How Campaigns Make Their Music Choices

Ever question the motive behind a candidate's song selection at campaign rallies? Contrary to popular belief, Republicans aren't intentionally trying to piss off every rock group with their use of music without permission; there is a method to the selection process. "They want a really uplifting song that seems full of promise, even if it's not patriotic," RS associate editor Andy Greene says. Take for example Joe Biden's use of U2's "Beautiful Day." Songs are also selected by expected demographics of the rally's audience. A visit to a college campus might cue popular rock songs, the Midwest rallies pump country music from their speakers, the baby boomers hear classic rock, etc. In the case of Sarah Palin walking out to Shania Twain's "She's Not Just a Pretty Face," "It's pretty obvious they want to counter the perception she's just a beauty queen," says Greene. Candidates often avoid the use of any possibly incendiary songs, thus Team Obama has played no rap music despite the campaign having the unanimous support of the hip-hop community. Still, one Georgetown professor predicts rap will make its way onto the campaign trail within 20 years. And unless you think John McCain is sitting around listening to modern rock radio stations, don't blame him for his campaign's use of the Foo Fighters' "My Hero" — it's usually the campaign staffers that soundtrack the rallies.

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Song Stories

“Smells Like Teen Spirit”

Nirvana | 1991

"Smells Like Teen Spirit," named after a brand of deodorant marketed to girls, was Kurt Cobain's attempt to "write the ultimate pop song," he said, using the soft-loud dynamic of his favorite band, the Pixies. Cobain "had that dichotomy of punk rage and alienation," the song’s producer, Butch Vig, told Rolling Stone, "but also this vulnerable pop sensibility. In 'Teen Spirit,' a lot of that vulnerability is in the tone of his voice." Sadly, by the time of Nirvana's last U.S. tour, in late '93, Cobain was tortured by the obligation to play "Teen Spirit" every night. "There are many other songs that I have written that are as good, if not better," he claimed.

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