Five songs that helped shape presidential campaigns

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As a child of the ’80s and ’90s, I have vivid memories of the political landscape during those years, and the role music played in shaping public opinion is something that has always fascinated me. The four presidential campaign songs you’ve highlighted are indeed iconic, each embodying the spirit of their respective campaigns.

When Kamala Harris was granted the right to play Beyoncé’s 2016 song “Freedom” during her presidential campaign, it apparently caused a significant increase in online streams of the track. Since “Freedom” is a track from Beyoncé’s triple-platinum album “Lemonade,” one of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful albums of the 21st century, such an increase in popularity is noteworthy.

The song appears perfectly fitting for Harris’ campaign, as its rhythmic structure resembles an anthem and its lyrics about freedom strongly resonate with the foundational American value of liberty. Moreover, the fact that it originates from a trailblazing black female artist endorsing what could be history’s first black woman to lead a major party’s ticket adds a powerful, aspirational touch.

But will it help Harris win the presidency?

Five songs that helped shape presidential campaigns

The question at hand is quite complex, and it seems we won’t start uncovering answers until after the election. Even if we do, it might remain uncertain how much the song truly influenced things, as it’s almost impossible to measure accurately.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’d say: From the start of political campaigns, tunes have played a significant role, just like how a catchy soundtrack elevates a game. John Adams, in his challenge against Thomas Jefferson in 1800, utilized “Adams and Liberty,” a song that didn’t quite secure him victory. Over time, campaign songs were often remixes of popular melodies with new lyrics that praised the candidate – much like how we mod tracks to fit our gaming styles. This trend held true for “Adams and Liberty” and many other campaign anthems well into the 20th century.

Over time, job applicants seeking an innovative strategy started adopting recently popular tunes, modifying the lyrics slightly or keeping them unchanged altogether. The failed Democratic candidate Al Smith could have been one of the pioneers to employ this method when he utilized the song “Sidewalks of New York” in 1928 to highlight his urban New York heritage.

As a gamer, sometimes a character’s theme song just encapsulates them perfectly. In 1948, when I was playing the game of politics as Democrat Harry Truman, Eubie Blake’s “I’m Just Wild About Harry” from a show decades prior became my anthem.

For some time, there was a recurring swap between political campaigns as they leaned towards different methods of song selection: Republicans tended to opt for traditional practices, such as commissioning new songs (usually built upon existing tunes), while Democrats generally preferred using contemporary songs in their entirety.

1972 marked the debut of rock and roll in a presidential election, though it didn’t start off promisingly. During George McGovern’s campaign against Richard Nixon, Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water” was used. However, McGovern experienced one of the most significant defeats in presidential history.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but reflect on the misconception that Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water” was somehow responsible for the Democratic Party’s defeat in 1972. The truth is, the party was in turmoil and McGovern was facing an uphill battle against a well-established incumbent. However, the melancholic beauty and message of resilience amidst hardship embodied by “Bridge Over Troubled Water” might not have been the most inspiring campaign song during such challenging times.

The most successful campaign songs have been up-tempo and high energy. They pulse with vitality. As Baby Boomers aged into a position of electoral significance late in the century, rock and roll seemed like the obvious way to attract them with its high-octane vitality. Rock and roll, along with its popular neighbors in country and hip hop have played an increasingly important role in presidential campaigns from McGovern’s campaign to today.

In the year 2000, George Bush and Al Gore were frequently playing popular tunes at their campaign events, sometimes without the artists’ consent. It struck me that overusing music might not bode well for a political campaign. Interestingly, Hillary Clinton has utilized nine different songs to back her presidential bids in 2008 and 2016. While these tracks are undeniably catchy, history has shown us the results weren’t always favorable.

Having a great song doesn’t guarantee anything. In 2004, John Kerry used three fantastic songs – Bruce Springsteen’s “No Surrender,” CCR’s “Fortunate Son,” and U2’s “Beautiful Day.” He still lost to George Bush, who focused on playing a couple of popular country songs at his campaign events. Bernie Sanders has used songs from diverse artists such as Tracy Chapman, David Bowie, John Lennon, and the White Stripes. Never got him the nomination.

As someone who has been involved in politics for many years, I have to say that some of the music choices made by American politicians during their campaigns have left me scratching my head. In 2008, Rudy Giuliani’s decision to play “Rudie Can’t Fail” by The Clash during his campaign was particularly puzzling. It seemed as though he might have been having a few drinks in the morning when that decision was made. Beto O’Rourke also turned to The Clash for “Clampdown” in 2020, which raised questions about whether American politicians should stick to more traditional campaign music. And John McCain’s use of Abba’s “Take a Chance on Me” in 2008 seemed oddly supplicatory for such a tough character. It’s important for politicians to choose their campaign music carefully, as it can greatly impact the way voters perceive them. I think it would be best for American politicians to stick to more mainstream and less controversial choices when it comes to their campaign soundtracks.

At times, a campaign anthem can effectively mobilize backing for a contender. Let me share five examples where the tune and the candidate appeared to be in sync, almost as if they were made for each other.

1932 – “HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN” – Franklin Roosevelt

Undoubtedly, one of the most impactful campaign songs in history was composed by Milton Ager and Jack Yellen just before the Great Depression. This song served as a source of comfort for a troubled nation when the economy faltered. Before the 1932 election, it gained popularity not only as a standalone track but also as part of Charles Reisner’s movie “Chasing Rainbows,” released in 1930.

Ager’s tune is lively and positive, fitting perfectly with Yellen’s lyrics that exude optimism: “Good times are back – The skies are bright again – So let’s sing a joyful song once more – Good times are back.” This song was played during the Democratic National Convention when Roosevelt secured his nomination, and it became a regular feature at his campaign events.

