Barack Obama’s music playlist
p2pnet news view Music | Politics:- Nothing in high-stakes modern American politics is left to chance, says Gavin Hewitt who’s tailing Barack Obama for the BBC.
There’s even a music playlist at his rallies, says Hewitt, going on:
“It is played at every rally. No local favourites sneak in. Just a mixture of old and new.”
He continues »»»
There is “The Adventure” by Angels and Airwaves, “Celebration” by Kool and the Gang and “Give the People What They Want” by the O’Jays.
I am reliably informed by Rob Magee, my cameraman, that the Obama playlist consists of 21 songs – all soon to be uploaded onto his iPod.
Two songs, however, are used to define the campaign. One is the arrival anthem, that plays Barack Obama onto the stage. It is U2’s ‘City of Blinding Lights’ – with its line “oh you look so beautiful tonight”.
And after his speech, when he lifts the bottle of water to his lips, in comes the heavy beat and then Stevie Wonder’s scream in “Signed, Sealed, Delivered”.
In the arena, a soundman stands at his console and fades in the music, much as if this was a rock show. And in a way it is. The timing is usually immaculate.
“I have watched him closely at rally after rally,” says Hewitt, adding:
“His playlist does not change – and neither does he. He is unruffled, disciplined. His organisation is tightly-controlled. They do not like the unpredictable.”
Gimme Shelter
“Nothing reveals more about a person than his musical tastes,” says Robert Paul Reyes on the Student Operated Press.
A person who doesn’t listen to music, is a “soulless mutation,” and, “I wouldn’t trust him if my life depended on it,” he says, continuing »»»
Music is not only the soundtracks of our lives, but the nutrition that sustains our souls. If there is a Paradise I’m persuaded that music will be blaring from every heavenly mansion.
In a recent interview with Rolling Stone magazine Sen. Barack Obama said that “growing up, he listened to Elton John and Earth, Wind & Fire but that Stevie Wonder was his ultimate musical hero during the 70s. The Stones track Gimme Shelter topped his favourite songs from the band. His selection also contained 30 songs from Dylan.”
For the nonce, uploaded onto his iPod, eh?
And of course, Obama’s songs have all been paid for.
Right?
So the RIAA won’t be after him.
Or his kids.
Right!
BBC – The songs – and the candidate – remain the same, October 29, 2008
Student Operated Press - What Music Does Barack Obama Listen To? , June 28, 2008
Use free p2pnet newsfeeds for your site. It`s really easy!Subscribe to p2pnet.net | | rss feed: http://p2pnet.net/p2p.rss | | Mobile – http://p2pnet.net/index-wml.php
Net access blocked by government restrictions? Use Psiphon from the Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto. Go here for details.
December 3rd, 2008 at 1:36 am
How about “The National’ – the indie rock band that played at Obama’s Vote-Ohio gig. Listen to their stunning tracks, “Fake Empire” (from their “Boxer” album) and “Mr November” (from their album “Alligator”) which seemed so perfectly apt for the Obama campaign.
An instrumental version of “Fake Empire” was the backing for the Obama “Signs of Hope and Change” video, and the same track with its stunning trumpet fanfare (by Australian composer Padma Newsome) was played at Obama’s celebration at Grant Park.