Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Yo Yo Ma.

[hugosalarm]

Where and how did Stephen Harper come to memorize the lyrics of this highly revered song? Wanking and eavesdropping at the gates of Max Yasgur's farm? (Or was it the Gates of Eden?)

[zizimycat]

Harper certainly can fake it well...with a little help from his friends...on stage and in parliament. Well, we're not fooled. Watch him carefully and watch out.

[foxbatgump]

Is he taking bookings? We want him to play at Tank 77 in Taber on a Wednesday "wing night." It can be part of the economic recovery plan--injecting money into rural Canada.

[justofffish]

Wow!!! HARPER RULES!!!

[kimatoz3]

If Harper's got the guts to play beside Yo Yo Ma, he must have the guts to remain in the game.

[nstan1]

harpermania

[secretsofthemusicbiz]

The beginning of this song sounds very much like a pre-recorded backing track. Who on stage sings "Bill-ie Shears"? Yo Yo Ma faked his playing at Obama's inauguration. What makes this occasion different?

[432534324643256]

Amazing!

[senftours]

I luv the way this clip shows the very genuine, spontaneous, and loud show of appreciation from the audience.

Well done Mr. PM.

[butterbubs2000]

great perspective of 'it'. Thanks.

[leggs33]

This makes up for time he ditched his communion.

[mcgrats]

Looks like he got a well deserved standing O. Good job Stephen

[justofffish]

I used to vote Liberal in almost every election (except once when I voted NDP), but I've liked the way Harper handles the economy and things in general. Now that I see he's got a human side I'm sold! He's got my vote!!!

[tinyboggie]

So because the man gets up there and sings a favourite song of yours you are going to vote for him now?

Wow. wow. wow.

reminder: he plans to do zero for the enviroment, I really dont think he did much for the economy and I hope you dont care much for health care when you decide to vote for him!

BTW:

VOTE NDP

[Christianjr4]

There's a lot of people who have changed their mind about Harper with this one single clip alone. I've seen tons of comments already with people saying they will vote for Harper now because he did this. I'm the same. Before I wouldn't have voted for him, but now I will be. He's the best PM ever!!

[jer414]

same here lol....i didn't care about any of the politicians before but after watching this i think im gonna vote for him now that i know hes not a robot lol...

[tinyboggie]

Are you kidding me???

I am sorry to have to say this, but does no one realize that NOTHING in this mans platform changes just because he sang a little song?? He still has cut money in programs like literacy programs. He is still the same politician people!!!!

[Christianjr4]

Guy there's no use in trying to change what people think about Harper. HARPERMANIA is already here now and will be here for a long time to come....lol Congrats HARPER! You have my vote!

[1hmm2]

At the same time, his party has added more funding to programs than they have cut. They've added funding to a lot of important programs and are currently protecting the vulnerable through their stimulus spending.

[borghese1]

Super.

[witchdiva]

Luv it. Thanks for this perspective.

Well done Stephen et al.

[Luchik44]

cool

[wheelzwheela]

OH yeah listen to that crowd! Good Job and great song choice!

[justofffish]

For the record and in fairness to all, funds for the arts were actually increased 8% since Harper has been Prime Minister. What was reduced was funding for gala events.  So when times are tough shouldn't we give $ to the artists rather then spend it on parties???

[friday250]

....this is quite interesting...but there remain issues in digital-land...

[metalcello]

But one must look at how the money raised at Galas like the one at the NAC is used. I believe thhe purpose of the NAC Gala is to raise money for the National Youth and Education Trust.

[YelloMello101]

The words are "get by with a little help from my friends" its a bettles song loser!

[SuiteDrummer8]

woah thats cool but clearly you know nothing about the BEATLES when you cant even spell the name of the band

[wheelzwheela]

You told him... you obviously are an authority on the "bettles".

[YelloMello101]

He prformed amazing he has like grade 9 piano and ur probably sitting at home on ur ass writing nasty comment, grow up!

[GlassyDream]

Leave harper alone! Leave him alone im serious!! T_T

[xLetsGoOutInStylex]

Oh, loosen up. It's just a song.

[Taud]

Beautiful music.... stephen harper is a giant douche though....

[spinalzap]

Wow, it must have been a privilege to have been a part of this. It appears that all of the musicians on the stage approved of the performance.

Mr. Ma, with his history of performing for so many heads of state, looked to be absolutely pleased to perform with one. I know that he is a very emotional musician, but he was rocking more than anybody there.

Get this little ensemble into the studio to issue a recording of this as an extension of the fund-raiser. I'd buy a copy.

Thanks for this.

[wheelzwheela]

I was thinking they should release it... it would buy a copy as well.

[Rambonbon]

Stephen Harper is god!

[ghinatsu]

thanks for the "ending"

Iggie wouldn't be able to match this performance -he's as stiff as a 2x4 and as

far as carrying a tune Iggie has the vocal range of a tree

[senftours]

Thanks for posting this behind the scenes look. I think you did a great job. It shows the crowd reaction that we don't see when watching the media released version. Wow - they had to bring him back on to stage for a second bow because the standing ovation (yes, from the Arts community) kept going.

BRAVO, BRAVO!

[georgiantriangle]

harper is stoned out of his mind, you can even hear it in his voice !

