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Al Green Turned Down President Obama

Scheduling conflicts prevented the soul legend from singing "Let’s Stay Together" at the Inaugural Ball.

Al Green’s "Let’s Stay Together" has secretly become a theme song of sorts for Barack Obama’s second term — even though Green himself hasn’t gotten to sing it for the president yet.

Obama showed off his surprisingly smooth falsetto by crooning the song at a fundraiser — also attended by Green — in Harlem last year. This year, Jennifer Hudson sang the classic soul ballad at the Inaugural Ball on Monday, prompting many to wonder why Green wasn’t singing his own hit for the president and friends.

However, in a statement to The Associated Press, Green’s representative said the soul legend had been asked to perform the song, but that scheduling conflicts prevented him from attending. Green said he'd be honored to sing for the first couple in the future.

There’s a good chance that will happen, as the president’s obviously a huge fan. "I cannot sing like you," Obama told Green after he brought down the house when he sang a snippet of “Let’s Stay Together” last year. "I just wanted to show my appreciation."

The Presidential Inaugural Committee did not immediately respond to the AP's request for comment.
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(Photos from left: Win McNamee/Getty Images, Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)

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