The Stevie Wonder Geek Returns to the Cover of Rolling Stone

[blogslut]

Barack Obama is a Stevie Wonder geek. In the Democratic presidential candidate’s new interview with Rolling Stone editor-in-chief Jann S. Wenner, Obama waxed rhapsodic about his favorite artists, many of whom — Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Jay-Z — have shown him love with endorsements.

“If I had one musical hero, it would have to be Stevie Wonder,” says Obama, who grew up on Seventies R&B and rock staples including Earth, Wind and Fire, Elton John and the Rolling Stones. “When I was at that point where you start getting involved in music, Stevie had that run with Music of My Mind, Talking Book, Fulfillingness’ First Finale and Innervisions, and then Songs in the Key of Life. Those are as brilliant a set of five albums as we’ve ever seen.”

Wonder shares room on Obama’s iPod with “everything from Howlin’ Wolf to Yo-Yo Ma to Sheryl Crow,” he says. “And I have probably 30 Dylan songs on my iPod.” Though he’s partial to 1975’s Blood on the Tracks, “Maggie’s Farm” is “one of my favorites during the political season,” says Obama. “It speaks to me as I listen to some of the political rhetoric.”

While his musical tastes tend towards the old-school, Obama is in touch with today’s creative top dogs: He’s talked policy with Ludacris, referenced Jay-Z’s “Dirt Off Your Shoulder” (with a brushing motion in response to Hillary Clinton-hurled criticisms) in a campaign speech, and joined acts ranging from Usher to Will.i.am at rallies. “Every time I talk to Jay-Z, who is a brilliant talent and a good guy, I enjoy how he thinks,” says Obama, who believes that the recent political galvanization of America’s youth will soon be reflected in music. “He’s serious and he cares about his art,” he adds. “That’s somebody who is going to start branching out and can help shape attitudes in a real positive way.”

For the entire interview, check out the new issue of Rolling Stone.

link with more goodies like audio of the interview: http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2008/06/25/barack-obama-the-stevie-wonder-geek-returns-to-the-cover-of-rolling-stone/

[tekisui]

1. Holy shit! A flag pin!

[babylonsister]

2. Thanks for this-another cover-wonderful! And that pic is cute. nt

[Eurobabe]

3. What a fantastic cover!!

:loveya: :loveya:

GOBAMA!!

:applause:

[Botany]

4. Obama will win Ohio

He listens to Bob Dylan's "you are gonna make me lonesome when you go"

Ashtabula!

Flowers on the hillside, bloomin' crazy,
Crickets talkin' back and forth in rhyme,
Blue river runnin' slow and lazy,
I could stay with you forever
And never realize the time.

Situations have ended sad,
Relationships have all been bad.
Mine've been like Verlaine's and Rimbaud.
But there's no way I can compare
All those scenes to this affair,
Yer gonna make me lonesome when you go.

Yer gonna make me wonder what I'm doin',
Stayin' far behind without you.
Yer gonna make me wonder what I'm sayin',
Yer gonna make me give myself a good talkin' to.

I'll look for you in old Honolulu,
San Francisco, Ashtabula,
Yer gonna have to leave me now, I know.
But I'll see you in the sky above,
In the tall grass, in the ones I love,
Yer gonna make me lonesome when you go.

[skooooo]

5. Link to Maggie's Farm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnO2jwvaB5c

I ain't gonna work on Maggie's Farm No More!

[goclark]

11. First time I've Heard it!Where have I been!

That is so cool!

Finally, a real President that values the 60's and all other parts of our Music culture.

I'm thrilled.

Go Dylan.

[skooooo]

19. It's a classic...

..but then Dylan had so many classics. Enjoy!

[starroute]

21. "The National Guard stands around his door"

I ain't gonna work for Maggie's pa no more.
No, I ain't gonna work for Maggie's pa no more.
Well, he puts his cigar
Out in your face just for kicks
His bedroom window
It is made out of bricks.
The National Guard stands around his door.
Ah, I ain't gonna work for Maggie's pa no more.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

6. I would say that Stevie, Prince, and Earth, Wind & Fire are my musical heroes!

The man has fantastic taste in music!!!

[skooooo]

7. Here's something for Stevie fans..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ul7X5js1vE

[1Hippiechick]

15. And for the older Little Stevie Wonder fans...from the 60s....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_g9KfrjZ60

[Turn CO Blue]

8. Good stuff. And Bush has what on his iPod?

[skooooo]

9. Hitler youth campfire songs?

[DangerousRhythm]

13. ...

:spray:

[Oregone]

10. Wiggles.

[Triana]

12. Does he know what an iPod is? If so, he probably has My Pet Goat on it. n/t

[1Hippiechick]

14. Or maybe this clip of Andy Griffith teaching Opie about the 4th amendment.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wL9Li0f1Po

[TexasLady]

16. I LOVE his taste in music.

My oldest son calls me 'funk-mama' because I love funk, r & b, blues..I remember playing Stevie Wonder while studying for the Spelling Bee, and Earth Wind and Fire has no match.My son's band plays Love Rollercoaster just for me (sounds more like the Red Hot Chili Peppers version when they play it)and I STILL get goosebumps!

I love having a candidate my age.

[Duppers]

17. my fav is this month's US cover. A little story....

Just last night, while I was cking out at our local supermarket, I was glancing over the magazine rack when I spotted one that had been turned face-in. Naturally, I had to pick it up. Yep, it was that gorgeous "US" cover.

I had my little hissyfit, protesting to everyone in earshot, knowing that most of 'em were republicans. My rage had emboldened me and I didn't care. And I picked up the remaining copies on the rack and placed 'em face-up and in front of 5 different magazines on the rack.
"Take that you bigoted, racist, bottom-feeders."

Oh how I hate all the rethugs in this area.

[Phillycat]

18. He's right about Jay-Z. He IS a serious artist.

I agree with much of his musical taste.

[FrenchieCat]

20. Thanks for the audio link.

[hedgehog]

22. Hey ! My daughter was loking for that picture yesterday! She saw the magazine on a stand in

France, but she didn't buy a copy.