic who's married to a fifteen year old. You want to talk about opportunistic? She married a child who she THOUGHT was up and coming to try and revive her career. I think her last cd sold 12 copies- including the one's her family bought. If you are going to come up with other ideas- that is cool with me- but think about it before you pick them out of a hat. Please. I have some ideas....

[BEE246]

Hello can some one say SELF PROMOTION.
I find it fititng Beyonce choses a song that promotes her movie Cadialliac records where she plays Etta James and sing the song "At Last". So I find it funny some people sitting here with a straight face saying this girl was geniuiene give me a break. She marketed herself. I also heard President Obama and Michelle did not chose her it was the INAURGAL COMMITTEE.