Presidential Campaign Songs Across 50 Years

Working for president of the US of America is not any small activity, however it may well assist to have some nice music behind you.

For one factor, using a marketing campaign track (or a few them) is a solution to give voters a way of what sort of a candidate you’re. Do the track’s lyrics emphasize peace? Doggedness? Hope?

Moreover, past merely getting approval to make use of a specific track, it may well’t be understated how essential the endorsement of a well-known musician can change into. In case you have, for instance, the help of Bruce Springsteen, that is a complete lot of potential voters who could also be extra inclined to hearken to what it’s important to say.

Beneath, we’re having a look on the marketing campaign music of candidates from throughout 50 years of American elections. To be clear: this isn’t an exhaustive checklist, as candidates sometimes use quite a lot of songs throughout their campaigns, however these are a number of the highlights.

Candidate: Robert F. Kennedy (D), 1968
Track: “Omaha Rainbow,” John Stewart

John Stewart, the author and performer of “Omaha Rainbow,” was a member of the people group the Kingston Trio. He additionally wrote a lot of songs for different artists, together with “Daydream Believer” for the Monkees and “By no means Goin’ Again” for the Lovin’ Spoonful. In 1968, Stewart toured the nation with Democratic candidate Robert Kennedy, whose marketing campaign can be lower quick when he was shot and killed after successful the California major.

Candidate: George McGovern (D), 1972
Track: “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” Simon and Garfunkel

George McGovern could not have been capable of safe the presidency, however he was capable of do one thing maybe much more spectacular: convey Paul Simon and Artwork Garfunkel again collectively. A one-off reunion occurred on June 14, 1972 on the Collectively for McGovern profit live performance, produced by the actor Warren Beatty. Simon and Garfunkel’s Biggest Hits was launched the identical day.

Candidate: Walter Mondale (D), 1984
Track: “Gonna Fly Now,” Invoice Conti

Nothing says motivational just like the theme from Rocky, which Democratic candidate Walter Mondale used for his 1984 marketing campaign in opposition to the actor-turned-politician Ronald Reagan.

Candidate: George H.W. Bush (R), 1988
Track: “This Land Is Your Land,” Woody Guthrie

Few songs have turn out to be as synonymous with America as Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land.” Although utilized by Republican candidate George H.W. Bush, this track has roots in what was as soon as thought of the “radical left,” a form of various nationwide anthem that advocated for a extra inclusive society.

Candidate: Michael Dukakis (D), 1988
Track: “America,” Neil Diamond

Working in opposition to Bush in 1988 was Democrat Michal Dukakis, who went with the High 10 1981 hit “America” by Neil Diamond for his marketing campaign. This was a nod to Dukakis’ personal roots — his father was a Greek immigrant from Edremit in Turkey, making Dukakis the primary ethnic Greek nominated for the presidency by a significant get together.

Candidate: Ross Perot (Impartial), 1992
Track: “Loopy,” Willie Nelson

There are various who consider that working for president on another ticket except for Democratic or Republican is, properly, loopy. Ross Perot did it anyway in 1992 and, surprisingly, polled exceptionally properly in opposition to the 2 main get together candidates, Invoice Clinton and George H.W. Bush. “There are tens of millions of loopy folks on this nation,” he stated on the final day of campaigning, utilizing Willie Nelson’s “Loopy,” the Patsy Cline model. “And I am going to say tomorrow I guess it’s going to be a loopy day on the polls.”

Candidate: Invoice Clinton (D), 1992
Track: “Do not Cease,” Fleetwood Mac

Invoice Clinton is not only a music fan — he and his spouse Hillary Clinton named their daughter Chelsea after the Joni Mitchell track “Chelsea Morning” — he is a musician himself, albeit an newbie one. He discovered to play the saxophone as a child and he even performed it at his 1993 inaugural ball. Additionally at his inaugural ball, Fleetwood Mac reunited to carry out what had turn out to be Clinton’s official marketing campaign track, “Do not Cease.”

Candidate: Bob Dole (R), 1996
Track: “Soul Man,” Sam and Dave

When working for president, it is best to by no means go up a possibility to cleverly insert your personal title into a preferred track. Republican candidate Bob Dole did this with Sam & Dave’s “Soul Man,” swapping it for “Dole Man.”

