The Coen Brothers have always made wonderful use of music in their movies. I could do a whole series on their best musical moments (and trust me, I just wrote that down as an idea for the future).
While it’s impossible to name a favorite Coen Brothers movie, I have 2013’s Inside Llewyn Davis atop my personal ranking of their films. The chronicle of a failed folk musician is sad, funny, and beautiful in all the best ways. And in addition to some folk classics, it features a great new song by a fictional band.
‘Please Mr. Kennedy’ is a novelty track written by Jim Berkey (played by Justin Timberlake), a successful folk singer as part of the husband/wife duo Jim & Jean. Jim recruits Oscar Isaac’s Llewyn Davis to sit in on the recording so his friend can pick up some much-needed cash. Another folk singer, Al Cody (Adam Driver), sings backup vocals.
This song was written by T Bone Burnett and the Coen Brothers as an adaptation of a 1962 song of the same title by The Goldcoast Singers. In true folk music fashion, that song was derived from an earlier track called ‘Please Mr. Custer.’
While the earlier versions were pleas to be kept out of war, the film’s ‘Please Mr. Kennedy’ is told from the perspective of an astronaut hoping to be spared a trip to space.
This scene provides a moment of pure goofy pleasure in an otherwise deeply melancholy film. It’s also a hoot to watch Poe Dameron and Kylo Ren singing together two years before they faced off in The Force Awakens.
10…9…8…7.6.5…4…3…2…
[Adam Driver]
One second please!
[Chorus]
Please Mr. Kennedy (Uh oh!)
I don’t wanna go (please don’t shoot me into outer space)
P-P-Please Mr. Kennedy (Uh oh!)
I don’t wanna go (please don’t shoot me into outer space)
[Verse 1: Justin Timberlake & Oscar Isaac]
I sweat when they stuff me in the pressure suits
Bubble helmet, Flash Gordon boots
Nowhere up there in gravity zero (outer…space)
I need to breathe, don’t need to be a hero (outer…space)
Are you reading me loud and clear?
Oh!
[Chorus]
Please Mr. Kennedy (Uh oh!)
I don’t wanna go (please don’t shoot me into outer space)
P-P-Please Mr. Kennedy (Uh oh!)
I don’t wanna go (please don’t shoot me into outer space)
[Verse 2: Justin Timberlake & Oscar Isaac]
I’m six-foot two, and so perhaps you’ll
Tell me how to fit into a five foot capsule
I won’t be known as man of the century
If I burn up upon reentry
Gotta red-blooded wife with a healthy libido (outer…space)
You’ll lose her vote if you make her a widow (outer…space)
And who’ll play catch out in the back with our kid?
Oh!
[Chorus]
Please Mr. Kennedy (Uh oh!)
I don’t wanna go (please don’t shoot me into outer space)
[All]
Countdown!
10…9…8…7.6.5…4…3…2…
[Adam Driver]
Oh no!
[Chorus]
Please Mr. Kennedy (Uh oh!)
I don’t wanna go (please don’t shoot me into outer space)
P-P-Please (oh please!)
P-P-Please (oh please!)
Please (oh please!)
Please don’t shoot me into outer space!
P-P-Please (oh please!)
Please (oh please!)
Please don’t shoot me into outer space!
Please Mr. Kennedy!
Meet Me In Montauk 
I haven’t seen this movie for quite awhile, but I agree it’s top tier Coen Brothers.
I don’t remember this scene at all and I’m sure I saw the movie it’s funny is it supposed to be?
I sure think so.