"Dear Mr. President" is a song recorded by American singer Pink, featuring the Indigo Girls, for her fourth studio album I'm Not Dead (2006). It was written and produced by Pink and Billy Mann. The song is an open letter to the then-President of the United States, George W. Bush, criticizing several areas of his administration and terms in office, including the Iraq War, No Child Left Behind Act, opposition to same-sex marriage and LGBT rights in general, perceived lack of empathy for poor and middle-class citizens, and his drinking and drug usage in college. Pink felt that it was one of the most important songs she had ever written.
Critically acclaimed, "Dear Mr. President" was released as the sixth and final international single from I'm Not Dead on April 2, 2007, by LaFace Records. A commercial success, it peaked atop the charts in Austria and Flanders while reaching the top five in Australia, the Czech Republic, Germany and Switzerland.
Critical response "Dear Mr. President" received mostly positive reviews from music critics. Entertainment Weeklys Chris Williams described the song "with its incongruous folkie social concern and Bush-baiting applause lines". The Los Angeles Times Natalie Nichols said that Pink taps her inner Ani DiFranco on the confrontational "Dear Mr. President". The New York Times Jon Pareles noted that the song is "well meaning", "hectoring" and that it "grow[s] even more sententious". PopMatters praised the single with long overview: Rolling Stones Barry Walters praises Pink for "writ[ing] a scathing letter in 'Dear Mr. President and "cooing righteous folk harmonies with Indigo Girls." Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine was mixed, writing that Dear Mr. President', which cleverly uses George W. Bush's own words against him, pales next to Missundaztoods 'My Vietnam.
Formats and track listingsDigital single"Dear Mr. President" – 4:33 "Leave Me Alone (I'm Lonely)" – 3:18 "Dear Mr. President" (live from Wembley Arena) – 4:45 "Leave Me Alone (I'm Lonely)" (live) – 4:44UK collector's set CD1"Dear Mr. President" – 4:33 "Dear Mr. President" (live from Wembley Arena) – 4:45 "Leave Me Alone (I'm Lonely)" (live) – 4:44 "Dear Mr. President" (video) – 5:00UK collector's set CD2"Dear Mr. President" – 4:33 "Leave Me Alone (I'm Lonely)" – 3:18 "Dear Mr. President" (live) – 4:45 "Live from Wembley Trailer" (video) – 0:59Germany collector's set CD1"Dear Mr. President" – 4:33 "Dear Mr. President" (live from Wembley Arena) – 4:45 "Leave Me Alone (I'm Lonely)" – 3:18 "Live from Wembley Trailer" (video) – 0:59Germany collector's set CD2"Dear Mr. President" – 4:33 "Who Knew" (live from Wembley Arena) – 3:29 "Dear Mr. President" (live from Wembley Arena) – 4:45Australian tour collector's set CD1"Dear Mr. President" – 4:33 "Who Knew" (live from Wembley Arena) – 3:30 "Dear Mr. President" (live From Wembley Arena) – 4:45 "On the Road with Pink" (video) – 10:00Australian tour collector's set CD2"Dear Mr. President" – 4:33 "U + Ur Hand" (live from Wembley Arena) – 4:39 "Dear Mr. President" (video) – 5:00 "Live from Wembley Trailer" (video) – 1:00Remixes' Offer Nissim Club Mix Offer Nissim Radio Edit
Personnel Vocals: Pink and Indigo Girls Backing vocals: Emily Saliers and Amy Ray Mixed by: Al Clay Pro Tools: Christopher Rojas Guitar: Emily Saliers Production coordinator: Lana Israel
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (2006–2009) Peakposition European Hot 100 Singles (Billboard) 10
Year-end charts Chart (2007) Position Australia (ARIA) 41 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) 3 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) 16 European Hot 100 Singles (Billboard) 47 Germany (Media Control GfK) 13 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) 8
Decade-end charts Chart (2000–2009) Position Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) 51
Certifications
Release history + Region Date Format(s) Label(s) United Kingdom April 2, 2007 Digital download LaFace Germany April 20, 2007 Digital download Sony BMG April 27, 2007 CD May 18, 2007 Maxi CD Australia July 7, 2007 CD
See also List of anti-war songs Commander in Chief (song)
References