Favorite songs of candidates and politicians (and a few hangers-on)

By
Jack Brummet, Social Mores Editor

Mona Goldwater, Style Editor

We recently researched favorite songs of some of our favorite (and many not so favorite) politicians, candidates, and pundits.  We thought this would be a research nightmare...but then figured, naw... remember when someone on an MTV College Town Hall sort of thing asked Bill Clinton whether he wore briefs or boxers; didn't he answer? People must have asked politicians about their favorite songs too...

This was originally inspired by BHO--Jack remembers him telling someone his favorite Dylan song was "I ain't gonna work on Maggie's farm no more," and what a perfect choice that was.

Former President Bill Clinton's Presidential museum has released two volumes of his favorite songs.  Volume 1 contains

Miles Davis, "My Funny Valentine"

Nina Simone, I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free"
John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman, "My One and Only Love"
Zoot Sims, "Summertime"
Mahalia Jackson, "Take My Hand, Precious Lord"
Igor Butman, "Nostalgie"
Judy Collins, "Chelsea Morning"
Art Tatum, "There Will Never Be Another You"
Mickey Mangun, "In the Presence of Jehovah"
David Sanborn, "Harlem Nocturne"

Bill's Volume 2 includes songs by: Joan Baez, Elton John, Stan Getz with Charlie Byrd, Carly Simon, Simon and Garfunkel, Sarah McLachlan, Willie Nelson, North Texas Wind Symphony, Van Morrison, John Williams and the President’s Own United States Marine Band,.

Bill O'Reilly gave this list of his five favorite songs to Don Imus.  Jack felt a little strange about one, since it lists at least two of his own favorite songs (Drive My Car, L.A. Woman):

“I Love Music,” by The OJays

“Baby You Can Drive My Car,” by The Beatles
“Just Dance,” by Lady Gaga
“L.A. Woman,” by The Doors
“Kentucky Rain,” by Elvis Presley

Barack Obama: Favorite Bob Dylan song "I ain't gonna work on Maggie's farm no more"

Hilary Clinton: Aretha Franklin "Respect"

Ex Governor (and bassist) Mike Huckabee: Stephanopoulos: "What's your favorite song?  Huckabee: "Oh, don't ask that because then you start getting me into stuff, which artist. It's going to most likely be a Mellencamp or Rolling Stones or Beatles song. Maybe Creedence. But can you tell, it's got to be heavy guitar music in there?"

But then, another time, Huck gave this list of his favorite five songs to Don Imus:

"I Want to Hold Your Hand," by The Beatles
"Start Me Up," by The Rolling Stones
"Purple Haze," by Jimi Hendrix
"Freebird," by Lynyrd Skynyrd
"Restless," by Alabama

Political Grateful Dead fans.  While we don't know their favorite songs, we do know that these folks have at various times happily admitted to the press (or even followed the band on the road) that they are DeadHeads, a/k/a fans of The Grateful Dead. As a fellow-traveller, I bet that this list is woefully incomplete.   We Are Everywhere.

(photo of Jerry Garcia, the last time we saw him in Seagttle, in 1995)

Senator Patrick Leahy 
Anne Coulter !?
Tipper Gore
Tucker Carlson (no question on this one...he's had members on his shows). 
Soon to be ex-Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.  She had the surviving members play after her swearing in as Speaker.
Majority Leader, Senator Harry Reid:  Quote: "Here, I'll show you the bathroom. This is my prized possession, a signed poster of the Grateful Dead." - from Las Vegas Eyes Witness News
Senator Al Franken - Al was and is a huge Grateful Dead fan (who pressured Lorne Michaels, successfully, to get them on SNL), saw literally hundreds of shows, and I think...appeared on stage with them more than once.

Glen Beck:

"You and I," by Ingrid Michaelson
"Haven't Met You Yet," by Michael Buble
"Bad Romance," by Lady Gaga
"Uprising," by Muse
"Exogenesis: Symphony: Part 3 (Redemption)," by Muse

In 2008, Blender.com listed John McCain and Barack Obama's favorites.  Randy Newman commented on some of their choices:  "McCain has a really likable list. Then again, Hitler liked some good music, you know?" 

Senator Barack Obama:
1. "Ready or Not"  by The Fugees
2. "What's Going On" by Marvin Gaye
3. "I'm On Fire" by  Bruce Springsteen
4. "Gimme Shelter " by The Rolling Stones
5. "Sinnerman" by Nina Simone
6. "Touch the Sky" by Kanye West
7. "You'd Be So Easy to Love"  by Frank Sinatra
8. "Think" by Aretha Franklin
9. "City of Blinding Lights"  by U2
10. "Yes We Can" by will.i.am

Senator John McCain:

 1. "Dancing Queen" by ABBA
2. "Blue Bayou" Roy Orbison
3. "Take a Chance On Me" by ABBA
4. "If We Make It Through December" by Merle Haggard
5. "As Time Goes By" by Dooley Wilson
6. "Good Vibrations" by  The Beach Boys
7. "What A Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong
8. "I've Got You Under My Skin" by Frank Sinatra
9. "Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond
10. "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes"  by The Platters

The Reverend Al Sharpton:  "Talking Loud, Saying Nothing," by James Brown. The Reverend called it "James Brown's song about the Republican Party."

Rep. Dennis Kucinich:"Imagine," John Lennon

Ex-Senator John Edwards:  "Small Town," by John Mellencamp.

Ex-Rep. Dick Gephardt: "Born in the USA," By Bruce Springsteen.

Sen. Bob Graham: "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes," by Jimmy Buffett

A whole bunch of favorites from Don Imus (he regularly asks guests their five favorite songs...we got probably a third of this list from the Imus archives):

Ex-Governor Mitt Romney:

"Friends in Low Places," by Garth Brooks
"Crying," by Roy Orbison
"Let it Be," by The Beatles
"Lying Eyes," by The Eagles
"Like a Rolling Stone," by Bob Dylan
"When I Said I Do," by Clint Black and Lisa Hartman Black


Senator Bob Kerrey:

"Tom Traubert's Blues," by Tom Waits
"I Still Carry You Around," by Steve Earle
"Can't Let Go," by Lucinda Williams
"Romance is a Slow Dance," by Tim O'Brien
"When the Deal Goes Down," by Bob Dylan

Senator John Kerry:

"No Surrender,” by Bruce Springsteen
“Born to Run,” by Bruce Springsteen
“Hey, Jude,” by The Beatles
“Satisfaction,” by The Rolling Stones
“Like A Rolling Stone,” by Bob Dylan

Senator John Thune:

"Long Time," by Boston
"Independence Day," by Martina McBride
"Don't Stop Believing," by Journey
"Roll With the Changes," by REO Speedwagon
"Where the Streets Have No Name," by U2

Senator Chris Dodd:

Anything by Roy Orbison
Bobby Darin
Early Beatles Songs
Anything by Patsy Klein
Frank Sinatra
Barbara Streisand

Congressman Ron Paul:

"Universal Soldier," by Donovan
"Alice's Restaurant," by Arlo Gutherie

Congressman Darrell Issa:

"Cats in the Cradle," by Harry Chapin
"Bennie and the Jets," by Elton John
"American Pie," by Don McClain
"Welcome Back," by John B. Sebastian
"Wouldn't It Be Nice," by the Beach Boys
"Take it Easy" or "Hotel California," by the Eagles

Governor David Paterson:

"Beyond The Sea," by Bobby Darin
"Get Up, Stand Up," by Bob Marley
"A Change is Going to Come," by Sam Cooke
"Sister Golden Hair," by America
"Empire State of Mind," by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys
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