[dsdookie]

omg

[huntermccartyney]

Obama got nothing on this.

[MisterSpeaker666]

Harper was an artist way before the recession you dribbling idiots! Join the praises of the best PM in 25 yrs. and get onboard a ship of winners not fools....

[reddeadlys]

hahah i love how he had to sing i get high with a little help with my friends

[Kevinkim7]

go HARPER!!!

[RyanV27]

Harper > Clinton

[RyanV27]

That's awesome! LOL

[parcave60]

That was fantastic! Makes me smile and I don't even like the guy.

[flickh]

Does Harper get HIGH with a little help from his friends?!?!? That's what the song says... I predict moral outrage from the far right...

[tednugentsghost]

Wow, a post from Canada's best acoustic bassist. Thanks, Joel!

[eringough]

hee hee very cool and not that bad.

[mmmikeey]

Go harper!!!

[darryndee]

he's still a drone.

[soledefender]

Stephen Harper plays piano? Well, in that case, he can't be a bad man.

[jl05xi]

If he had worn his infamous sweater whilst playing the piano, then I'd consider voting for him.

[edncda]

Thank you for having the presence of mind to record this so Canadians have the chance to see him without the usual media spin. He is an extremely gifted individual and Canada is very fortunate to be served by him - although the media constantly tries to brainwash us to believe otherwise. Among other qualities, he has integrity which is something many of his contemporaries are noticeably lacking.

[8krs]

Stephen Harper has always seemed to choose to avoid the spotlight and cameras. Its is wonderful to see this side of him, and to see him ourselves rather than through the scowling lens of most of our journalists. I love it.

[jimmyk1111]

woah...

he's human afterall!!!!

[fishy888]

This is really pretty cool!!!!

[mkereluik]

Love it! Go Stephen! Please do this more often!

[1hmm2]

I have been a lifelong artist and musician who gruduated from an Art school, and I've got to say Stephen Harper is a GREAT Prime Minister. He's principled and his policies make sense. I definitely support him.

[MrJuliusjag]

I couldn't agree more!

[MrJuliusjag]

Why is it that so many supporters of the arts think that the only way the arts can survive is if the govt. supports it?

[MrJuliusjag]

Awesome performance. Our PM does love the arts, contrary to what the mainstream media would have us believe.

[sprtn007]

I agree. He loves arts. But it's not the mainstream media that had us believe he didn't. It's actually Harper who told us he won't give any money to arts because they are a bunch of rich people going to galas. I think his wife got mad at him because she's one of those rich people in charge of those galas in Ottawa.

[ianmcandrewmusic]

Umm... the Beatles are not the arts. They're pop culture icons. Not the same thing at all.

[HarpersGuys]

It's about time! Every Prime Minister has gone on stage to sing or play music before leaving office and I applaud the Prime Minister. I know this must have been nerve racking (almost like an audition for Canadian Idol!). I'm glad he finally came out of his shell. I'm sure it took a lot of guts. No one should be teasing him for that! Everyone has done karaoke in their time!

[sprtn007]

Here here! It took guts for the guy to finally open up to Canadians a little. He comes off as too mean and cold most of the time. It's not a BAD thing to enjoy going to galas so he should not attack others for something he and his wife enjoy as well, even if it doesn't please his conservative base.

[theerocketman007]

I loved it. It shows he is human, a good thing of course. MORE of this please.

[krissbacon]

omg, he has a soul

[jenniferchocolat]

sign of the apocalypse.

[inbeta]

Great job with singing. Its truly an accomplishment what he did on stage, but underneath it all and in the back of my mind throughout the entire performance, I couldn't help but think that this is really just some political PR stunt to soften his icy-cold android-likeness.

[ronaldmac]

He should do more of this stuff, I thought he was a cyborg until now.

[biuku]

that takes guts. don't vote for the guy, but good job.

[Gliiidter]

Awesome! Way to go Harpo!

[aidenbluke]

Bravo!

[doggggboy]

Pretty cool.

[Harvschannel]

Awesome

[kickyourasspls]

i say you guys should leave out political rants already. PMs are humans too, they get to do what they like to do.

[lk1347]

Probably is politically motivated - he definitely lost a lot of votes with the furor about the arts funding - but well done anyways! Glad he did this - and glad you taped it!

[MrPunnoosej]

This probably his attempt at reconciliation or maybe he's just having fun. Either way, its brilliant! Remember Bill Clinton on the Saxophone anyone?

[Mistermuggz]

He get's by with a LOT of help from the NDP.

[Marky80808]

well done. harpers got some courage to do that. WELL DONE

[sssmashy]

This is fantastic.  Harper has class!

[hunterinalberta]

Our PM ROCKS!!!

[micheldaw]

Fantastic! Thanks for posting this. The thing about being Canadian is that no matter the political stripes, we are very close. This kind of thing is nice, pleasing and not all that surprising. I feel like getting a tatoo of a canadian flag all of a sudden.

[Pooby43]

It brought a smile to my face. Nice to see the Prime Minister out relaxed and having fun!

[potan221]

Shut up! Why can't you put politics aside for a moment and consider the fact he is the prime minister of all Canadians. I'd love to hear my prime minister play the piano any day, that is very Canadian of him to take a chance and be willing to lay back, relax, and have some fun.

[durbanbudz]

Great going PMSH!