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Music tied to images

Through media and clear persona

people can feel connection

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Presidents are Temporary, Wu-Tang is Forever

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A response to all

A melody that pushes

All that can't be said

Song says what words don't

Music is read in all ways

Political triumph

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Music on the US campaign trail matters a great amount. Music is another main avenue, other than speeches, that can affect the connection and mood of an audience. For example, when people are waiting in rallies, they are most likely listening to music. Similarly to in between speeches and even on social media. I think human beings tie memories and feelings easily to musical experiences and so it would make sense that music on a campaign trail would make a significant impact. Including songs that are familiar to the population a candidate is speaking to would have a greater effect than playing an abstract piece no one has heard of.

I think audiences today have unlimited access to all kinds of music genres and their history, so the knowledge is wider today too of how impactful one piece of music can be.

-Ariel

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Music offers another tool for politicians to use in order to relate to voters and to lead their campaign by communicating their personality rather than their policies. People often see a person's music taste of a reflection of who they are as a person and politicans are not an exception to this. Music connects politicians with artists and by extentsion their fans. This makes very useful for campaigning, especially in the 21st century.

-Najee

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Music on the campaign trail invokes many emotions and even changes how people view politicians. Politicians are always trying to convince people that they want the best for them. A way they show this is by emotionally connecting with them through music. They use campaign songs to inspire people and be more relatable. Music is used at rallies and events which is a way to relate to people. Music is something people are listening to all of the time and including it in campaigns is a way politicians appeal to the average American. Songs are powerful and Kamala Harris uses Beyonce's song freedom for her campaign. The song is powerful and not only does it appeal to people culturally it also talks about freedom which many Americans talk about frequently as it is our 1st amendment. Songs tap into the emotional aspects in more ways. Songs can pump people up as you can see at rallies. People are energized and excited when there is music playing that they know and can associate that with a specific politicians campaign.

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Music on the U.S. campaign trail plays a crucial role for several reasons, such as emotional connection. This kind of Music can evoke strong emotions and create a sense of connection between candidates and voters. Campaign songs often embody the candidate's message, values, and personality, helping to forge a bond with the audience. Just as in advertising, music helps to establish a campaign's brand and identity. The choice of songs can signal a candidate's target demographic or political stance, making it easier for voters to identify with them. Similarly, upbeat and familiar songs can energize a crowd at rallies and events, enhancing the overall atmosphere. This can motivate supporters and encourage them to engage more actively in the campaign thus making it more memorable for campaign goers. Campaigns that utilize memorable music can garner increased media attention. Catchy campaign songs or unique musical moments can go viral, amplifying a candidate’s reach and message. They can tap into broader cultural movements or sentiments, allowing campaigns to align themselves with popular trends or social causes, which can resonate with specific voter groups. For barack obama appeals slightly more to African Americans due to his race, use of black performers, and “old school” choice in his playlists.

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https://www.tiktok.com/@kamalaharris/video/7397605731026865450

A politician’s choice of music they associate with their campaign reflects their values and the community they rally support from, and serves as a means to connect people to their campaign. This TikTok is from Kamala Harris’ recent rally in Atlanta that Megan Thee Stallion performed at. On one hand, Harris garnered support with the choice of Megan Thee Stallion, with user Niknok commenting "Let me viote for her RIGHT NOW!" expressing their admiration for Megan Thee Stallion; while some commenters voiced criticism in Harris’ choice. Megan Thee Stallion’s music is deeply intertwined with her identity, and the influence of her music spans to how Harris’ political campaign is received.

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Music is a unique universal attribute to our society, and implementing this on a political scale is crucial to these campaigners. Not only is music itself used to sway voters, but the choice of music per campaigner greatly influences the audience. This can take form in connecting with said audiences, or can be used to correlate said music with a campaigner, in which voters can strongly emphasize with. Music has been a tool for campaigners throughout history, and clearly it seems to be a successful.

