Aretha (and Her Bow) Barack the Inauguration

Really, it's only fitting that the entertainment for newly minted President Barack Obama's inauguration was a first lady in her own right.

Aretha Franklin Performs My Country, Tis Of Thee At The Historical Inaguration 2009

Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin took to the dais and belted out, for all the world to hear, "My Country 'Tis of Thee" in honor of the 44th president of the United States' history-making entrance into the White House this morning.

And while her less-than-understated bedazzled bow hat threatened to upstage the legendary singer, the performance went off without a pitchy hitch.

Download Mp3 Music Aretha Franklin

Franklin's tune was one of just two performances in the lead-up to Obama taking the oath of office. She was followed by a more classic performance of the Shaker hymn "Simple Gifts," arranged by John Williams and played by Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, Anthony McGill and Gabriella Montero.