Former Beatle Paul McCartney serenaded Michelle Obama in the White House in Washington, DC yesterday (June 2), after accepting the third Gershwin Prize For Popular Song from the President. He sang the Beatles classic "Michelle" to the first lady, focusing on the smitten Mrs. Obama.
"I love you, I love you, I love you," he sang to Michelle Obama during the 90-minute White House concert. He later quipped that he might be the "first guy ever to be punched out by a president."
Jack White and Dave Grohl were on hand at the tribute event for McCartney, as well as Elvis Costello, Stevie Wonder, Emmylou Harris, The Jonas Brothers and Faith Hill. During the presentation, President Barack Obama said that the iconic singer and bassist had "helped to lay the soundtrack for an entire generation".
McCartney added: "I don't think there could be anything more special than to play here."
The event was taped for a PBS special that will air July 28. But we've got some video of a stirring singalong to "Hey Jude," with Obama taking part alongside the esteemed musicians and McCartney coaxing some admirable crowd participation.
McCartney gave the stage to other performers. Jack White did a Delta Blues take on “Mother Nature’s Son,” while Grohl turned out a tongue-in-cheek “Band On The Run.” Stevie Wonder, last year’s winner, was also around to do “We Can Work It Out,” as well as an “Ebony And Ivory” duet with Paul. Herbie Hancock and Corinne Bailey Rae's "Blackbird" was gentle and gorgeous as well.
For Grohl, an original D.C. local boy, performing at the White House was a bit of a homecoming. "I have probably played every club and every basement and every arena and every stadium," said Grohl, "Paul, you're definitely my hero. Mr. President, you're my other hero."
Elvis Costello's rendition of "Penny Lane" carried some personal meaning for the English singer: "Music is often an us-against-them proposition," Costello said. "The next song you're going to hear is named after a place from which my mother comes from — about half a mile away. So you can imagine when this thing of wonder and beauty came on the radio, myself as a young man, my dad, my mam, and the cat, all stood up and took notice. And I think it's a beautiful way that Paul's songs unite us."
Watch Obama present the award to McCartney, as well as Paul's speech, below:
