14 DAY TRIAL // Speculation of Beyonce performing at the Presidential Inauguration came at an end yesterday, when a spokesperson confirmed that, indeed, she would be the first artist to sing to President Obama. The song was, however, meant to be a surprise – a detail that Beyonce was probably not aware of, as she has just revealed what track she would be singing.
Speaking with Entertainment Tonight about how it felt like to be chosen to sing for the first dance of America’s first couple, Beyonce also revealed, most likely unintentionally, the name of the track. “I am so honored that I will be performing for President Obama and the First Lady. To sing ‘At Last’ [by Etta James] while they have their first dance is a dream come true. I could not be more honored and excited that they have asked me to be part of this moment in history.” the singer said.
As noted above, this came just hours after a representative for the Presidential Inauguration Committee confirmed that Beyonce would be the opening act, while also adding that “It is our hope that we can keep the song secret until the moment.” If that was the plan from the very start, it might just as well be that they forgot to speak of it to the person who should have been the first to be consulted, namely Beyonce, the media is now saying.
The Inauguration will take place on Sunday (January 18), at the Lincoln Memorial, and will include more performances from acts such as Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, John Legend, Bono, William, Mary J. Blige and James Taylor, among many others. Initially, rumor had it that Beyonce would be singing “I’m Proud to Be an American [God Bless the USA],” a cover of country singer and fervent patriot Lee Greenwood’s song with the same title.
As the media is slowly building this up into a “they said – she said” thing, an official statement from Beyonce on why she was not aware that she should not have disclosed the name of the song she would perform is still pending.