Providence Mayoral Candidate Chris Young Serenades TV Anchor, Proposes To Girlfriend During Debate (VIDEO)

Democratic Providence mayoral candidate Chris Farley Young raised some eyebrows and smiles on TV this week when he traded conventional talk of politics for a soulful ditty about a "rich man who stands in his house." A few days later, he raised the bar of spontaneous affectionate display -- already set quite high by himself -- by proposing to his girlfriend during the closing remarks of a live televised debate.

During a Monday appearance on Fox Providence's "Coffee With The Candidates," host Elizabeth Hopkins seemed rather taken aback by the "perennial gadfly candidate's" choice to fill up his entire interview segment with a heart-felt song, but Young was undeniably well prepared (pitch failures aside), with a recording of a softly crooning guitar riff and some interesting lyrics:

To the rich man who stands in his house high upon the hill.

The chains that bind you the flames surround you, for the price you have received.
What good are those riches, and are they worth the cost?
Are you lost?
Too rich to see Jesus and the poor.
Are you lost?
Too far to see Jesus from where you are.
To the poor and lame imprisoned and enslaved
Be not afraid.
It is the son of God who stands with you.
And are you lost?

That's as far as Young could get before Hopkins was forced to cut him off, which is really too bad because the guitarist for Young's band just happened to be waiting out in the lobby for a totally impromptu performance.

For most people, making such a scene on live television would fill the weekly quota for awesomeness, but not for Chris Young.

During a mayoral debate on Tuesday night, Young again stole the scene when he proposed to his girlfriend and campaign manager mid-closing statement. She said yes, but really, who wouldn't?

We know that Young is not actually the ghost of Chris Farley, but still, we can't help but wonder if he might live in a van down by the Providence River. If he does, we're pretty sure he's more than content there.

Watch Chris Young sing on Fox Providence:

Watch Chris Young propose to his girlfriend during debate:

Comments

[Man Of Manners]

09:51 AM on 09/10/2010

The clip of him on MSNBC is much better. Ranting about Jesus and other religious stuff.

[ctekin]

02:10 PM on 09/09/2010

He said, "I hope you learned something from it."

What an odd guy.

[Myra Hawkin]

07:24 AM on 08/29/2010

Here is a beautiful cover of this song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHG2ec2K43c

[Mares]

12:22 AM on 08/26/2010

If he lived in a van by the Providence River, he wouldn't actually be living in Providence, and thus would be ineligible to run for mayor. For the sake of accuracy the rivers that run through Providence are the Woonasquatucket and Moshassuck which are the original Narragansett place names. But seriously, we have enough homeless people in Providence, and living by a river, or under an over pass isn't humorous.

I wish the candidate would have actually put out a position statement, otherwise he won't be taken seriously.

[Brian Lemek]

10:44 PM on 08/25/2010

With his proposal he let the entire country think that Rhode Island doesn't want to be taken seriously... (assuming we still have their interest) so what if our unemployment rivals Nevada and Michigan, our graduation rate is the lowest in the Northeast (38th nationally), and our tax structure makes us the 48th most acceptable state for business. He has used his 15 minutes to make a Fenwayesque public proposal, outrageous claims of mafia connections, and budget deficits. He has no agenda aside from making us all suffer from second-hand embarrassment. Please America, forgive him, he will disappear into obscurity soon.

[kenhamlett]

10:37 PM on 08/25/2010

This is perhaps the most embarrassing display during an embarrassing year. If I lived in Providence, I might consider moving.

[DrJay1966]

10:00 PM on 08/25/2010

Some ridiculous behavior...and yet, somehow, it's hard not to like the guy...

[Henri101]

05:42 PM on 08/25/2010

What a certifiable fool who decides to debased himself on television; a smart woman would say, no.

[independentjukebox]

09:50 PM on 08/25/2010

look it's a bit quirky. but I rather have my candidate propose his love for one vs one who says " REGROUP, RELOAD".

[Midnightrain]

05:08 PM on 08/25/2010

What a brilliant way to steal your opponents thunder. Ha ha ha ha!! Brilliant!

[chabuka]

04:58 PM on 08/25/2010

How the hell do these clowns with their foolish behavior, sell themselves to those who are looking for "serious leadership, with answers" (and not for American Idol or America's Got Talent contestants) for a country in deep trouble....?

[AlexFTW]

11:50 AM on 08/26/2010

Dude, he's a mayoral candidate, climb off your frackin' horse, ok?

[chabuka]

01:14 PM on 08/26/2010

Are you suggesting we should not have taken Mayor Nagin, Daley or Giuliano serious...? I'm sorry I didn't mean to insinuate your favorite TV programs were not intellectual.... I am NOT a Dude......

[Keith52]

04:38 PM on 08/25/2010

"Will you marry me" says one candidate and the other says "I'll be on the ballot". What the he// is going on? Those are the last ideas they want to leave voters with after a debate??? Numb-nuts.

[Fenarkleman]

04:35 PM on 08/25/2010

He may have a thinning hair line, but he's got guts. And he's a dead ringer for SNL's Bobby Moynihan.

[PolicyWonkette]

04:22 PM on 08/25/2010

Politics is like the entertainment business -- attracts a lot of narcissists.

[iMissMollyIvins]

02:10 AM on 08/26/2010

These days politics is part of the entertainment business, how else do you explain Sarah Palin?

[MidRoaderTurnedLeft]

04:15 PM on 08/25/2010

Despite this: Providence is a pretty nice city.

[rgilley]

04:08 PM on 08/25/2010

This seems to show clearly that all the wackos aren't republicans.

[SunniWang]

02:16 PM on 08/26/2010

I am from Rhode Island and he is not a real democrat.. look at all his stances. he is a democrat in name only... There are a lot of repubs that campaign as dem's here because it 's easier to get elected