Candidate: Al Gore (D), 2000
Track(s): “You Ain’t Seen Nothing But,” Bachman-Turner Overdrive, “Sir Duke,” Stevie Marvel, “Let the Day Start,” The Name

Al Gore didn’t win the presidency in 2000, arguably probably the most controversial elections to happen in America. Gore used a couple of completely different songs throughout his marketing campaign, together with the Name’s 1989 minor hit, “Let the Day Start.” “It was extremely surprising,” Michael Been of the Name informed ABC Information then. “It was out of the blue. Nobody informed us something about it. Once I bought dwelling [from the recording studio] at 4 or 5 within the morning, I had messages on my answering machine from associates. It was a giant shock. I do not know Gore’s motive behind it, however I am glad they picked it. Any approach you will get a track heard by as many individuals is nice by me. I hope he wins; I am undoubtedly voting for him.”

Candidate: George W. Bush (R), 2000 and 2004
Track(s): “I Will not Again Down,” Tom Petty, “Proper Now,” Van Halen

Tom Petty didn’t recognize George W. Bush’s use of his track “I Will not Again Down” throughout his election marketing campaign in 2000, in opposition to Al Gore. A lot in order that he not solely despatched a stop and desist letter to Bush’s staff, he additionally carried out the track at Gore’s home after he conceded the election, with Gore’s spouse Tipper even becoming a member of in on percussion.

Candidate: John Kerry (D), 2004
Track(s): “No Give up,” Bruce Springsteen, “Lucky Son,” Creedence Clearwater Revival, “Stunning Day,” U2

CCR’s “Lucky Son” was not written to be a patriotic anthem, however as an alternative an acknowledgment of privilege in America in the course of the Vietnam Battle — these with family and friends in excessive locations appeared to all the time be capable to keep away from being drafted. However John Kerry, future Democratic candidate for president, was not a kind of folks. He enlisted within the Navy after graduating from Yale and served in South Vietnam, the place he was wounded 3 times and earned three Purple Hearts.

Candidate: Rudy Giuliani (R), 2008
Track: “Rudie Cannot Fail,” The Conflict

There is not any solution to know this for sure, but it surely appears unlikely that Joe Strummer of the Conflict, famous determine of punk rock revolt, would have supported former New York Metropolis Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s use of “Rudie Cannot Fail” throughout his 2008 bid for the presidency. By that point, Strummer had been lifeless for six years, although, in the long run, Giuliani did certainly fail.

Candidate: Mike Huckabee (R), 2008
Track: “Extra Than a Feeling,” Boston

Republican candidate Mick Huckabee, an newbie bassist, took to not simply enjoying the track “Extra Than a Feeling” at his marketing campaign occasions, but additionally typically performing it himself with onetime Boston guitarist Barry Goudreau. Tom Scholz, who wrote the track and performed each guitar half on its recording, didn’t take kindly to this, writing a letter to Huckabee that acknowledged, amongst many different issues, the next: “Boston has by no means endorsed a politician, and with all due respect, wouldn’t begin by endorsing a candidate who’s the polar reverse of most every part Boston stands for. In reality, though I am impressed you discovered my bass guitar half on ‘Extra Than a Feeling,’ I’m an Obama supporter.”

Candidate: Dennis Kucinich (D), 2008
Track: “Give Peace a Probability,” John Lennon / Plastic Ono Band

Lots of people ran for president in 2008 — one among them was sure to include some John Lennon. Democrat Dennis Kucinich used “Give Peace a Probability,” evidently a favourite matter of his. In 2001 as a member of the Home of Representatives, he proposed HR 2459, a invoice to ascertain a Division of Peace.

Candidate: Chris Dodd (D), 2008
Track(s): “Get Prepared,” The Temptations, “Attain Out I am going to Be There,” The 4 Tops

Chris Dodd, the longest-serving senator in Connecticut’s historical past, did not have a brilliant profitable run on the presidency in 2008, however he apparently had a penchant for Motown vocal quartets, as he used songs by the Temptations and the 4 Tops.

Candidate: John Edwards (D), 2008
Track: “Our Nation,” John Mellencamp

A big a part of John Edwards (D) 2008 marketing campaign revolved across the plight of center class Individuals, a message that match properly with John Mellencamp’s “Our Nation.” Mellencamp even carried out the track at one among Edwards’ occasions in November of 2007.

