Six musical politicians: from a rapping Michael Gove to a tender, crooning Vladimir Putin
Norman Baker wants to focus on his band The Reform Club, but he’s not the only pop star politician
Norman Baker quit as a Home Office minister today – mainly because of his frustrations with the department, but partly so he could spend more time pursuing his passion for music. The 57-year-old is lead singer of a band called The Reform Club, which is about to release its second album. The Liberal Democrat is not the first politician to dabble in rock and roll. Here are six politicians showing off their music skills:
Vladimir Putin
In 2010, the Russian President took a break from his macho expeditions – such as judo and shirtless horse riding – to sing a gentle rendition of Blueberry Hill at a children’s charity dinner in St Petersburg. Audience members, including Sharon Stone and Kevin Costner, clapped and swayed as he sang in heavily-accented English. "Like an overwhelming majority of people, I can neither sing nor play," he told them, "but I very much like doing it."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Lembit Opik
Perhaps it was the days of dating Gabriela Irimia from The Cheeky Girls that inspired Lembit Opik to star in a music video of his own. Two years after losing his seat at the 2010 general election, the Liberal Democrat agreed to mime a song by unsigned band The Good Suns in a peculiar pop video filmed on a rooftop in Greenwich. The former MP shows off some epic Dad-moves, interspersed with bizarre scenes where he argues on his phone, hides behind a potted plant and tries out his own special type of Parkour.
Norman Baker
The Lib Dem MP has been in The Reform Club since the 1990s. Last year, the band released a single called Piccadilly Circus, a cheerful pop song with a hint of The Kinks and lyrics such as: "London Bridge is falling down / Zombie tourists flock into town / Buying plastic policeman." The Sunday Times says Baker sounds "a little like Ringo Starr", but even he admits the band is unlikely to get chased by huge numbers of fans.
Barack Obama
Even the President of the United States cannot help breaking into song from time to time. Barack Obama gave America a snippet of his vocal skills at a fundraiser at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem two years ago. He thanked R&B star Al Green for warming up the crowd before singing a line of Let's Stay Together. The crowd cheered wildly as he crooned: "Ahhhhm... so in love with you." Green later told TMZ he thought the president "nailed it".
Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton was no exception either. He was invited to join Israeli singer Liel Kolet on stage at Shimon Peres’s 80th birthday in 2003, where they performed John Lennon’s Imagine with a group of Israeli and Arab children. The US news website Salon suggested the president was a bit rusty on the lyrics but gave him credit for trying. "You have to love the chutzpah required to stand in front of thousands and warble out a song you barely know."
Michael Gove
Earlier this year Michael Gove, then education secretary, performed the Wham! rap to a group of school children. A week after the minister professed his love for 'chap hop' star Mr B The Gentleman Rhymer, one school girl asked for a taster of his favourite rap song. With barely a pause, Gove duly obliged with what he termed "quite a vanilla rap" by George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The week's best photos
In Pictures Playful goslings, an exploding snowman, and more
By Anahi Valenzuela, The Week US Published
-
What is rock flour and how can it help to fight climate change?
The Explainer Glacier dust to the rescue
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Crossword: April 19, 2024
The Week's daily crossword puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
'Islamic State attacks from Afghanistan into Iran and now Russia should be wake-up calls'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Putin's sham election
Opinion Protest votes show Russian dissent still simmers
By Susan Caskie Published
-
Russia blames Ukraine for deadly ISIS Moscow attack
Speed Read Putin has ignored the Islamic State's claim of responsibility for the concert hall shooting
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Barack Obama 'behind Starmer transformation'
Under The Radar The former US president urged Labour leader to 'talk more openly'
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Will Aukus pact survive a second Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question US, UK and Australia seek to expand 'game-changer' defence partnership ahead of Republican's possible return to White House
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
'Is Hollywood undergoing a gun reform reckoning?'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
What can we expect from Vladimir Putin's fifth term?
Today's Big Question 'Conflict abroad and crackdown at home' to continue after Russian president secures new mandate
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's preordained win marred by protests
speed read Voters participated in a silent protest — endorsed by late opposition leader Alexei Navalny — against the president
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published