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.

Related Stories:
• "Stop Using My Song, Republicans!": A Guide to Disgruntled Rockers
• Foo Fighters Slam McCain For Using "My Hero"
• Brooks & Dunn Comment on Obama's Use Of "Only In America"

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Song Stories

“Help Me”

Joni Mitchell | 1974

Joni Mitchell wrote and recorded this song for her album Court and Spark, but she had to switch from her regular band to make the song sound exactly the way she wanted. "I had attempted to play my music with rock & roll players," she told Rolling Stone. "They’d laugh, 'Awww, isn't that cute? She's trying to teach us how to play.'" Mitchell switched to a jazz band, Tom Scott’s L.A. Express, and scored the biggest hit of her career in the process.

More Song Stories entries »

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