Candidate: Hillary Clinton (D), 2008
Track(s): “Takin’ Care of Enterprise,” Bachman-Turner Overdrive, “9 to five,” Dolly Parton, “American Woman,” Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

On the time that Hillary Clinton introduced she can be working for president in 2008, no lady had ever been nominated by a significant get together, and no first woman had ever run both. Amongst her track decisions: the traditional ode to working ladies “9 to five” by Dolly Parton,” the tough-minded “Takin’ Care of Enterprise” by BTO and the all-around red-white-and-blue “American Woman” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

Candidate: Cynthia McKinney (Inexperienced), 2008
Track: “Energy to the Individuals,” John Lennon / Plastic Ono Band

Seems Dennis Kucinich wasn’t the one one to make use of a Lennon track of their 2008 marketing campaign. Inexperienced Occasion candidate Cynthia McKinney (and first African American lady elected to characterize Georgia within the Home) went with “Energy to the Individuals,” the title of which doubled as her marketing campaign slogan.

Candidate: John McCain (R), 2008
Track(s): “Take a Probability on Me,” ABBA, “Our Nation,” John Mellencamp

Keep in mind earlier on this checklist when John Mellencamp let John Edwards use his track “Our Nation” and endorsed him? Effectively, Edwards wasn’t the one one utilizing the track. So too was Republican candidate John McCain, however Mellencamp took this proper off the desk. “In the event you’re such a real conservative,” Mellencamp informed AP then, “why are you enjoying songs which have a really populist pro-labor message written by a man who would discover no argument when you characterised him as left of middle?” McCain as an alternative went with ‘Take a Probability on Me” by ABBA, whom he was reportedly a “big” fan of in line with his marketing campaign weblog.

Candidate: Barack Obama (D), 2008 and 2012
Track(s): “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I am Yours,” Stevie Marvel, “Metropolis of Blinding Lights,” U2, “Increased and Increased,” Jackie Wilson, “Assume,” Aretha Franklin, “We Take Care of Our Personal,” Bruce Springsteen

If there’s one factor we learn about Barack Obama, winner of each the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections, it is that he loves music — lately he has taken to yearly sharing a playlist of his favourite songs. Amongst his decisions throughout his campaigns have been songs by Stevie Marvel, Jackie Wilson, Aretha Franklin and his very personal good friend, Bruce Springsteen, with whom he would later begin a podcast.

Candidate: Mitt Romney (R), 2012
Track: “Born Free,” Child Rock

It was truly 2012 Republican candidate Mitt Romney who reached out to Child Rock, asking for his help. Rock wouldn’t give it till he met personally with Romney to verify the politician was not “only a wealthy man who wished to turn out to be president to out-do [his] dad,” as he informed Howard Stern then. “I do know what it’s prefer to wish to be higher than your father,” he stated. “In fact, I am getting these ‘I actually wish to assist America [answers]’ and I stated, ‘Reduce the shit, that is my front room; this isn’t going to depart right here.'” In the long run, Rock’s “Born Free” was used in the course of the marketing campaign.

Candidate: John Kasich (R), 2016
Track: “Stunning Day,” U2

Nobody stated you had to make use of music by American artists on the marketing campaign path. John Kasich went with U2, whose singer, an outspoken advocate for a lot of socio-political causes, Kasich had crossed paths with many instances. Again in 2000, as an example, he and Bono sat subsequent to 1 one other on the White Home as members of Congress met to debate debt reduction.

Candidate: Bernie Sanders (D), 2016:
Track(s): “America,” Simon and Garfunkel, “Talkin’ Bout a Revolution,” Tracy Chapman, “Starman,” David Bowie

Along with Tracy Chapman’s “Talkin’ Bout a Revolution,” you could possibly additionally hear songs like “The Revolution Begins Now” by Steve Earle and ‘Revolution” by Bob Marley & the Wailers on Bernie Sanders 2016 marketing campaign path. There was additionally Simon & Garfunkel’s “America” and David Bowie’s “Starman.”

Candidate: Donald Trump (R), 2016
Track: “You Cannot At all times Get What You Need,” The Rolling Stones

George Bush and John McCain are undoubtedly not the one ones who’ve run into points with their musical picks. In 2016, Republican candidate and future winner of the election Donald Trump caught flack for his use of the Rolling Stones’ “You Cannot At all times Get What You Need” — “The Rolling Stones don’t endorse Donald Trump,” they tweeted. (He additionally often used “Begin Me Up.”) Trump was as soon as once more informed to cease utilizing their music in the course of the 2020 election season.

Candidate: Rand Paul (R), 2016
Track: “Revolution,” The Beatles

Generally the title says all of it. Rand Paul opted to make use of the Beatles’ “Revolution” throughout his 2016 marketing campaign, which ended shortly after the Iowa caucus.

