Amid the vitriol of this year’s presidential campaign, Local Spins presents an Election Day playlist for the ages. Vote, then relieve your stress and soak up some great songs. And suggest your own additions.
Pink Floyd’s “Pigs”: Part of the Local Spins Election Day Playlist.
EDITOR’S NOTE: With today’s voting in the presidential election well under way, Local Spins decided to concoct an appropriate playlist to reflect this season’s vitriolic and downright strange 2016 campaign. It’s a Top 10 list that takes a swipe at politicians and the process they’ve wrought, but also offers a way to rock past Election Day and celebrate that this skirmish is almost over. Turn it up and enjoy, then add your own favorite Election Day ditties in the comments below.
Support our coverage of
West Michigan's music scene
1. “Lie to Me,” Jonny Lang – No explanation necessary. One of Jonny Lang’s earliest — and most memorable — tunes delivers a message that most Americans feel they’re getting from pretty much all of their candidates. Oh, and Jonny Lang plays The Intersection in Grand Rapids on Sunday.
2. “What’s Going On,” Marvin Gaye – Sadly, nothing much has changed since Marvin Gaye first delivered these melancholy, beautiful lines. Few singers have ever said it better and most folks really want to know “What’s Going On” these days. Anyone have a clue?
3. “Elected,” Alice Cooper — Sure, this 1972 classic is an easy pick and maybe too obvious. But at this point, I’m guessing a slew of Americans would probably like to see Alice elected over any of the current crop of presidential hopefuls. Anyway, after more than four decades, this song still rocks.
4. “American Money,” BØRNS — It takes a lot of it to get elected these days. While this fresh pop gem by West Michigan-bred Garrett Borns isn’t really about that, too many politicians have eyes filled with “green like American money.”
5. “Enter Sandman,” Metallica — For some, the election results are to be feared, like “the beasts under your bed.” Welcome to never never land.
6. “Madman Across the Water,” Elton John — For years, the rumor was that this song was actually about President Richard Nixon’s final days in the White House. True or not, it doesn’t change the fact that this is a brilliant tune and raises some interesting/troubling possibilities.
7. “Pigs (Three Different Ones),” Pink Floyd — I’m not sure Roger Waters and Pink Floyd have written a more biting, brutal assessment of politicians and those in power … not to mention that the song kicks butt.
8. “Electioneering,” Radiohead — This song from 1997’s epic “OK Computer” says it all so well: “I will stop at nothing, say the right things, when electioneering … when I go forwards, you go backwards.” Indeed.
9. “It’s the End of the World As We Know It (and I Feel Fine),” R.E.M. — I’ve always loved this rapid-fire blast of lyrics and so many of the words describe this election: “vitriolic, patriotic, slam fight, slash and burn, bloodletting, reporters baffled, trumped, tethered, cropped …”
10. “Come Together,” The Beatles — After all of the above, I had to end this playlist with a song that was inspired by an election campaign (Timothy Leary running for governor), is filled with “gobbledygook” (as are most campaigns) and ultimately has a hopeful message. We really do need to “Come Together,” right?
LOCAL SPINS’ ELECTION DAY PLAYLIST ON SPOTIFY
Copyright 2016, Spins on Music LLC
