Springsteen's new ditty for Obama

(CNN) - The campaign trail got a visit from The Boss on Thursday. Rock legend Bruce Springsteen performed at an event for Obama's campaign in Parma, Ohio, where he debuted a new song he wrote for the president.

Before playing the new tune, Springsteen joked that President Obama had called him up and asked for help writing a campaign theme song.

"I said you called the right guy," Springsteen added.

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The singer said he wanted to include the campaign's slogan, "Forward," in the song, but lamented at word's lyrical challenge.

"It's better than backward, a little better than sideward," he said. "You don't want sideward on no bumper stickers."

Saying it was his "duty as a man," however, Springsteen said he finished the song but asked that the audience shout "Forward" after every line.

He then began strumming:

"I kissed your sister and I kissed your mama

Forward!

Usually this time of day I'm in your pajamas

Forward!

Let's vote for the man who got Osama

Forward!

Forward and away we go."

Pausing, Springsteen weighed in on his struggle with the rest of the song.

"When I got to the second verse I had a problem because I couldn't think of any other words that rhyme with Obama," he said, drawing laughs.

He continued:

"I came to Ohio lookin' for a date

Forward!

We kissed and I said it's a helluva state

Forward!

We made love but it wasn't so great

Forward!

Forward, and away we go

Smilin' Joe, he really brought the drama

Forward!

Tuesday, Romney was schooled by Obama

Forward!"

Springsteen repeated his rhyming problem with the president's name, adding "so that was the end of it."