Candidate: Beto O’Rourke (D), 2020
Track: “Clampdown,” The Conflict

Beto O’Rourke selected “Clampdown” by the Conflict for his 2020 marketing campaign as a result of they “modified my life,” as he defined to the San Fransisco Chronicle in 2019. “The urgency in that music. Politics in a approach I had by no means skilled earlier than. Joe Strummer — the good human being that ever walked the planet.”

Candidate: Bernie Sanders (D), 2020
Track(s): “Seven Nation Military,” The White Stripes, “Energy to the Individuals,” John Lennon / Plastic Ono Band, “Rockin’ within the Free World,” Neil Younger

Bernie Sanders didn’t win in 2016, so he got here again once more in 2020, this time with some new music, together with songs by the White Stripes, John Lennon and Neil Younger. Jack White even carried out at one among Sanders’ occasions in Detroit, a gig that was on a volunteer-basis. “We don’t need an artist on our stage that is not sympathetic to the senator and the Bernie 2020 marketing campaign,” Caleb Wilson, nationwide director of expertise outreach for the marketing campaign informed Rolling Stone. “For that cause alone, that is why we’re not providing paydays.”

Candidate: Joe Biden (D), 2020
Track(s): “We Take Care of Our Personal,” Bruce Springsteen, “Increased and Increased,” Jackie Wilson, “We the Individuals,” The Staple Singers

Bruce Springsteen noticed issues in 2020 candidate Joe Biden that he acknowledged in himself: a blue-collar background and a robust perception in American labor unions. In October 2020, Springsteen shared a video on his social media exhibiting Biden’s hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania. “That is greater than the place he is from,” he stated. “That is who he is for.”

Candidate: Elizabeth Warren (D), 2020
Track(s): “9 to five,” Dolly Parton, “Respect,” Aretha Franklin

There’s something about Aretha Franklin’s “Respect” that makes lots of people wish to rise up and dance, and Elizabeth Warren is one among them. She may very well be seen shimmying to the track throughout her 2020 bid for the presidency.

Candidate: Jay Inslee (D), 2020
Track: “Mr. Blue Sky,” Electrical Gentle Orchestra

When Democrat Jay Inslee introduced he can be working fr president, he famous that he can be focusing intensely on local weather change. That may clarify why he then chosen ELO’s “Mr. Blue Sky” for his marketing campaign.

Candidate: Donald Trump (R), 2020
Track: “Y.M.C.A.,” Village Individuals

We’re not fairly completed with cease-and-desist letters on this checklist. Donald Trump acquired one from Village Individuals in 2020. At first, singer and co-founder Victor Willis tolerated his use of “Y.M.C.A.” because it was “not getting used for a selected endorsement.” However then Trump additionally began utilizing “Macho Man,” and that prompted authorized motion from the band. “Sorry,” Willis stated, “however I can now not look the opposite approach.”

Candidate: Donald Trump (R), 2024
Track(s): “Maintain On, I am Comin,'” Sam and Dave

No matter which aspect of the political spectrum you fall on, it is most likely a good suggestion to think about the lyrics and title of a track earlier than utilizing it at an official occasion. Donald Trump was criticized for utilizing Sam & Dave’s “Maintain On, I am Comin'” at a Nationwide Rifle Affiliation rally in Houston in Might of 2022, three days after 19 youngsters and two lecturers have been murdered at a faculty in Uvalde, Texas. Following the incident, it was revealed that regulation enforcement waited outdoors the constructing for over an hour earlier than lastly apprehending the perpetrator. The property of Isaac Hayes, who wrote the track, acknowledged that they didn’t approve and “would by no means approve” its use by Trump at such an occasion.

Candidate: Nikki Haley (R), 2024
Track(s): “Eye of the Tiger,” Survivor, “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll,” Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, “We Bought the Beat,” The Go-Go’s

Nikki Haley, the first Indian American to serve in a presidential cupboard, plus the primary lady to win a Republican Occasion presidential major contest, appreciates rule breakers like Joan Jett, whose track “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” she used throughout her 2024 marketing campaign. “Let me inform you: Joan Jett was one of many first true rockers, and the business didn’t like how she regarded or how she dressed,” she wrote on social media. “However she by no means gave up. She was a complete badass. That is an excellent lesson for everybody.”

Candidate: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (Impartial), 2024
Track: “Actual American,” Rick Derringer

We have come full circle. This checklist started with Robert F. Kennedy Sr. and ends together with his son, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. His alternative for his 2024 marketing campaign: Rick Derringer’s “Actual American.”