Singing politicians – a passing fad, we hope

It wasn’t enough that we were all recently exposed to the unbelievably tone-deaf talents of Craig Emerson.

Before that there was former Senator Mary Jo Fisher’s very strange spoken rendition of the Rocky Horror Timewarp number, eerily presaging the instability that eventually segued into serial shoplifting.

Now, God forbid, we have Treasurer Wayne Swan on a Bruce Springsteen kick, although at least he leaves the singing to his daughter who can actually more or less hold a tune.

Sadly, this outbreak of political musicality isn’t original. American politicians have been doing it for years, as this compilation shows. Viewers will note that none are quite as excruciatingly talentless as Emmo, although former US Secretary of State Colin Powell comes close.

Personally I can hardly wait for the surely imminent day when Julia’s partner Tim the Hairdresser goes public with a performance of their mutual favourite pop song by Moving Pictures.