New campaign playlist suggestions for John McCain

[casus belli]

Most of you are familiar with John Mellencamp's recent request to John McCain's campaign to remove "Our Country" from their playlist. Mellencamp's people, in no uncertain terms, informed McCain that John Mellencamp's political philosophy was completely contrary to McCain's and that the use of his populist, pro-labor song wasn't going to serve McCain's objectives very well.

McCain Drops ‘Our Country’ From Playlist


Given how DU has devolved somewhat into a shouting contest between supporters of our primary candidates, it seemed like a good idea to -- if only for awhile -- divert our attention back to the man who should be the focus of our attacks. With that said, may I proffer the first suggestion for a song to add to John McCain's campaign playlist.

Kiss - "War Machine"

[Lasher]

1. And there was that thing by Country Joe and the Fish n/t

[cyclezealot]

2. Not a new trick

Ronald Reagan played Springstein's "Born in the USA." and got away with it. The odd thing, ever listen to the lyrics. Hardly something Republicans would agree with. But the beat is great. But, then we all know Republicans suffer from hearing disabilities.

[casus belli]

3. I've always thought that the inclusion of music at all in GOP events....

was hypocrisy in and of itself - given how much they have struggled to kill funding for the Arts over the years.

[cyclezealot]

4. very true.

what is particularily odd. Ever watch the rhythm of Republican delegates to rock songs. That is a trip. These people come from another planet. They have not heard a new song since Smoke Gets in your eyes.

[Berry Cool]

5. Actually, he didn't get away with it. He never played it.

Springsteen made remarks implying that Ronnie should stop talking about his music in his speeches. Reagan never played it, he just referred to it in a speech that made it obvious he had no clue what the songs were about. He referred to them as reflecting a "message of hope" when they were actually quite dark and negative. His speechwriters were clueless when they tried to tie the Springsteen phenomenon to the Reagan phenomenon.

[cyclezealot]

7. Thought I had a great memory for political conventions

Seems as if Reagan played Born in the USA before his renomination demonstration?

[taterguy]

6. Springsteen had a great response to it

I'm paraphrasing because I'm too lazy to look up the exact quote but he was giving a concert in Pittsburgh and said something like this:

'I hear the President's a big fan. I wonder which album of mine he's been listening to. Apparently not this one.'

Then Springsteen played Johnny 99, a song about a laid-off auto worker that goes on a shooting rampage.