Barack Obama has replaced “Hail to the Chief” with this song by Sting- “Desert Rose” featuring Algerian-born raï singer singer Cheb Mami singing in Arabic:
Hat Tip Jamie Allman on 97.1 FM
This Arabic language song will be played at public events instead of the traditional “Hail to the Chief.”
Change.
NewsBusters and Mark Knoller reported:
On Day One of his presidency, everywhere Mr. Obama went they played “Hail to the Chief” for him – but not since. In fact the U.S. Marine Band’s duties at the White House over the last 10 days appear to have been dramatically downsized.
Instead of the usual contingent of trumpets, tubas and drums, a single piano player now provides musical interludes before and after the president’s appearance.
And the tunes have little connection to the military marching music of John Phillips Souza [sic] that is the usual accompaniment to presidential appearances. These days the pianist’s repertoire includes Cole Porter’s “Night and Day” and Sting’s “Desert Rose.”
“He’s not a ‘Pomp and Circumstance’ kind of guy,” says press secretary Robert Gibbs of the new president.
From the video:
Boy, this won’t help Obama squelch those Muslim rumors any.
MORE… Chisum added this on the lyrics:
Lyrics from the song.
“I realize that things are not what they seem.”I’ll say!
UPDATE: By the way, I agree with Atlas. It is a beautiful song… Just not for POTUS.
