Taylor Swift's Endorsement and the Role of Music in Politics
Digest
This episode of Media's Midweek podcast delves into the fascinating intersection of music and politics, specifically focusing on the 2020 US presidential election. The episode begins by examining the recent trend of pop stars endorsing political candidates, highlighting the growing influence of celebrity culture in politics. It then traces the historical relationship between music and politics in the US, from the days of George Washington to the modern era, showcasing how music has been used to evoke emotion, promote candidates, and mobilize voters. The podcast explores the impact of recording technology on political music, allowing for the creation of specific playlists and the association of songs with particular artists and candidates. It examines the evolution of celebrity endorsements, highlighting the significance of Frank Sinatra's endorsement of John F. Kennedy in 1960 and its connection to the current trend of pop stars endorsing candidates. The episode also discusses the potential impact of celebrity endorsements on voter enthusiasm, suggesting that they can play a significant role in motivating voters and increasing turnout. The podcast explores the growing influence of fans in shaping campaign music, highlighting how fan-created remixes and social media trends can influence candidate choices and campaign strategies. It analyzes the playlists used by the Trump and Biden campaigns, highlighting the use of nostalgia and classic rock hits in Trump's playlist and the more diverse and inclusive approach of Biden's playlist. The episode discusses the innovative use of music in the Democratic National Convention roll call, where each state was represented by a song that reflected its cultural identity. The podcast explores the growing number of artists who have objected to or sued Trump's campaign for using their music without permission, highlighting the tension between political campaigns and artists' rights. The episode discusses the potential downsides of the increased focus on music and celebrity in politics, suggesting that it could distract from policy issues and create a superficial sense of engagement. It explores how music can be used to subtly communicate policy messages, highlighting examples of songs used by both Trump and Biden campaigns that convey specific political stances. The episode concludes by discussing the intensification of presidential fandom and the role of music in creating a sense of tribalism and motivating supporters.
Outlines
Music in Politics: A 2020 Election Perspective
This podcast episode explores the evolving role of music in US political campaigns, from its historical use to evoke emotion to the modern trend of celebrity endorsements and fan-generated content. The episode focuses on the 2020 US presidential election, examining how music has been used to engage voters, promote candidates, and shape the political landscape.
Music's Historical Role in Politics
The episode delves into the historical relationship between music and politics in the US, tracing it back to the days of George Washington and the use of music to evoke emotion and passion in public life. It explores how the invention of recording technology transformed political music, allowing for the creation of specific playlists and the association of songs with particular artists and candidates.
The Impact of Music and Celebrity on Political Campaigns
The podcast examines the evolution of celebrity endorsements in politics, highlighting the significance of Frank Sinatra's endorsement of John F. Kennedy in 1960 and its connection to the current trend of pop stars endorsing candidates. It discusses the potential impact of celebrity endorsements on voter enthusiasm, suggesting that they can play a significant role in motivating voters and increasing turnout. The episode explores the growing influence of fans in shaping campaign music, highlighting how fan-created remixes and social media trends can influence candidate choices and campaign strategies.
The Ethical and Political Implications of Music in Campaigns
The podcast analyzes the playlists used by the Trump and Biden campaigns, highlighting the use of nostalgia and classic rock hits in Trump's playlist and the more diverse and inclusive approach of Biden's playlist. It discusses the innovative use of music in the Democratic National Convention roll call, where each state was represented by a song that reflected its cultural identity. The episode explores the growing number of artists who have objected to or sued Trump's campaign for using their music without permission, highlighting the tension between political campaigns and artists' rights. The episode discusses the potential downsides of the increased focus on music and celebrity in politics, suggesting that it could distract from policy issues and create a superficial sense of engagement. It explores how music can be used to subtly communicate policy messages, highlighting examples of songs used by both Trump and Biden campaigns that convey specific political stances. The episode concludes by discussing the intensification of presidential fandom and the role of music in creating a sense of tribalism and motivating supporters.
Keywords
Political Campaign Music
Music used in political campaigns to evoke emotions, promote candidates, and mobilize voters. It can range from traditional anthems to contemporary pop hits, reflecting the evolving cultural landscape.
Celebrity Endorsements
Public support for a political candidate by a well-known figure, often a celebrity, leveraging their influence and fan base to sway public opinion.
Nostalgia in Political Music
The use of music from a past era to evoke feelings of longing for a simpler time, often employed by campaigns to appeal to a sense of national identity and shared history.
Fan-Generated Remixes
Creative adaptations of existing songs by fans, often incorporating political messages or imagery, which can influence campaign strategies and even become official campaign anthems.
Musical Warfare
The strategic use of music in political campaigns to gain an advantage, often involving the appropriation of popular songs, the creation of original anthems, and the use of music to evoke specific emotions and associations.
Presidential Fandom
The passionate support for a particular presidential candidate, often fueled by shared values, beliefs, and a sense of belonging to a specific political tribe.
Q&A
How has the use of music in political campaigns evolved over time?
Music has been used in politics since the days of George Washington, but the invention of recording technology and the rise of celebrity culture have significantly transformed its role. Today, campaigns rely heavily on playlists, celebrity endorsements, and fan-generated content to engage voters and create a sense of excitement and belonging.
What are some of the potential downsides of the increased focus on music and celebrity in politics?
While music can be a powerful tool for engaging voters, some argue that it can also distract from policy issues and create a superficial sense of engagement. Additionally, the use of music without artists' permission raises ethical concerns about copyright and the exploitation of creative works for political gain.
How can music be used to subtly communicate policy messages?
Music can convey specific political stances through lyrics, themes, and associations. For example, a song about female empowerment might be used to promote a candidate's stance on women's rights, while a song about economic inequality might be used to highlight a candidate's focus on social justice.
Show Notes
Last Tuesday, as audience members and press were still milling about the presidential debate stage in Philadelphia after the spotlights dimmed, the real bombshell of the night dropped — Taylor Swift's endorsement Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. And this week, pop star Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas took to Instagram, announcing that they were voting for Harris and Walz.
Swift and Eilish stand amid a sea of pop stars, including, among others, Beyonce, Charli xcx, and Cardi B, who have cheered on the Harris campaign — which has felt more like a weeks-long rave than the usual pre-election slog. The soundtrack for the Democratic National Convention was provided by a sunglass-clad DJ Cassidy, while the RNC featured performances by Kid Rock and bands like Sixwire. Politics and music, this year in particular, seem inextricable. For the midweek podcast, host Brooke Gladstone speaks with Mark Clague, a professor of musicology at the University of Michigan, about the role of music in this year's presidential campaigns, the history of political anthems, and the consequences of pop star celebrity culture seeping further into our political sphere.
On the Media is supported by listeners like you. Support OTM by donating today (https://pledge.wnyc.org/support/otm). Follow our show on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @onthemedia, and share your thoughts with us by emailing onthemedia@wnyc.org.
Table of contents
United States