The situation perfectly captured a nation longing for a fresh start and vitality. As you might recall from your history lessons, FDR managed to overtake incumbent Herbert Hoover, introduce the New Deal, and secure three additional presidential terms before his passing in 1945. Since then, that tune has been regarded as an unofficial anthem of the Democratic Party.

1960 – “HIGH HOPES” – John F. Kennedy

In 1959, the ever-optimistic tune “High Hopes” was penned by songwriters James Van Heusen and Sammy Cahn. This iconic song was famously sung by Frank Sinatra in the movie “A Hole in the Head,” directed by Frank Capra. The song went on to become a major success for Sinatra, earning him an Oscar for Best Song.

Peter Lawford, Kennedy’s brother-in-law, was part of the Rat Pack – a dynamic group of entertainers-turned-actors, led by Sinatra. For a period, Sinatra and the senator developed a strong friendship. In 1960, Sinatra recorded a revised version of “High Hopes” for JFK’s election campaign. The lyrics were altered to support Kennedy, stating: “Everyone is voting for Jack – He’s got what others lack – Everyone wants to back Jack – Jack is on the right track.” The song concluded with an encouraging chant: “Vote for Kennedy – Vote for Kennedy – And we’ll rise above – Watch the opposition fall!”

As a gamer, I’d say: The groovy tune really showcased Kennedy’s energy and attracted a younger audience, helping him edge out Richard Nixon in a tight race. However, when Ol’ Blue Eyes discovered himself mostly sidelined post-election, he developed a grudge against Kennedy, eventually becoming a firm Republican ally.

1992 – “DON’T STOP” – Bill Clinton

As the year 1992 approached, the Democratic nominee for president had lost five out of the last six elections. With just about 18 months remaining before the election, incumbent George H.W. Bush appeared so unbeatable that numerous prominent Democrats chose not to contest this time around.

The emergence created an opportunity for eager, up-and-coming competitors, and none were more determined than Governor Bill Clinton from Arkansas. He embraced the contest, and as damaging economic reports threatened the Bush administration, Clinton stood ready to claim victory.

As a gamer, I found solace in a melody from a renowned British artist, Christine McVie, whose hit single was a pop sensation about fifteen years ago. The song, titled “Don’t Stop,” off Fleetwood Mac’s iconic Rumours album, seemed tailor-made for a transformative political campaign aiming to usher in a new era and focus on the promising days ahead: “Keep thinking about tomorrow – It won’t wait, it’ll be here soon – Things will get better than they were before – Yesterday has faded away, yesterday is gone.”

As someone who grew up in the ’60s and ’70s, I vividly remember the impact that “Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey had during the 2008 presidential campaign. The song was a staple at the Democratic convention, and its powerful chorus of hope resonated with many people, myself included. To see the band perform it live at one of Clinton’s Inaugural Balls was an unforgettable experience. It was a symbol of unity and optimism during a time when our country needed it the most. I still get goosebumps every time I hear that iconic song.

2008 – “YES WE CAN” – Barack Obama

During Barack Obama’s groundbreaking presidential run in 2008, several songs were connected, but none seemed to resonate as strongly as “Yes We Can.” This song was created by William James Adams, Jr., a member of the Black Eyed Peas who goes by will.i.am. He incorporated parts of a speech penned by Jon Favreau and spoken by Obama after his close defeat to Hillary Clinton in the 2008 New Hampshire primary.

In a creative twist, will.i.am juxtaposed the candidate’s inspiring statements with a straightforward melody, resulting in a video featuring numerous celebrities reciting alongside Obama, intermittently singing a few lines, but mainly echoing his words. The music was predominantly an acoustic guitar and the rhythmic chants of the crowd who originally listened to Obama’s speech.

Notable personalities such as John Legend, Common, and Nicole Scherzinger, along with others like Scarlett Johansson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, participated. The unique strategy – reminiscent of political spin on popular song sampling techniques – infused it with a contemporary twist. Moreover, the consistent use of the title phrase by Obama served as a rallying cry for his campaign.

By the summer of 2008, the song/video had been played over 20 million times on YouTube, although it’s hard to say exactly how much impact it had on the election itself.

2016 – “GOD BLESS THE USA” – Donald Trump

In 1984, Lee Greenwood released “God Bless the USA,” a song that resonated strongly during Ronald Reagan’s term, reflecting the Republican Party’s sentiment of national pride and patriotism. Since then, this tune has been a common element in almost every Republican campaign, with Donald Trump utilizing it exceptionally well during his successful 2016 presidential bid.

In their victories, Republican candidates often found success by sticking close to traditional country and Americana tunes. Trump frequently emphasized Greenwood’s chorus, “I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free…”, and culminated with the title tag line in the final lines of the chorus.

1. Despite some critics arguing that Trump had previously claimed he was too smart to serve in the Vietnam War, this perceived hypocrisy didn’t seem to affect his popularity during the 2016 elections.

In summary, let me clarify one point: When I selected the top five presidential campaign songs, I focused on tunes connected to successful campaigns. Consequently, there wasn’t space in the list for my all-time favorite pairing of a candidate and a song from an unsuccessful campaign.

1992 saw Bill Clinton frequently playing Fleetwood Mac tunes across various platforms, while independent candidate Ross Perot opted for “Crazy,” a song penned by Willie Nelson and popularized by Patsy Cline, at his campaign events. This country classic seemed to encapsulate Perot’s eccentric, unconventional humor, resonating with both conservatives and liberals alike. Despite having little chance of winning, Perot mounted one of the most effective third-party campaigns in history, and some believe he paved the way for Bill Clinton’s eventual victory.

In the near future, we’ll find out if Beyoncé’s music might resonate as powerfully as some renowned political campaign songs have in the past.

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2024-08-04 13:01