Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump and Looking at the 2016 Presidential Campaign by Music Choice

Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump will be heading intothe first debate of
the 2016 season on Monday, September 26. Photo modified from thumbnail
for  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXEofB_G7Sc                               

The 2016 presidential election has been one of the most contentious in recent history, and quite frankly, it’s still only getting started. The field has been narrowed down to four, with only two anywhere close to having enough support to be elected into the White House in November. Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have wildly different opinions on how the country should be run, as well as how to run a presidential campaign. Such can be seen in the way they present themselves to the public, from what they deem important enough to talk about in their speeches to what music they walk out to.

When Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump engage in their first debate on Monday night at Hofstra University, voters will not only be listening to what policies the candidates will be advocating, but also paying attention to who came off looking better. It’s something that has plagued our democracy since televised debates began in the mid-1960s, when a healthy, young John F. Kennedy won voters’ hearts against a sickly, old-looking Richard Nixon. At that moment, politics became as much about looks and personality as it did about policy and action.

Both candidates have strong personalities. Depending on your circle, you either like one, the other or neither of them, and with good reason. The two are polarizing figures with good and bad points.

At Vinyl Bay 777 and vinylbay777.com, we like to look at things through a musical lens. How is each of the candidates using music to further promote themselves and how does the music community perceive the candidates?

If you look at the list of artists who support Hillary Clinton, it would seem as if much of the community is behind her. It’s a list that includes many of today’s young, popular artists: Kanye West, Beyonce, Pharrell, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Ellie Goulding, Demi Lovato and Justin Timberlake. She also has the support of a number of even more established artists: Tony Bennet, Jon Bon Jovi, Ice-T, Quincy Jones and Morrissey. Many of these artists feel that voting for Mrs. Clinton would be voting on the right side of history, with a number of them also saying that they trust her more.

But that doesn’t discount the amount of support Donald Trump has from right-leaning musicians. Loretta Lynn, Ted Nugent, Wayne Newton, Kenny Rogers, Gene Simmons, Aaron Carter and Kid Rock are all squarely in his court. The consensus seems to be that Mr. Trump speaks his mind, and that is something that we need as a country.

For the most part, music choices are reflected in who supports the candidate. For example, Hillary Clinton’s campaign playlist is full of newer artists, including American Authors, Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson, Pharrell Williams, Gym Class Heroes, Bon Jovi and, most importantly, Rachael Platten, who’s runaway hit single “Fight Song” has become one of her rally themes. She has even gone as far as hiring an indie music agency, Marmoset, to soundtrack her campaign ads with up-and-coming artists’ music. According to a poll on YouGov, Mrs. Clinton’s supporters favor new artists, as well as a well of diversity, both in race and gender. She wants people to like her; she wants the young vote, so the music she plays is diverse like the people voting for her.

Donald Trump, on the other hand, takes a different approach with his music. While in the same YouGov poll Mr. Trump’s supporters lean more towards classic rock headed by white males, his campaign playlist does not reflect this. His playlist is diverse; it includes Adele, Elton John, Beatles, R.E.M., Neil Young and Twisted Sister. However, out of all of these artists, only one gave him permission to use his music: Twisted Sister’s Dee Snider. It’s a bold move, to use music without the artist’s consent, and not something that a political candidate would usually do, but Mr. Trump is not the usual candidate. He doesn’t care if you like him, he doesn’t like you, that’s just how he rolls.

Sure, people care about policy, it would be a pity if they didn’t. But in today’s political climate, a candidate’s personality is just as important to the average voter as what they have to offer as president. When Mr. Trump and Mrs. Clinton face off on Monday, how they look and perform have just as much weight as what they say. It’s evident from the music libraries of each candidate, as well as their approach to picking songs, what they each want to accomplish with their candidacy. Mrs. Clinton wants the progressive youth vote, so she appeals to young voters with young music. Mr. Trump’s choices don’t necessarily reflect who his policies appeal to, but makes bold choices, just like he makes bold choices on the campaign trail. Whichever way the first debate goes, we know that it will be a tight race between formidable adversaries with a unique approach to running the country.

Despite your political leanings, stop by Vinyl Bay 777, or visit us at vinylbay777.com, and pick up music from either candidate's playlist, or shop from our selection of new and used vinyl, CDs, cassettes and more. With thousands of titles and more being added daily, you're sure to find a gem to be proud of.