Political Campaign Music Sucks Ass



Have you ever wondered why political campaign music sucks so much Ass? It is so processed, so lacking in edge that it rankles profusely (The Corsair casts a look of savage chagrin). We figure that with so many spin-masters and strategists vetting everything -- for further reference see Al Gore's 2000 campaign -- that anything remotely original dies a death by a thousand Machiavels. Think former Governor Pataki, who had the "Hungarian Rhapsody" as his inaugural theme music when he first won the New York Governorship. And Bill Richardson's techno remix of "Lean on Me."

Sucks ass.

Politico analyzes the trend:

"Picking the right song can brand a campaign. Fleetwood Mac's 'Don't Stop (Thinking About Tomorrow)" highlighted Bill Clinton's youth and the optimistic theme of his '92 campaign. It was a far cry from Ronald Reagan's patriotic 'God Bless the USA,' the Lee Greenwood tune that staged a comeback thanks to 9/11.

"Campaign theme songs are as old as American politics, but using pop songs is a more recent trend. According to a campaign song album by Oscar Brand, our first prez employed 'Follow Washington' and James Monroe won with the humble ditty 'Monroe Is the Man.' There was also James Madison's 'Huzzah for Madison, Huzzah.'

"There's always a risk in picking the wrong song. Ross Perot's choice in 1992 was Patsy Cline's 'Crazy.' A bad pick can also be a bigger headache than it's worth. Bob Dole had to stop using 'Dole Man,' a doctored version of "Soul Man" by Sam and Dave, when copyright issues were raised. President Bush had to pull John Hall's "Still the One" when the artist objected on political grounds, saying he didn't want the song "used to promote the candidacy of someone who has been a disaster for the environment." (Hall's now a Democratic congressman from New York.)"

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