Gen. Martin Dempsey showed off his ability to connect with younger audiences by busting out a snippet of the popular song "Uptown Funk" on Thursday.

The outgoing Joint Chiefs chairman was addressing an event with children from military families when he was asked if he thought failure plays a role in success. Dempsey, 63 responded, "Failure plays a part in every success." He went on to add, "It's like Chumbawamba, 'Tubthumping.' I get knocked down, and I get up again."

After being met with laughs from the audience and moderator, Dempsey joked, "I'm trying to connect to the kids." The Army general proceeded to ask, "You don't want me to break into 'Uptown Funk you up,' do you?" before singing the chorus of the 2014 Bruno Mars' hit.

Dempsey later led the children in singing the Irish ditty known as "The Unicorn Song." Luckily for Dempsey and the Internet, the cameras were rolling to catch this moment.