Here is Paul McCartney's brain -- those terrific musical accomplishments of the early Beatles.Here is Paul McCartney's brain on drugs -- “I’m a big fan [of Barack Obama], he’s a great guy. So lay off him, he’s doing great.”
McCartney is set to perform at the White House tonight as the backdrop to his being awarded some musical prize. And rumors are that Team Obama laid down some strict rules regarding just which Beatle songs he could perform.
"Roll Over, Beethoven" and "Yesterday" were okay. And, of course, "Michelle." But among the songs definitely nixed were "Baby's in Black." Nothing racial in this; it was simply considered by WH staff too much of a reminder of the ongoing oil spill in the Gulf and how the President's inept reactions to this environmental disaster are threatening his political future. For the same reason he mustn't sing "Fixing a Hole" from the Sgt. Pepper album.
Also, given President Obama's dramatic fall in the public opinion polls, McCartney was told he couldn't sing "If I Fell," "I'm Down," "I'm a Loser," "It Won't Be Long, Now" or "Can't Buy Me Love."
Because the audience might be reminded of Obama's frequent gaffes when his teleprompter isn't around, the former Beatle isn't to sing "Tip of My Tongue" nor is he to give rise to the issue of Obama's missing birth certificate and closed school records by performing "Do You Want to Know a Secret," "Your Mother Should Know" or "Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except Me and My Monkey."
Also, due to the embarrassing disparity between Obama's socialist rhetoric and his vast personal fortune, McCartney was told to avoid "Baby, You're a Rich Man" or "Money (That's What I Want)."
And to be safe, songs that might cause audience members to think of Obama's general performance as Chief Executive are verboten -- songs like "Helter Skelter" or "Nowhere Man."
Finally, just in case Nancy Pelosi or Harry Reid should show up at the fete, McCartney was cautioned not to perform "The Fool on the Hill."
Otherwise, do your thing, Sir Paul. But please don't light that reefer until after the performance. As it is, Obama has taken enough criticism for smoking in the White House. And his cigarettes have plain old tobacco.
