Barack and Roll

The best tracks inspired by Barack Obama

Posted Jul 10, 2008 10:40 AM

Song: "Yes We Can"
Artist: Will.i.Am, plus everybody in his Rolodex
Platform: As Will.i.Am explains on the song's official site, the Black Eyed Pea was so inspired by Obama's New Hampshire primary speech that he penned a simple acoustic melody, used the words from the speech and got a ton of guests (including John Legend, Scarlett Johansson and Common) to join him on the video, which has picked up over eight million views.
Awkward Rhyming? None.
Electoral Votes: 500. "Yes We Can" succeeds as an inspirational campaign tune, a pretty good pop song and an excellent viral video — a rare trifecta.

Song: "I Got a Crush...On Obama"
Artist: Leah Kaufman
Platform: Unknown singer Leah Kaufman coos over an R&B slow jam while "Obama Girl" Amber Lee Ettinger dances with co-workers and generally goes ga-ga over the candidate. The song and clip first appeared a year ago, back when Obama still seemed like an outsider.
Awkward Rhyming? So many that you start to think it had to have been on purpose, like "You're into border security/Let's break this border between you and me" and "So I put down my Kerry sign/Knew I had to make you mine."
Electoral Votes: 440. Despite the goofiness, it does get stuck in your head, and it also kickstarted the idea of Obama as something of a viral contender who attracted young people.

Song: "I Want Barack"
Artist: J.J. French
Platform: The Twisted Sister guitarist rewrote his band's classic hit "I Wanna Rock" in support of Obama. The song split the coveted Twisted Sister vote, as frontman Dee Snider is a longtime John McCain supporter.
Awkward Rhyming? Not a ton, though the verses do get a little too tongue-twistery for their own good, like "The Republicans/All they really wanna do is keep everything the same/Corruption everywhere/Women's rights and civil rights continue going down the drain."
Electoral Votes: 400. It's mostly buoyed by the already-awesome chorus of "I Wanna Rock," though this track does contain the best guitar solo on this list.

Song: "Work to Do"
Artist: Kidz in the Hall
Platform: Plenty of indie rappers have been shouting out to Obama or constructing entire songs around his campaign, but Kidz in the Hall draw the parallels between being a hard-working rapper, a presidential candidate and a conscientious American.
Awkward Rhyming? Refreshingly free.
Electoral Votes: 380. The focus is a little skewed, but it's hard to argue with the song's head-nodding sample.

Song: "Blacks In the White House"
Artist: Charle$ N. Charge
Platform: Billed as "the most controversial Barack Obama song," "Blacks in the White House" sees Los Angeles MC Charle$ N. Charge rhyme over a propulsive beat in a surprisingly balanced approach to endorsing Obama — he gets excited but also warns Barack that "you better have a good reason if you start up a war."
Awkward Rhyming? "Stay close to the people/Stay away from the scandals/Don't let Monica Lewinsky blow out your candle."
Electoral Votes: 310. Charle$ doesn't neccessarily deliver on the "controversy" part, but he gets points for making a party anthem where most rappers are delivering more solemn messages.

Song: "Barack the Magnificent"
Artist: Mighty Sparrow
Platform: For one reason or another, a multitude of artists from the reggae and calypso world have hopped on board the Barack song bandwagon. Mighty Sparrow's jumpy jam came amidst a wave of songs following Obama's post-New Hampshire run.
Awkward Rhyming? It kicks off with "The respect of the world that we now lack/If you want it back/Then vote Barack!" Otherwise, Sparrow does a remarkably thorough job of going over Obama's plans and goals while only occasionally resorting to wackiness, like "Quality check/Every wounded soldier should get/Not abject neglect/All providers must give a heck" when talking about health care.
Electoral Votes: 295. It endorses a humanistic approach to illegal immigration and you can dance to it!

Song: "The President We Need"
Artist: Shanice
Platform: Every campaign needs a Whitney Houston-esque chest-thumping torch song, and indie R&B singer Shanice is here to deliver in a song custom-built for fireworks displays.
Awkward Rhyming? It's a limited lyric sheet, so she avoids any wordplay, though the children's chorus at the end is a bit much.
Electoral Votes: 270. On YouTube, it's referred to as "Barack Obama Official Inauguration Song," and while it's unlikely to get him elected, it's a fine choice for a victory lap.