Madame la Présidente
Even though there are only a million French-speakers in Switzerland, we’ve got our own national television station. One of the monthly shows brings musicians and singers from all over the world to Geneva to record before a live studio audience of several hundred music lovers.
Alain Morisod hosts the show. Last Saturday night he had Micheline Calmy-Rey as his guest and she sang “Les trois cloches” (The three bells).
Now you’re thinking: No big deal. Except that Micheline Calmy-Rey is the current president of Switzerland. The Genevoise by adoption has the top spot for a year and is the second femme president we’ve ever had.
The lady has guts and brains. Not known for her singing ability, and with a bit of a Cruella Deville look (the political cartoonists often depict her with a fried egg on her head, or even a bird-dropping… thus imitating her hair color), this did wonders for her popularity and the Swiss very much enjoyed seeing her on the show.
While watching the youtube.com clip, the question popped into my head: What would recent presidents / prime ministers sing if they had the chance to perform? What do you think?
Well, there was Clinton on the sax…
May 24th, 2007 at 3:14 pm
Good thing you placed the a between the s and the x and not an e cause there was that whole other thing with Clinton.
I’m at a loss for songs - but if inspiration strikes I’ll repostacomment.
May 24th, 2007 at 4:23 pm
Pres. Bush is better at stand up comedy than musical vocals.
May 24th, 2007 at 9:09 pm
Is that “belles” or bells”? I thought “cloches” were bells, of the ringing variety, not belles of the dancing-at the-ball-until-two-in-the-morning variety. A fried egg on the head would tend to ruin the party.
May 25th, 2007 at 12:08 am
I actually think President Bush would be awesome on the COW BELL.
What this song needs here is some more cow bell.
May 25th, 2007 at 6:53 am
Wendy gets the honorary French award for locating the extra “e”.
Well done, girle!
May 25th, 2007 at 1:35 pm
Pres. Clinton - “To All The Girls I’ve Loved Before” by Willie Nelson and the Spanish Guy
May 25th, 2007 at 2:44 pm
Very, very good, Cecil. I knew I could count on you to pull up a song title. You win the prize…
How ’bout:
Carter: Found a peanut.
Reagan: There’s no business like show business.
Bush Jr.: Problems (Everly Brothers)
Bush Sr.: Already gone (Eagles)
May 25th, 2007 at 3:06 pm
I hate it when I pull up the comments and Randy has stolen my line.