Obama Sings Al Green, Turns 'Let's Stay Together' Rendition Into Ringtone

President Barack Obama hit the ground running this week with his newfound fame as a musical entertainer. The Obama campaign has released a ringtone version of Al Green's "Let's Stay Together," available for download on the campaign website.

During a fundraiser at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem on Thursday, Obama surprised the crowd by breaking into song during a speech. The clip of Obama's rendition of Al Green's classic hit "Let's Stay Together," has created a buzz, giving the president some lighthearted media attention as he begins to embark on his 2012 reelection campaign.

In 2008, the Obama Campaign ran a technologically savvy and innovative campaign. His use of social networking, new media and grassroots-style organizing made him something of an icon. With the latest ringtone, his campaign looks to be attempting to continue its innovative use of technology to create a unique camaraderie among supporters, staffers and volunteers.

Since Obama's election, however, his "rock star" status has tapered off a bit as the reality of America's problems have put his once flawless reputation to the back burner in favor of stringent criticism by many Americans of not just his presidency, but the overall political process as well. Although the Obama Administration has made tremendous strides over the last 4 years in helping to get the country back on track, the campaign is leaving nothing to chance and is clearly determined to pick up where it left off in 2008.

Thursday's fundraiser drew about 1400 supporters who dished out between $100 - $5000 for the event, which also included performers such as India Arie and Al Green. A number of $25,000 VIP tickets were also available. Obama also made an appearance at the home of Spike Lee Thursday, while in New York for another star-studded fundraiser, where he raised about $1.6 million. In the last few months of 2011 Obama raised $68 million for the campaign and DNC. According to the Washington Post, Obama raised $500 million online in 2008. With the tremendous progression of the internet over the last four years it is expected that Obama could raise up to $1 billion for the 2012 election, the Washington Post reports.

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Comments

[BocaMom]

01:31 AM on 02/02/2012

Too funny. I heard the Republicans are offering a ringtone that has Obama saying, "I will be accountable. If I don't turn around the economy in three years, I will be a one-term president." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCN5-ovvFL0 and "Adding $4 Trillion is irresponsible and unpatriotic." http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=1kuTG19Cu_Q Unfortunately, Obama added over $6 Trillion to the debt. Oops!

[shadyladymiami]

08:55 AM on 02/23/2012

I downloaded the Al Green lyric to my phone!

[RobH413]

12:50 PM on 01/23/2012

This was a huge risk that paid off. If he had been off key (okay he was a little off key, but not enough that most would notice), if his falsetto had cracked, it would have been a disastrous YouTube sensation. Good for him, for having a little fun. Let's see Newt sing something.

For some reason, I'm reminded of the 1988 Democrat primary candidates being asked what their favorite song was. Most of them predictably answered by saying the national anthem or God Bless America was their favorite song. Jesse Jackson answered that his favorite song was "Red Rubber Ball" from the 1960s. He loved its optimism in the face of heartbreak. Can't remember the group that did it, but few people know that it was a Paul Simon composition, a song that I recently heard him say was the only one of his songs that he is embarrassed by.

[RepublicanTexasHammer]

09:57 AM on 01/23/2012

election.*

[patnamm]

10:01 AM on 01/23/2012

RepublicanTexasshole.

[ddemos]

03:27 AM on 01/23/2012

This is so funny, because I'll bet 10,000 (of Romney's money)...that the campaign did not want him to sing that in the first place...

I love that this president doesn't make me cringe the way Bush did...

[kdlaiusa]

04:21 AM on 01/23/2012

To be honest and not be overly sentimental, the image of Bush can still make me throw up big time.

[phoebe54]

01:12 PM on 01/23/2012

Yeah, Newt stimulates my gag reflex.

[LinaJo02]

12:28 AM on 01/23/2012

I can't find the ringtone on the campaign site to purchase. Have anyone else found it? If so, where is it?

[Cynth]

02:32 AM on 01/23/2012

http://www.barackobama.com/ringtone?utm_source=content&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=20120121_bo_tw_ringtone

[DinSea]

02:56 AM on 01/23/2012

http://www.barackobama.com/ringtone/

[nicole473]

11:32 PM on 01/22/2012

Newsweek cover story by an Independent on Obama's job performance.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/01/15/andrew-sullivan-how-obama-s-long-game-will-outsmart-his-critics.html

[D-V-H]

12:24 AM on 01/23/2012

Well worth the read, for liberals and conservatives alike.
Thank you

[nicole473]

12:59 PM on 01/23/2012

You're welcome. Glad you enjoyed it.

[redrigs]

02:26 PM on 01/23/2012

Here's another good site!

http://obamaachievements.org/list

[Mistinguette Grandison]

12:22 AM on 01/24/2012

I've read it. It's good

[bestoftimes1]

10:27 PM on 01/22/2012

In 2008 he did run a good campaign, now it's 2011 and he has to run on his record and that's dismal.

[thebelldog]

11:39 PM on 01/22/2012

Thanks for the well thought out comment with the stunning level of detail, Usually we get tired talking points (from republicans) that add nothing to the conversation. You truly are a breath of fresh air.

[thebelldog]

12:07 AM on 01/23/2012

Just wanted to make sure the sarcasm came through. I think we need something like a backward leaning italic too represent snark.

[ddemos]

03:28 AM on 01/23/2012

oh we got it...and you couldn't be more on point...

fanned

[D-V-H]

11:51 PM on 01/22/2012

I'm sure OBL & Kaddaffi would have a lot to say about that...........if they could.

[grandpaMark]

10:21 PM on 01/22/2012

George Wallace lost his first run for Alabama governor, by avoiding the obvious racist tactics of his opponent. He swore he'd "never get out-n!ggered again." Newt took the same vow.

[Fan Tastic]

09:12 PM on 01/22/2012

♥ O ♥ B ♥ A ♥ M ♥ A ♥

[evesapple]

08:05 PM on 01/22/2012

Ohh isn't Michelle a luck lady getting stuff like that crooned in her ear.

Much sweeter than Gingrich spewing God Bless Me...err.. America...

[bluntobject]

03:14 AM on 01/23/2012

Newt most likely can't do much crooning due to all the heavy breathing and gasping for air.

[ddemos]

03:30 AM on 01/23/2012

he croons in his own ear...

[arthur99]

07:18 PM on 01/22/2012

this will really rile up the consack base, increase in registered voters since 1996
white 9% to 66%
blacks 25% to 61%
by 2016 or 2020 it will be even
and blacks vote over 90% dem

this is why the repubs are trying to disenfranchise them with ID laws (the poor are less likely to drive, etc.)

new registerd voters in 2008 5 mil
% black 40
% white 8
% hispanic 40
% asian 12

the percentage of young (vastly dem) as voting age population is increasing, the elderly (the repub base) are dying, and the baby boomers (more dem than repub) are the big group in the demographic

by 2020 the dems could have an insurmountable advantage, hence the ID laws, redistricting, etc.
the repubs know this, and they are scared

[oceanye]

02:46 AM on 01/23/2012

All true; but the Republicans still control the polling places and the polling machines - they also OWN at least 90% of all MEDIA.

[ddemos]

03:31 AM on 01/23/2012

They live in fear...that's why Fox is so popular for them...they scare the sh** out of them and they love it...

[MacQ]

06:47 PM on 01/22/2012

That's the same campaign strategy he used last time:
Convince them they're voting for American Idol.

[arthur99]

06:49 PM on 01/22/2012

that would be pa lin

[ljc]

06:49 PM on 01/22/2012

Bull...that was the media press_titutes that did that.

[ljc]

06:44 PM on 01/22/2012

They should all do it.

Mitt could use " Money, Money, Money...it's a Rich Man's Game by ABBA

Rick S could use a hymn

Newt could use " You Cheated....You Lied...when you said that you love me.

Ron Paul could use........" Freedom " by Richie Havens

[kooldalai]

07:07 PM on 01/22/2012

Newt should be "Your Cheatin' Heart" by Tammy Wynett

[lizmckenzie55]

07:28 PM on 01/22/2012

lol ... excellent ... f/f!

[illini74]

11:22 PM on 01/22/2012

outstanding! f/f

[Martha Fair]

08:34 PM on 01/22/2012

Newt can use "Humpty Dumpty"

[wonderfullone]

11:39 PM on 01/22/2012

Newt will be like Humpty Dumpty falling off the wall if he's the chosen sacrificial Cl*wn that faces Obama in the presidential debates.

[ber6965]

10:43 AM on 01/23/2012

I actually call newt, Lumpy Dumpty!

[ljc]

06:39 PM on 01/22/2012

REMIX President Obama Sings Al Green REMIX!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=wR9NaO48t50

This one has the music dubbed in......

[arthur99]

06:24 PM on 01/22/2012

he ought to sell the ringtones if he isn't
$5 a pop times 10 mil people, easy 50 mil

[lizmckenzie55]

07:28 PM on 01/22/2012

huh?

[arthur99]

08:24 PM on 01/22/2012

sell them. like many ringtones are, for a $5 donation, easy to implement, everyone has a phone, the carrier does the collection and billing

[DinSea]

02:57 AM on 01/23/2012

I know! Maybe they'll offer others for sale. This one is being GIVEN AWAY!
http://www.barackobama.com/ringtone/