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When the Democratic presidential contender told Rolling Stone, "I have pretty eclectic tastes," what Barack Obama should have said was, “You wish you had my iPod.” The Illinois senator’s iTunes playlist is full of hits and very few misses. A few of Barack’s standbys:
1. The best music of his time: The 70s – Barack listens to the Rolling Stones (Gimme Shelter is his favorite of their repertoire), Elton John and Earth, Wind & Fire. Stevie Wonder is his musical hero from the era.
2. Bob Dylan – “Blood on the Tracks” has a special place in his heart. "Actually, one of my favorites during the political season is 'Maggie's Farm,' " says Obama. "It speaks to me as I listen to some of the political rhetoric."
3. Jazz – Barack hearts legends Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Charlie Parker.
4. The Boss - "Not only do I love Bruce's music, but I just love him as a person," Obama said. "He is a guy who has never lost track of his roots, who knows who he is, who has never put on a front."
5. Hip-hop - "I am troubled sometimes by the misogyny and materialism of a lot of rap lyrics," he said, "but I think the genius of the art form has shifted the culture and helped to desegregate music." He refers to rappers Jay-Z and Ludacris as "great talents and great businessmen.”
As if his unrelenting playlist wasn’t enough, some of his favorite musicians publicly have the dude’s back in the election race. "I've got to say, having both Dylan and Bruce Springsteen say kind words about you is pretty remarkable," Obama said. "Those guys are icons." [CNN]
