Morning Music Challenge – Day 3

Happy Presidents day to everyone (particularly those of you who have the day off)  I thought for our last Morning Music Challenge question we would try and honor the day with a song that sounds presidential.   But before we do that I thought we would revisit some songs that have been used by our current and former Presidents.  Even politics has a soundtrack… Starting with one of the most successful uses of music in a campaign….Fleetwood Mac.

Don’t Stop/ Fleetwood Mac – After the “Rumours” hit soundtracked Clinton’s successful campaign for president in 1992, the band reunited to play his inaugural ball the following year.

You Can’t Always Get What You Want /Rolling Stones –  President Donald Trump famously ended every rally with this Stones classic, despite the band’s repeated requests for him to stop using their music. (Also Pharell was another artist to come out against President Trump using his music, when he filed a cease-and-desist requesting “Happy” no longer be used at his rallies)

I Won’t Back Down/ Tom Petty  – George W. Bush related to Petty’s fightin’ words enough to choose this song as his 2000 campaign theme, with Petty eventually threatening to sue Bush to stop his use of the song.

Signed, Sealed, Delivered  I’m Yours/ Stevie Wonder – Barack Obama relied on a stable of soul classics to soundtrack his presidential wins, with this Stevie Wonder favorite among the songs that will forever be associated with his campaigns.

This Land is Your Land/ Woody Guthrie – A historic favorite at political rallies, this Woody Guthrie staple was used by George H.W. Bush for his successful run

Born in the USA/Bruce Springsteen – The Reagan campaign adopted the song as their campaign anthem, seeming to ignore or to be unaware of Springsteen’s real message, which was to paint a dark picture of the hardship Vietnam veterans faced upon returning to America.  The boss wasn’t happy.

High Hopes /Frank Sinatra – This Sinatra classic has historical significance as the official campaign theme of John F. Kennedy’s 1960 campaign.

Happy Days are Here Again – was used in 1932 by FDR

So as far a song that seems presidential to me … I have to go with one of my favorite artists Dave Stewart (the other one in the Eurythmics).  He wrote and performed a song (with some friends) when President Obama was elected that I have always loved.  I find it very emotional and it really makes me proud to be American when I hear it (yes people I am an American citizen … I just talk funny.)

So I give you American Prayer – Dave Stewart