One way in which American politicians steadfastly demonstrate style over substance is in the “campaign theme song.”
Because of movies and television, Walkmans and iPods, modern Americans believe life must have a soundtrack. The music helps us feel things. So it doesn’t really matter what the songs actually say. Despite chorus after chorus of objection over the years by bands and singer/songwriters, politicians continue to misuse, or misunderstand, the music they choose to champion themselves into office.
President Ronald Reagan set the gold standard in 1984 when his campaign used Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the U.S.A.” as a “patriotic” anthem and referred to “the message of hope” his in songs. In reality, the song is about the effects on the Vietnam war on those who served, a tribute to those who did not come back and a protest of the hardships veterans faced at home.
The song has relevance for today, which is apparently why no campaign uses it.
Last week, sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson of the rock band Heart had a conniption when their song “Barracuda” was played after Sen. John McCain’s acceptance speech. Vice presidential pick Sarah Palin was nicknamed “Sarah Barracuda” as a high school basketball player. The song is about the “soulless, corporate nature of the music business, particularly for women.”
Musicians Jackson Browne, John Mellencamp and Rep. John Hall, a New York Democrat and founding member of the band Orleans, have also told the McCain campaign to stop using their music, or have sued to do so. (McCain likes the Orleans’ song “Still the One.”)
Even if no one objects, the song choices can be puzzling, or revealing. Republican Mitt Romney played Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline,” a song Diamond revealed he wrote after seeing a photo of a very young Caroline Kennedy.
Hillary Clinton used Tom Petty &the Heartbreakers’ “American Girl,” a catchy but lyrically mysterious song, which was used to truly scary effect in the movie “Silence of the Lambs.” Perhaps the only message was: Hey, we’re tying to edge away from supporters’ selection of Celine Dion’s “You and I.” Good strategy.
Joe Biden’s campaign song must have made an impression on Barack Obama. Before giving up his run for president, Biden used John Fogerty’s “Centerfield.” (“Oh, put me in coach/I’m ready to play/today.”)
Before the now-disgraced Sen. John Edwards exited the campaign, he liked to play the U2 song “Pride (In The Name Of Love).” The song is a tribute to Martin Luther King Jr.
It just so happens, as Edwards discovered, poetically and career-endingly, pride is also one the seven deadly sins.
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