It's Got a Good Beat But It's Kinda Hard to Dance To.

Hail to the Chief is one of those songs with great music but lyrics that are, honestly, not what you would expect. This is probably why you so seldom or never hear the actual song sung

The music, played by the U.S. Marine Band, is preceded by four Ruffles and Flourishes (the highest number you can have). It was first played in 1815 in honor of George Washington (on his birthday, 16 years after he died). The first time it was used to introduce a living President was on July 4, 1828, when President John Quincy Adams dedicated the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. This is also the first time it was performed by the Marine Band.

I always thought the first line was “Hail to the Chief he's the man who leads our Nation!” I was wrong, here are the actual lyrics:

Hail to the Chief we have chosen for the nation,
Hail to the Chief! We salute him, one and all.
Hail to the Chief, as we pledge cooperation
In proud fulfillment of a great, noble call.

Yours is the aim to make this grand country grander,
This you will do, That's our strong, firm belief.
Hail to the one we selected as commander,
Hail to the President! Hail to the Chief!