Presidential Top Ten
We’re knee deep into election hoopla, no one can escape the madness! Our candidates and former presidents live under the watchful eyes of the media, but surprisingly little is known about their personal lives. Sometimes you can tell a lot about a person based on their preferences, even if some of their answers are carefully pre-selected. After all, their policies judge YOU based on your sexual preference, tax bracket and religion, so why not judge them on something equally as shallow – their taste in music!
Mitt Romney
Last November, Romney told Vanity Fair that he enjoys The Eagles, The Beatles, The Killers (fronted by a fellow Mormon), Randy Travis and Roy Orbison.
Ron Paul
Dailypaul.com claims that Ron’s favorite song is Donovan‘s “The Universal Soldier”. Damn, kinda wished he picked “Atlantis” instead.
Newt Gingrich
Couldn’t find any information on his musical preference, not even a drop. However, it’s important to note that music has caused him considerable grief lately. He’s being sued by 80’s arena rockers Survivor for using “Eye of The Tiger” in his campaign without permission. Last year he was served a cease & desist order for using a song called “How Do You Like Me Now” from British funk band The Heavy without permission. Strange that a self described American historian (and ACTA / SOPA supporter) doesn’t respect the very intellectual property laws he claims to be in favor of.
Rick Santorum
While campaigning at a $10,000 per plate fundraiser in Valdosta, Georgia, Rick said, “If you listen to the radio today, many of these brand new, so-called heavy metal music bands like Black Sabbath, Venom, The WASP and Iron Maiden use satanic imagery to corrupt the minds of young people.” Fact is, none of those bands are new or brand new, not by any stretch of the imagination. Sabbath formed in 1969, Venom in the late 70’s (as Oberon), Maiden in 1977, WASP in 1981 (who were already involved in a political witch hunt during the Reagan administration). Even if Rick is confused about what decade it is (giving him the benefit of the doubt) I haven’t heard Venom, Maiden or W.A.S.P. on the radio in like twenty years. For the record, Sabbath HAS used satanic imagery, but they’ve also been wearing giant crosses around their neck since Rick was in elementary school. Also, it’s W.A.S.P., not The Wasp. Better check The Google next time.
John Huntsman
Says his favorite band is REO Speedwagon. In 1978 he dropped out of high school during his senior year to play keyboards in a rock band called Wizard. Would love to see video of that. But until then…check out Huntsman covering Johnny B. Goode
Bill Clinton
Clinton’s love of music is well documented, he even has a 2 CD set of his favorite songs available. Not many presidents can say that, actually…none of them can say that. Has repeatedly said that his favorite artists are Elvis Presley and Fleetwood Mac. Chicago Times reported that he had Van Morrison‘s “Brown Eyed Girl” on his iPod, as did George W. Bush.
George H.W. Bush & George W. Bush
George Sr. was quoted in 1991 as saying, “When I need a little advice about Saddam Hussein, I turn to country music.” Writer Stewart O’Nan briefly discussed the role country music has played in our history in The Vietnam Reader. “After World War II, American music changed drastically…Rock N’ Roll grew from a mix of blues, gospel, country and boogie-woogie and quickly displaced the crooners of the war years. The folk and beat movements collided in coffeehouses and on campus. By the mid-sixties, three major styles ruled popular music – folk, rock and soul. By the end of 1973, all three branches of popular music had made strong anti-war statements. Only country western, which held sway in the conservative south and rural west, continued to offer pro-war songs.” George W. Bush echoed his father’s sentiment, telling reporters that his favorite artists are George Jones, Alan Jackson and Kenny Chesney.
Jimmy Carter
Said he loves The Allman Brothers, Paul Simon and The Marshall Tucker Band. According to interviews conducted by author Kevin Mattson, Carter said he was a huge fan of Bob Dylan until the singer converted to Christianity. Here I thought I’d heard every Dylan criticism there was, as if going electric, moving to LA and joining The Traveling Wilburys wasn’t enough.
Barack Obama
Lists Bach, Miles Davis, Bob Dylan and The Fugees as favorites.
Ronald Reagan
Told reporters in 1980 that his two favorite songs were “Battle Hymn of The Republic” and “Nancy (With the Laughing Face” by Frank Sinatra.
