By: VALIS VICENTY, Special to The Trentonian
10/15/2008
LAWRENCE - Popular musicians wielding political might are some of the overlooked movers and shakers in this election season.
Artists such as Ludacris, putting out the controversial song "Politics" on YouTube, and John Rich with his "Raisin' McCain" have entered the fray in the tradition of generations past.
"Message-through-song became the single most important musical contribution of the '60s and even '70s, with songs like Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young's 'Ohio' being heard on the airwaves," said Dr. Erica Rubine, an American Studies professor at Rider University. "I think this tradition is alive and well on the left, for Democrats, but not so much on the right."
Sen. Barack Obama has been the inspiration for many compositions such as the Hush Sound's "We Believe in Barack Obama," Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas' "Yes We Can," and lesser-known reggae artist Cocoa Tea's "Barack Obama."
With lyrics like "With all the change he's building, gonna bring hope to the children..." (from "We Believe in Barack Obama" by the Hush Sound) the songs keep Obama's theme of change, which is translating over to young voters.
"Young people like the idea of change and (the) many values that Obama stands for. McCain had a difficult job pulling in the young crowd even before musicians started endorsing the candidates," said Jessica Hoogendorn, a junior at Rider University. "I think everyone all across the United States has a stake and an interest in this election. I think anything that gets younger people thinking about the issues the candidates stand for is a good thing."
The use of songs to campaign for a presidential candidate goes all the way back to Andrew Jackson in 1829 with the song "Hunters of Kentucky," which told the story of his victory during the War of 1812 and stayed with him through both of his terms in office, according to the Library of Congress.
Political views were infused heavily in the music of the '60s and '70s and have since been an influence on people and their views, political or otherwise.
"The momentum driving folks like Ludacris and the Hush Sound to support Barack Obama through song is the fact that Obama brings, like JFK did in the early '60s, the energy and possibility of his youthfulness," said Rubine. "But the fact is that like the civil rights movement, which was helped by the daughters and sons of World War II-era parents, experiencing college for the first time, Obama's campaign is being buoyed by college-aged to (those in their 30s) who can identify with him.
And of course, identity is the key here as well."
That quest of identity seems to be lost on the side of Sen. John McCain and his running mate, Alaskan Gov. Sarah Palin.
Some musicians have even told McCain's campaign to stop using their music, such as John Mellencamp, and, in the case of Jackson Browne, have sued him for using their music as part of his campaign.
"I don't think that those musicians want to be associated with a president they think can't run the White House efficiently," Rider student Megan Ingleterra said. "Many musicians don't support the Bush administration and think that McCain's campaign follows too close with Bush's administration, and they don't want to support someone who they can't put their trust in to run the country."
McCain has received support from a few musicians and became the inspiration of songs like "Believe" by Anne Johnston-Brown and "Raisin' McCain" by John Rich. Even Gov. Palin had a song written about her with Pat Garrett's "Moose Shootin' Mama," but none of those artists is popular outside the country genre, so there is less chance of the songs reaching the ears of young voters.
"These songs aren't going to reach mainstream music listeners," said Rider student Brittnee Sperling. "I personally know about John Rich but not the other artists, so these songs will more than likely not reach the ears of the college students and influence their votes."
McCain has reached out to young voters by securing the support of popular Latino musician Daddy Yankee, who endorsed him back in August. With more Latinos leaning to the Democratic side, Daddy Yankee has had the potential to sway young Latino voters to McCain's side.
"In this generation music defines many young adults," said Rider sophomore Stephanie Santana. "As for Daddy Yankee supporting McCain, I believe that many Latino young adults will be influenced by Daddy Yankee's support. The more musicians that support a certain candidate can influence young adults' votes."
But ultimately, savvy young voters are searching for a candidate who shares their views on the issues, and they won't be swayed simply because a favorite artist backs one side or the other.
"Overall when it comes to who I'm voting for, I know I pick based on how the politician feels about the issues that affect me directly, not what music artist backs them," said Sasha Castro, another Rider student. "Songs come in and out of fashion, but money for my education or tax breaks or job security ... I kind of actually need these things to live. Music shouldn't matter when it comes to politics."
This article is one in a series dealing with this year's presidential election, written by journalism students from Rider University.
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