meish dot org: life, unfolding

One of the things that has been most fascinating about that there election – aside from the sheer car-crash/negativist nature of the GOP side of things, and the stunning groundswell of positive, infectious enthusiasm from the other side of the fence – has been the way it’s inspired cultural objects in a way I’m not sure we’ve seen before,

Maybe it’s the perfect storm of internet platforms + user creativity + interesting politics (for a change), or any single bit of that equation, but in either case the last 18 months or so has seen an amazing amount of creative effort put into art, graphic design and – especially – music.

Of course, music has played a part in candidates’ campaigns since the Mad Men era, influencing everything from the background plinky-plunky reflective sounds on their ads/party political broadcasts , to what the leaders stride onstage to at the conference/convention (remember Things Can Only Get Better?). Here’s a lovely example of music used in JFK’s campaigns:

It’s interesting to note that – with the polls showing Obama and McCain still vaguely neck and neck(ish) as I write – the overwhelming majority of candidate-inspired songs on YouTube at the moment are about Obama, even though McCain rhymes with so many more things.
Pain.
Insane.
Stain.
Inane.
Bane.
Arcane.
Vain.
Migraine.
Complain.
Plain.
Gravy train.
Mark of Cain.
Jack Lillane.
Never smoked Mary Jane.

You know, that sort of thing.

But aside from a few choice examples, there’s not a whole lot of folks feting his candidacy in song. In fact, most of the examples I can find on YouTube are mocking him rather mercilessly instead:

1. McCain Be Old: He farts dust and is a hunter-gatherer.
2. The Angry John McCain Song: If his finger’s on the button I’m afraid that we’ll all die
3. John McCain Kicks it Old School
4. M.C.Cain Rap: He’s Indiana Jones meets GI Jane
5. john.he.is
6. Insane in the McCain Brain (100 years in Iraq)
7. I’m afraid of John McCain: He seems so close to cracking up/what if he blows us all up?

And some pro-McCain ones, in the interest of balance:

8. this one, rather unfortunately based on Clapton’s Cocaine. Not that bright, I guess.
9. This rather saccharine attempt which only seems to consist of a chorus
10. It’s Rainin’ McCain which seems to use the tactic of replacing random words in the original Weathergirls song with the words “John McCain” (e.g. “I’m going to go out and get myself / absolutely John McCain”) which means it doesn’t even make sense.
11. Insane 4 John McCain which appears to be a hymn to the love of the older gent. This may be a parody, but you never know with Republicans.

Meanwhile, Barack Obama, despite having a name which defies simple scanning or easy rhyming, has inspired more than his fair share of musical output online, with many, many more positive than negative (*that I could find*).

The really impressive thing, as well the creativity people have put into their work, is the incredible range of musical can cultural styles and references represented. It’s not all parody/rap, and for every one which rags on the Republicans, there are ten which speak about hope and change and real people’s inspirations and dreams. Seeing people being inspired by powerful messages about change, galvanised into action and growing belief in themselves, their country in an inclusive, diverse and hopeful way is inspiring in itself.

Some interesting examples:


Yes We Can – will.i.am

From Cameroon

Sing for Obama

Si, Se puede cambiar

Kenge Kenge

Carter Scratch

A little Mariachi flavour

Some Reggaeton (warning: earworm potential high)

Dance-like cover of Rihanna

Change – R&B/Rap

We’re not black or white, red or blue / just one united nation with work to do

Rock & roll/Country

Reggae

Soul – Something about the man

Dave Stewart – American Prayer (co-written by Bono, and it shows. Also featuring the rather odd sight of George Costanza dancing)

Rhythm & Blues – Choose to Unite

Americana