From today’s b, the paper

With the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama today, here are a few classic songs about some of his predecessors:

“He was a Friend of Mine,” the Byrds (1964): Roger McGuinn reconfigures the folk song to pay tribute to John F. Kennedy.

“My Brain is Hanging Upside Down (Bonzo Goes to Bitburg),” Ramones (1986): Ronald Reagan’s visit to a soldiers cemetery in Germany that contained the bodies of Nazi officers inspired this powerful cry of dissent.

“Paint the White House Black,” George Clinton (1993): With cameos from Ice Cube, Dr. Dre and Public Enemy, the Parliament-Funkadelic founder imagines the day when an African-American would ascend to the highest office in the land.

“James K. Polk,” They Might Be Giants (1996): The duo of wisecracking rockers is augmented by an awesome musical-saw solo as they honor the 11th U.S. president, one of the unsung architects of Manifest Destiny.

“George Bush Doesn’t Like Black People,” Legendary K.O. (2005): The Houston rappers build a poignant and enraged response to the Hurricane Katrina disaster on a sample of Kanye West’s controversial statement about the president’s relief efforts. {CHICAGO TRIBUNE}

Confusing fiction with reality?
Kate Winslet said she sometimes confuses “Revolutionary Road” co-star Leonardo DiCaprio with real-life husband Sam Mendes when talking about him often, AP reports. Winslet said on a British TV show that DiCaprio “feels more like my husband than my real husband, I have to say.”

Osbourne arrested
Dailymail.co.uk reports Kelly Osbourne was arrested for allegedly slapping gossip columnist Zoe Griffin in August 2008 after calling fiance Luke Worrall stupid. Osbourne went with her lawyers to a central London police station voluntarily on Jan. 2, a Metropolitan Police spokesperson confirmed. Osbourne was released on bail until March.

‘Valentine’ really gets bloody
According to News Day, A 16-year-old boy was stabbed in the stomach by a movie theatre security guard after a showing of “My Bloody Valentine 3D.” Police in Nassau, N.Y. said there was a scuffle between the guard and the teen, who insisted on waiting inside the theatre until his ride showed up. The boy was taken to a hospital and received stitches, while the guard was arrested and charged with second-degree assault.

A ‘Big’ change for Philly children
The 16-foot piano Tom Hanks played on in “Big” will be on display next month at Philadelphia’s Please Touch Museum. AP reports the piano is a gift to the children’s museum from a couple who bought it after the movie’s release.

Online Film Critics Society winners
Awardsdaily.com announced the winner of the Online Film Critics Society Awards. “Wall*E” took best picture and best animated feature, “The Dark Knight” received awards for best director with Christopher Nolan and best supporting actor with Heath Ledger and Mickey Rourke and Marisa Tomei did “The Wrestler” proud with the best actor and best supporting actress award respectively.

{compiled by, MARISSA RICHARDSON, B}

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