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Soundcheck Smackdown: Clinton vs. Obama
With today's Democratic showdown in the Pennsylvania primary, we stage a battle of our own: Which of the two Democrats has the best music on their side? Obama has inspired musical tributes, and his Facebook page says that he listens to Bob Dylan, The Fugees and J.S. Bach. Clinton recently appeared at Radio City Music Hall with Elton John; her campaign rallies feature songs from Dolly Parton to K.T. Tunstall. In another Soundcheck Smackdown, we welcome Democratic political analayst and former Rock the Vote president Jehmu Greene and Danny Goldberg, president of Gold Village Entertainment and author of several books about music and politics.
Tell us: Which Democratic candidate has the best music on their side?
Our blog: John Schaefer offers up a campaign song for each candidate.
Jehmu Greene's blog, The Greene Room
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THIS IS SAD. SHAME ON YOU!!!!!!!!!!
Barack definitely has a better musical contingent but they're all band wagon reactionaries. I'm sure Will.I.Am has no clue about where either candidate stands on substantial issues or what they have accomplished as senators. Barack is cool so he's got cooler opinionated musicians supporting him.
I'm all for Obama, but Bright Eyes is a blow against him.....
That interpretation of Jay-Z's 99 problems is totally ridiculous - Just because its a lyric in a Clinton a bitch.
It's great that Obama uses misogynistic rap, i'm sure that goes over well with his young audience. He should pull out the Mentors' "On the Rag" too -- that'd be awesome.
I have made the gesture where I dust myself off figuratively, flick the "mess" off my sleeves. But I had no idea Jay-Z did it and my move is not imitating him. It's not like he invented the move, please!
Is this woman serious. Is John serious.
Don't read too much into a simple gesture.
Senator Obama represents change, and the music that represents him is edgier and more progressive. Senator Clinton is an establishment voice with establishment backers (eg Barbara and Elton). The youth have overwhelmingly rallied behind Barack, and that "sound check" is a "common sense" check for us all.
Yes Gabriel is showing his own ignorance, demonstrating it, by stating that he is sure of Will.I.am's lack of political literacy.
Jehmu Greene is repeating a Page Six blind item regarding Obama's use of "99 Problems." Another news organization, The Politico, both was unable to substantiate the item and separately reported that Obama used U-2's "City of Blinding Light" at that victory speech. Jehmu Greene should check the facts.
The fact that Barack listens to hip-hop makes him easy to identify with amongst the youth; especially (if not ironically) to young white men of all socio-economic backgrounds.
99 problems reference to the word bitch was not aimed at Clinton at all; if you listen to the whole song bitch is a metaphor for the mundane. I know it comes hard to some folk that rap is filled with many colorful metaphors but if you pay attention and can relate it is all but obvious.
That's the problem with Clinton and her supporters; they can't relate.
Please double check your facts on the Obama Jay Z situation. Thanks.
http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/01/music_for_obama_2
It's not about the songs or the music, it's about the popularity of the musician who is backing the candidate.
I know I won't be voting in Novemeber based on the lyrics of pop music.
I don't know the Jay-Z song 99 problems, but it just sounded to me like he was bragging about all the women he has. He has no women problems because they are throwing themselves at him. Is that too obvious an interpretation?
Re: "the rising" song comment
It was used by both campaigns:
From http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/04/springsteen-son.html
"Today, however U2's familiar tunes were replaced with Bruce Springsteen's "The Rising."
Senator Obama picked up the endorsement of the boss himself on Wednesday....
The popular hit "The Rising," is also a staple at former President Clinton's events as he campaigns for his wife."
And from http://blogs.tnr.com/tnr/blogs/the_plank/archive/2008/04/20/how-can-both-candidates-be-desperate.aspx
"Clinton has been playing John Mellencamp's "This Is Our Country," while Obama has been playing Bruce Springsteen's "The Rising.""
Here is verification from a reporter who actually was on the ground at the Iowa rally - http://elisanders.net/blog/archives/2008_01_01_archive.html
You should not allow Jehmu Greene to repeat gossip over the air as fact.
