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Obama, McCartney, White, Grohl Sing “Hey Jude”!

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Wednesday night, the White House was home to a one-time-only performance from the universe’s most mind-boggling supergroup, starring Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, Jack White, Dave Grohl, Elvis Costello, Corinne Bailey Rae, the Jonas Brothers, Emmylou Harris, Faith Hill, and some very special guests, President Obama and the first family, all singing the Beatles’ “Hey Jude.”

Watch video of the rousing sing-along below. Props to the President for a job well done in the Dad department: the first daughters knew all the words!

The song was part of a special ceremony and concert in honor of McCartney, who received the prestigious Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. Guest artists — also including Herbie Hancock and Chinese classical pianist Lang Lang — covered Macca’s songs: Grohl played Wings’ “Band on the Run,” White “Mother Nature’s Son,” Costello “Penny Lane,” Hancock and Rae “Blackbird,” and the JoBros “Drive My Car.” [Via New York Times]

But the real star was McCartney. “Tonight, it is my distinct pleasure to present America’s highest award for popular music on behalf of a grateful nation — grateful that a young Englishman shared his dreams with us,” Obama said of the former Beatle, the first non-American to receive the award, whom the President also called “the most successful songwriter in history.”

Macca also played his own set, which included a serenade of the First Lady with “Michelle.”

Macca praised Obama’s efforts in the Oval Office. “Even though we all know you’ve got lots of really difficult issues to deal with, I just want you to know that you have billions of us who are routing for you and we know you are going to come through,” he said.

The ceremony was filmed by PBS and will air July 28. Below, watch the all-star sing-along on “Hey Jude,” plus footage of Macca accepting his award.

All-star “Hey Jude” Sing-Along at the White House
https://www.youtube.com/embed/xxkVAXSUdW8

McCartney Accepts Award from Obama
https://www.youtube.com/embed/vuPXpKPh4Uw