Music generates passion and emotion, so it isn’t any surprise that presidential elections have been dominated by George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.
But as a scholar of The role of music in American politics and patriotismI actually have never seen music play such a giant role in elections because it has in recent months.
Taylor Swift’s support for Kamala Harris is Headlinesin addition to the mere rumors that Beyoncé could perform on the Democratic Party ConventionDonald Trump also has his supporters in popular culture, including Kid Rock and Lee Greenwood.
In a detailed race, music could make a giant difference. Most voters today have already decidedand the race for the presidency stays statistically a dead heatin line with surveys. In this case, I consider music offers a deceptively easy, emotional hook that may excite the party base without alienating the few undecided voters in the center.
When crowd size mattersYou can create an aura of electoral triumph through the singing, shouting and dancing of your supporters.
Full of energy, able to go
Music played a significant role on this 12 months's competing nominating conventions.
In addition to the same old national anthem and background music that filled the breaks between the speeches, pop hits were also used to underline the often boring election calls of the person states. When Trump was ahead with 125 votes from Florida and thus became the official Republican candidate, The organizers played the No. 1 hit by Kool & The Gang from 1980“Celebration.”
At the Democratic National Convention, celebrity host DJ Cassidy turned the relatively mundane technique of the roll call right into a dance party. As each state and territory was called to vote, a signature song was played to introduce, welcome and cheer the group. Alabama opened with Lynyrd Skynyrd's “Sweet Home Alabama,” Eminem's “Lose Yourself” Michigan announcedwhile California presented the music of local presenters Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg.
And in a Moment that ought to go viralAtlanta-based crunk rapper Lil' Jon responded to the decision to Georgia with a throaty shout of “Heyaaah…” followed by the opening lyrics of his party anthem “Turn Down for What?”
Shortly thereafter, Axios published a whole playlist with the names of the Democratic Party conventions on Spotify and its 61 songs illustrate a tactical musical advantage for the Democrats.
None of the artists represented at this convention have publicly objected to using their songs. In contrast Dozens of musicians have rejected Trump's use of their music at rallies. In 2024 alone, these include ABBA, Adele, Celine Dion, Foo Fighters, Jack White and the heirs of Isaac Hayes.
Instead of rebelling against these insults, the Trump world seems to Headlines they generateThe objections of those artists underscore the candidate's outsider status and are one other sign that he and his supporters are despised by the country's population. political and cultural elites.
The soundtracks of each candidates occupy very different ideological territories. Harris prefers youth-oriented hits with a high proportion of artists of color and girls. Her selection sends a message. With Chappel Roan's “Feminine noun“,” for instance, sends an inclusive, affirming message about gender fluidity, while also suggesting to fans who know the song that it’s time for a lady to be in charge.
Trump often performs classic hits, including James Brown’s single “It's a man's world”, which emphasize traditional masculinity. Rock anthems and patriotic anthems dominate the Make America Great Again playlist, reminiscent of “American Bad Ass” by Kid Rock and “We are the champions”, although the British band has protested against its use. Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA” has grow to be an unofficial anthem of the Republicansand the participants of the rally frequently sing along.
Sonic Stars and Stripes
To put it simply, I view the musical contest between Trump and Harris as a battle for sentiment.
The supporters of each party need to hear a reassuring, trust-building musical message loud and clear. Whether it's a current hit or a classic, chart-toppers convey familiarity and recognition.
The fundamental query, nevertheless, is whether or not this noise of enthusiasm can result in victory.
Harris' campaign scored a victory after receiving Beyoncé's permission to make use of “Freedom” as Candidate's theme song. In contrast, the Trump staffer who used the identical song in a video triggered a stop and desist order. Trump's team pulled the video and using the controversial route has been discontinued.
Harris' tackle Beyoncé's political anthem connects the vp to the pop star's biography as a troublesome, independent and successful woman of color. The song's driving drumbeat tells a story of determination, of her using “freedom” to “break chains alone” and “keep running, because a winner doesn't quit.” Harris would probably love for voters to see her in that light.
But Harris' alternative of song can also be surprising in that it appeals to the unadulterated patriotism of one among the nation's defining values. American flags have long served because the obligatory backdrop of each national parties. But Republicans, especially in recent many years, have been running at full speed claim patriotic symbols as their very own, perhaps in order that voters will see them because the true patriots of the nation.
I see Harris' obvious use of patriotic songs, be it “Freedom” or the Civil War-era songs.Battle cry of freedom”, as a strategic recovery of patriotism for the Democratic Party.
Political fandom
These playlists, endorsement deals with pop stars, and battles over usage rights may show that presidential politics has evolved from a contest of ideas to a type of passionate fandom based on notions of fame, popularity, and tribal affiliation.
However, young voters appear to be discovering their political voice through music and social media. British singer Charli XCX hasKamala IS a brat“The support could have given Harris' campaign an early boost, but some influencers declared her politicization as proof of The early death of Brat Summer.
Nevertheless, music has quickly grow to be a weapon within the battle for younger voters, because the demographic harder fought than in previous cycles. In this context Swift's support for Harris after the controversy for her 283 million followers. The megastar could bring more young people into Harris' camp, especially since her country music roots mean Swifties cover the ideological spectrum.
The strength of a democracy ultimately is determined by the people exercising their power on the ballot box. If music brings more Americans to the polls, no matter who they vote for, Americans usually tend to get an consequence they’ll trust.
For that reason alone, I'm joyful to maintain singing along.
image credit : theconversation.com