Political playlists for passenger perils
Published: Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Updated: Tuesday, August 28, 2012 00:08
In honor of the RNC this week, The Oracle has compiled a list of songs pertinent to the Convention. This playlist will come in handy when you find yourself stuck in traffic for two, three or four hours while Mitt Romney’s cavalcade makes it’s way ever-so-slowly from his hotel to the Tampa Bay Times Forum.
1. “God Bless the USA” by Lee Greenwood
This one is a no-brainer. Greenwood is playing in Tampa during the convention, and “God Bless the USA” is a favorite among Republicans. The song embodies the spirit of the capitalist American dream without any mention of greed or in- equality.
2. “Black Republican” by Nas (Ft. Jay-Z)
A perfect fit for the RNC. While there is argument that the song is an ironic statement about the Republican Party and American politics in general, we can set aside these questions for this special week and bask in lyrics such as “I feel like a Black Republican, money I got comin’ in.”
3. “The Infanta” by The Decemberists
The Decemberists are solidly anti-Republican, having sup- ported Barack Obama during his 2008 run for President. However, this song, which begins with the line “Here she comes, in her palanquin/on the back of an elephant/on a bed made of linen and sequins and silk...” smacks of Republican imagery. In fact, I imagine Ann Coulter will arrive at the Forum in this exact fashion.
4. “New Day” by Kanye West and Jay-Z
Kanye West is another non-Republican.
5. “America Will Always Stand” by Randy Travis
Randy Travis was supposed to play at one of the concerts during the RNC, but that was before he got drunk and naked. Still, this song, written by Travis in response to the 9/11 tragedy, is as patriotic and emotionally exploitative as a song can be.
6. Ocean
“Super Rich Kids” by Frank
Children of 1 percent, the target of many of the protests going on at the convention, can certainly appreciate the lyrics of “Super Rich Kids,” the likes of which include “The maids come around too much/ Parents aren’t around enough...”
7. “American Girl” by Tom Petty
When Michele Bachmann threw her hat into the presidential ring, she made a mistake and used this as her theme song. That made Tom Petty mad, because he didn’t support Bachmann. Bachmann ceased using the song, but in the end it didn’t really make a difference, as her campaign never really took off. But since she liked it, it must be a good, Republican song. There’s always next time. Especially since she’s “an American girl, raised on promises...”
8. “Born Free” by Kid Rock
Now here’s a song written about Republicans, for Republicans, by an actual Republican. Kid Rock will be playing in Tampa this week, and this song is sure to bring the crowd to its feet, especially when Kid Rock sings “You can knock me down and watch me bleed/but you can’t keep no chains on me.”
9. “Wake Up” by The Arcade Fire
The Arcade Fire is from Montreal, so they can’t place a vote in this election. “Wake Up” is an excellent option for a song that could be employed to incite Republican rage against the current administration. “Children, wake up/hold your mistake up/before they turn the summer into dust.” Obviously the Republicans will argue that the mistake is Obama, and the time is now to “wake up” and vote Mitt. It’s a great song full of good, old- fashioned strength and vitality. Them are fightin’ words!
10. “Only In America” by Brooks & Dunn
Usually when we hear the phrase “only in America,” there is some kind of ironic connotation behind it. Not so with this gem by country duo Brooks & Dunn, which makes this song a refresh- ing change from the overly self-aware country music that is so often played on CMT. “Only In America” emphasizes the good fortune we have to live in a country that is free and full of possibilities. With a heavy guitar and easy lyrics to remember, this is one song perfect for Republicans who like to fist-pump and clink beer steins. They don’t call it the Grand Old Party for nothing, you know.
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