President Obama Reveals Inspiration Behind His Al Green Imitation

Official White House Photo by Pete SouzaWhen President Obama made headlines singing Al Green's classic "Let's Stay Together" at a January fundraiser at The Apollo Theater in New York City, he says it was out of disappointment in missing Green's actual performance.

The President told RollingStone.com, "I wanted to hear Al Green.  The guys who were working the soundboard in the back, a couple of real good guys, they say, ‘Oh, man, you missed the Reverend, but he was terrific, he was in rare form.’  So I was frustrated by that.”  He continued, “I just kind of broke into a rendition of ‘Let’s Stay Together.’  And they’re like, ‘Oh, so the president, you can sing, man.  You should do that onstage.’”

Obama remembers a senior adviser was opposed to him performing, but his press secretary told him to "go for it."  When asked if he was nervous singing the song in front of Green, he replied, "Of course not.  This is No-Drama Obama we’re talking about.  I can sing,” he says.  “I wasn’t worried about being able to hit those notes.”

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio