Campaign 08: Candidates offer top 10 songs
By now, we know who most of the musicians are siding with in this upcoming Presidential election. Arcade Fire, The Roots, Conor Oberst, and Bob Dylan are among the names who have voiced, or played, their support for Barack Obama in recent months. Hell, even despite not being introduced by the fellow Chicago native at Lollapalooza, Kanye West is on the bandwagon.
John McCain has Burt Bacharach and…well, that’s about it. As Newsweek recently pointed out, the Republican candidate seems to be having trouble with the music vote.
McCain’s musical support has been limited to octogenarian composer Burt Bacharach and one half of the novelty country duo Big & Rich. Even the reliably Republican Ted Nugent
is no fan. “McCain seem[s] to be catering to a growing segment of soulless Americans who could care less what they can do for their country, but whine louder and louder about what their country must do for them,” says the Motor City Madman *(who has the same criticism for Obama)*. “That is both un-American and pathetic.”
What’s more, as a result of Mr. McCain’s lack of music popularity, has even had problems finding an official campaign song.
For some odd reason the McCain campaign selected John Cougar Mellencamp’s “Pink Houses” as a possible anthem. Apparently some on the campaign thought the lyrics fitted with McCain’s reputation as a maverick with conservative convictions. In fact the song is about wasted potential. The term “pink” might also have risky connotations, given the Senator’s past indiscretions.
A problem arose with “Pink Houses” when it was discovered that Mellencamp backed John Edwards for president. When the rocker discovered that “Pink Houses” was slated to go stumping for the GOP, he refused permission for its use.
But even with all his music woes, John McCain, like Barack Obama, still has a top 10 of favorite tunes. While we’re pretty sure none of the below selections appear in playlist form on McCain’s ipod (or let alone, if he even knows what one is?), the list is real. At least, according to NPR.org.
Barack Obama’s Top 10:
01. Fugees - “Ready or Not”
02. Marvin Gaye - “What’s Going On”
03. Bruce Springsteen - “I’m on Fire”
04. The Rolling Stones - “Gimme Shelter”
05. Nina Simone - “Sinnerman”
06. Kanye West - “Touch the Sky”
07. Frank Sinatra - “You’d Be So Easy to Love”
08. Aretha Franklin - “Think”
09. U2 - “City of Blinding Lights”
10. Will.i.am - “Yes We Can”
Obama certainly offers a rather diverse mix, featuring everything from a bit of soul to some classic, soundtrack approved rock ‘n roll. Aside from Kanye because we’re sure as soon as Kanye gets word of Kanye’s spot, Kanye is going to start feverishly typing Kanye’s disapproval on Kanye’s Mac Book Air, none of the selections are all that surprising. Between the names (Springsteen, Bono, and Gaye) and the messages behind the tunes, Obama certainly seems to favor friends who support him and lyrics that relate to his beliefs.
Our only gripe? Not good running music.
John McCain’s Top 10:
01. ABBA - “Dancing Queen”
02. Roy Orbison - “Blue Bayou”
03. ABBA - “Take a Chance On Me”
04. Merle Haggard - “If We Make It Through December”
05. Dooley Wilson - “As Time Goes By”
06. Beach Boys - “Good Vibrations”
07. Louis Armstrong - “What A Wonderful World”
08. Frank Sinatra - “You’d Be So Easy to Love”
09. Neil Diamond - “Sweet Caroline”
10. The Platters - “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes”
Ok, so we basically have a song from the 1930s that though classic, most eligible voters probably don’t listen to on a daily basis, some Neil Diamond (no comment), and two ABBA songs? Is it just me, or does the image of John McCain listening to “Dancing Queen” while signing a bill into law bring a bit of a chuckle. Also, while understandable, considering his age, the fact that there is not only one tune from within the last 30 years, but that a number of the above videos are in black and white, probably expalins why McCain has trouble earning the approval of musicians.
Still, you have to give props for some of the classics. It’s nice that Louis Armstrong’s getting some love.
In Summary…
Unless you’re over 60, most folks are going to give the nod to Obama’s top 10. But then again, isn’t most of McCain’s core voting group fit the senior citizen age group? Plus, there are certainly more important issues that will decide votes come November. Still, if this list does anything, it reflects the value of music for each of the presidential candidates. Who knows? Pretty soon we may be seeing campaign ads on iTunes…
I wouldn’t call McCain’s list pitiful. Hell, some of it is downright hip for a 75 year old man.
That said…I think it is safe to say that Barack Obama, whether you like his politics or not, is certainly the COOLEST president we’ve ever had. Sorry Bill!
McCain’s list is pitiful, as are his aspirations for the WhiteHouse.
ABBA ‘08!
Throw some Abba in Obama’s mix, and he’s got my vote.