heralding:

Barack Obama’s Playlist Explained

I decided to pick ten random songs from Barack Obama’s 2012 campaign playlist and speculate wildly about their significance. Enjoy.

1. James Taylor - Your Smiling Face
   First of all I thought this was almost certainly a ‘special’ song for Michelle and Barack. I mean, it’s a love song, right? “What do love songs have to do with politics?” I asked myself. “Well,” I replied, “Sometimes loads, actually.” Sometimes political songs can be disguised as love songs (I think Celine Dion’s The Power of Love may be one, but don’t quote me on that). ‘Your Smiling Face’ is one such song. The refrain at the end, for example - “nobody can tell me that I’m doing wrong today” - is surely the motto of ego-maniacal dictators everywhere. Be careful, Barack. Be very careful.
   
   
2. Love You I Do - Jennifer Hudson
   Another love song. Cue the thought process outlined above. Except this time I think it might just be the first thing - a ‘special’ song. Barack and Michelle are obviously Beyoncé fans - she sang At Last while they danced their first dance as President and FLOTUS - so perhaps the Dreamgirls connection explains the presence of this song. That and the fact that it’s impossible not to head-dance while listening. Don’t know what head-dancing is? Place the song. Note head movements. Mystery explained.
   
   
3. The Weight - Aretha Franklin
   Aretha! Of course! R’n’B royalty and queen of our soulful hearts. However, this song is not an Aretha original - it’s a cover of the track originally performed by The Band in 1968. It’s a folksy tale of the search for good. So is Barack saying we should rely on or hope for the good in others? That we should strike out on an uncertain journey without fear? That it’ll all be okay in the end? Does he just like a bit of Aretha? Unfortunately I’m not an experienced political analyst and can’t possibly comment.
   
   
4. Even Better Than The Real Thing - U2
   I have a very sneaking suspicion that this wasn’t Barack’s choice. I’d bet money that Barack asked his good friend Dave for the name of a British band that write songs that are political and relevant. And this is what Dave, his finger always on the pulse, came up with. It’s either that or a nod to Barack’s Irish heritage, in a bid for the Celtic vote - I refuse to believe the second explanation. Far too cynical a move for old Barack.
   
   
5. Let’s Stay Together - Al Green
   But of course. It could only be better if it was a version actually sung by Barack. Go one, team Obama. Make it happen.
   
   
6. We Used To Wait - Arcade Fire
   You just know how he found this one. One of his team - cool, young, whatever the name is for a hipster with fervent political views - plays a song on the computer in the office (I admit, how I imagine volunteering for the Obama corps works probably isn’t 100% accurate, but humour me here) and the Pres wonders by, hears the wall of strange noise and stops in his tracks. “That song!” he says, turning to an aide, “Get me the name of that song!” And lo, Arcade Fire gained their place on the hallowed Obama playlist. Amen.
   
   
7. We Take Care of Our Own - Bruce Springsteen
   Bruce is a foregone conclusion. The only real question was which song to choose? Almost any would do - ‘Blinded by the Light’ is surely a strong contender, as is the relentlessly cheerful ‘Waitin’ on a Sunny Day’. So why this one? Well, maybe because it’s just so darn American. It’s got a good message and it even namechecks Obama’s old stomping ground, Chicago. After extensively reviewing the lyrics I’ve decided that choosing this song is a dextrous political manoeuvre which ranks alongside Obama’s best. Bravo, Barack. Bravo.
   
   
8. Green Onions - Booker T & the MGs
   It may have no words but it speaks volumes. I’m not sure exactly what it’s saying, though. Barack’s a funky kind of guy? Surely we all know that? 
   
   
9. The Best Thing About Me Is You - Ricky Martin ft. Joss Stone
   The most controversial and perhaps unexpected choice on the playlist. With its upbeat lyrics and inclusive message, it’s kind of a chilled-out, sanitised protest song. Possibly chosen for its title, and the slightly cloying implication that the best thing about Barack is us (well, not me, I can’t vote for the guy). If I was being very cynical I would say it also serves a more political purpose: Martin is both Latino and gay, and his inclusion may be an attempt to reach out to both demographics. Then again, maybe Barack is a just a big fan of Joss Stone. Anything’s possible.
   
   
10. Home - Dierks Bentley
    The playlist contains an unexpected amount of country - but apparently it’s big over there. This is a classic. It’s a ballad to the mother country, chest-bangingly patriotic, and praises freedom and diversity, declaring “no we’re not the same/But that’s what makes us strong” in a slightly more sophisticated lyrical take on the old saying “opposites attract”. Does this mean even the staunchest Republicans may rethink their support of the old white guy who most closely resembles them? Probably not. Doesn’t hurt to try though, does it?