My cousin Joan Baez has recently been citing her support for Barak on the concert stage. An older feminist, her support contradicts the punditry's reportage that Hillary appeals to these women. Not to all of them; not by a long chalk.
Get the Grey Album.
9 to 5 is a horrible song. Does that mean at 3am, when she's supposed to be minding the phone, Hillary says, "Wait a sec, I'm not clocked in!!"
I have to correct the reference to Jay-Z's "99 Problems." The guest claims that the word "b*tch" in the song denigrates women. This is nonsense. The song is about racial profiling, and specifically refers to an officer's threat to bring his narcotics dog over to conduct a drug sniff of Jaz-Z's car. Jay-Z responds by telling the officer that he has "99 problems but a b*tch ain't one."
Please get the record straight next time.
Doesn't matter to me. I'm turning the radio off and going outside.
Buh bye.
Everyone comments with wonder that Sen Obama inspires young people. Have you taken a look lately at how many young people--young women especially who are inspired by Sen Clinton? Imagine--She would be our FIRST MOTHER of the nation and give hope to the majority half of the population of all shades of tan who have been systematically EXCLUDED from leading our country for over 230 years!!
I like the Black Eyed Peas and I like Barbara.
What moves me (away from him in part)is the fact that Sen Obama does not seem to care about us older women especially who have been activists since we were in HS! fighting for civil rights, peace, women's rights. Indeed he exhibits an overt sexism that no one wants to touch. He has talked to women in PA calling them honey and sweetie. He was quoted in Newsweek referring to little old ladies in need of help across the street (get real!) and on your site today there is a picture of him putting the patriarchal hand on Sen. Clinton. No matter how old I get, I will never be a senior citizen or a sweetie or a little old lady, but an active engaged POLITICAL person who likes lots of musical genre. Handsome is as handsome does, as my mother always used to say. And handsome as he is --there is a big question in my mind how "handsome" Sen Obama will be when it come to girls and women. Maybe Sen Obama would do well to play Aretha's signature RESPECT. And Sen Clinton; I Am Woman: Hear Me Roar
Please focus Ms. Greene on the music question and ask her to stop politicking. BTW--President of Rock the Vote's favorite song is "9 to 5?!?!" Hmmmmmm......... Rock on, Dolly!
Wow, Jehmu's comments might be easier to take if not for the intense underlying sarcasm. As a privileged youth who was "spoon-fed" the record industry, your guest leaves a sour taste in my mouth.
Jehmu is clearly Hillary biased. I could listen to her comments if I didn't hear loud and clear the diss-ing of Barak and the excusing of Hillary.
I agree with others, the music is probably not their highest priority and in fact, they probably just let their managers make the decision in the moment.
I like the comment regarding "9 to 5" and the 3 am phone call. That was good.
this is just a bad segment.
It's so old fashioned to be offended by "bitch" or "whore" -- please people. Get over it people, a lot of us simply refer to women this way.
the "half art, half politics" aspect of the will.i.am video is exactly what makes the use of music so powerful in the obama campaign. compare that to the choice of using john cougar mellencamp's "small town" for clinton's recent speech in pennsylvania...to younger voters, i think this comes across as 100% politics. i think this is why obama, again, is more of a force among younger voters.
The only music that means anything to me is symphonic band music. Now let's get with it.
The 99 Problems story has been debunked. Also, looking at Obama's love and respect for his family it is obvious that he is not a misogynist. I would call Bill Clinton's behavior in the White House misogynistic.
I can't imagine Barack not giving time to women or being sexist....have you heard Michelle?? He has 2 daughters....yes? It's just that Hillary's feminism is all she has...I am a 60ish woman and I would love to see a woman in the White House but NOT Hillary.
Hip-hop is the music of the upper class voters here in the U.S? What are you smoking Jehmu?
Did anyone see Obama's Abercrombie Boys last night? I bet they love Jay-Z.
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