It's fun to decipher meanings from the songs that presidential candidates are spinning at their rallies. Actually, it's funny that pop music is played by these White House hopefuls in the first place - somehow it's difficult to imagine presidents with iPods, playlists or a desire to share their taste in music with a huge audience.
As someone who enjoys turning other people onto new music despite the challenge, I'm envious, in a way, of their ability to play a favorite song and know that thousands will be hearing it. Maybe I should run for president just to introduce the whole country to Spacemen 3.
The fact is, ever since the original Bush lambasted Bill Clinton for associating with subversive rock musicians"" like Bono and then proceeded to lose the '92 election, it's been acceptable for presidents to have more hip taste in music. Clinton was a musician himself, and George W. dropped Sigur Rós as one of his favorite bands just like Jessica Simpson did - what is it with those Icelanders' crossover appeal?
It seems that the presidential candidates are getting more coverage than ever for music these days. Huckabee has become known for performing Boston's ""More Than a Feeling"" with his band Capitol Offense, though Boston mastermind and Obama supporter Tom Scholz has gotten all ruffled and put a stop to it.
John McCain has also upset the liberal-minded John Mellencamp by using his ""Our Country"" at rallies without permission - as if people are going to be shocked or care that MOR (Middle Of the Road) rock is being misused by Republicans.
Obama, who's gotten perhaps the most press for his music tastes, has opted for the slightly hipper selections of U2 and Stevie Wonder songs while also making a hilarious bid for the Republican vote by playing the same Brooks & Dunn song that George W. used in his campaign.
The one notable thing about all the songs the candidates are playing is how stripped they are of any real meaning. It would be way more effective to use songs that mirrored the candidates political views in some way. The Democrats want to bring troops home, so why not use something with a little more oomph, like Bob Dylan's ""Masters of War""?
Of course, it's more prudent to play only vaguely uplifting songs in the bid for widest appeal, which brings to mind what John Lennon said about his still widely used rouser ""Imagine"": ""Anti-religious, anti-nationalistic, anti-conventional, anti-capitalistic, but because it is sugar-coated it is accepted ... Now I understand what you have to do: Put your political message across with a little honey.""
Things would be more interesting if the explosion of rumors about Obama using Jay-Z's ""99 Problems"" at a rally were a bit more verifiable. It seems almost too good to be true that Obama, who is apparently quite the hip-hop fan, would so eloquently channel his disregard for Hillary Clinton through the line ""I got 99 problems but a bitch ain't one."" I just keep imagining a scenario where Clinton responds by trading in her Celine Dion theme for something like Trina's ""Da Baddest Bitch"" and escalating things into a full-fledged song battle.
But now back to reality. When you go to vote in the primary today, just remember you're not only voting for a politician, but also for the songs that will be getting blasted through the halls of the White House in about a year's time. Choose carefully.
Not sure which candidate you're supporting based soley on music taste just yet? E-mail Ben to set up a debate at bpeterson1@wisc.edu.