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Music is an effective way of swaying voters, but I believe it is only truly effective when it is utilized with great reason and authenticity. By this I mean when the artist's music gives meaning to why they would support a political party rather than simply supporting. Nowadays when I hear an artist supporting a political party, their previous music are not at all related to their support! I believe music has become less related to politics and is now more focused on who is and how famous the performers are, making music a cheap/unauthentic way of propaganda.

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When it comes to judging the character of a politician, if their outward music-preference does not corroborate their values, they can easily be deemed inauthentic. Music is like a perfect Turing test for politicians — an excellent way to gauge if they’re really human, or at least capable of acting like one! Since music is such a shared element of our culture, it can easily be used to galvanize potential supporters in a campaign scenario, whether it’s through lyrics, nostalgia, or more implicit aesthetics.

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Music can make or break a campaign. On one hand, they can lend and authenticity and credibility to a candidate, backing up an image that has been crafted for the public. On the other hand, it can hurt a politician’s chances, as many attempts of pandering can be seen from miles away. The public is smarter than most politicians give them credit for, and they gravitate towards real people and repel themselves from “fake” politicians.

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Music is such a universal method of connection among us, ideals different and alike. Its choice determined by the candidates can be incredibly influential on the types of audiences their campaign reaches, and any attributes they want to associate with their message and intentions in the office. Not readily apparent, our decisions as voters can be strongly associated with the sounds we constantly associate with a candidates campaign

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This photo of Bernie Sanders and Killer Mike is a great example of why music matters in the context of political campaigns. Aside from being really funny, it shows the lengths to which a white socialist from Vermont went to appear more relatable to voters of color. 

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Music is a primary form of connection amongst fellow human beings. It’s only appropriate that US presidential candidates choose their music wisely to appropriately and effectively reach their audiences. Every aspect of the music and campaign ad is taken in by the public in a way that creates a painting of who this candidate claims to be. Even though we may not realize this immense power of music in politics, it is very real in the momentum of the election process.

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In the age of social media, unofficial campaign music can be especially influential to a candidate’s image. I see a lot of creators making music videos/clips that are spread by the supporters of a candidate. The identification with the music's content, as well as its relating perception of a candidate/their demographic of supporters, becomes an informative element that moves and mobilizes people one way or another, even without conscious analyzation.

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Music can be an incredibly effective tool, if done correctly, to connect with a specific type of audience. It is incredibly personal and a strong way to relate to different people on an emotional level. People alienated by extremist politics can often find common ground through music. It also serves as a great way to amp up energy and interest in a crowd. You might not remember everything a candidate says, but you certainly will remember if they played your favorite song over the speakers. That kind of positive association is very important!

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Songs of the People,

Manipulated by men,

For their own gain.

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In political campaigns, music is a refreshing and relatable way to connect with voters. Music can carry any sort of message, with every aspect of it meaning something, such as an artist, instrumentation, or even the lyrics. Each factor, no matter how small, carries a lot of power. In some cases, the artist involved with creating campaign music could carry their own powerful political presence. In other cases, the style of music or lyrics could send a more explicit message.

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Music can be used in a campaign to appeal to different groups of voters and attract votes. Its use can be beneficial or detrimental, and a good strategy in engaging with music can be essential to the success of a campaign.

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Popular music has been used as a tool in a variety of contexts along the campaign trail, and the implications are vast as it sows appeal among the American voters, constructs the “popularity factor” of those in power, and as it mediates/characterizes more localized forms of political discourse. Music is understood by many to be a sort of “universal language,” but what cannot be taken lightly or overlooked, especially as it relates to the politics and social movements of the twenty-first century, is the new ways music can mobilize political ideology, and the variety of layers (conscious and subconscious) on which it works to actively shape identity and ideology in the age of social media.

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Music on the campaign trail matters because successful campaigns have enthusiasm behind them. Music is the best way to excite an audience and put passion and meaning behind any message. Also, the universality of music can attract new supporters because music is more approachable than complex policy proposals.

-Will Joseloff

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A presidential campaign is like a film. . . . It never comes together until it’s scored and tracked. - Paul Begala, Bill Clinton's senior strategist

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A campaign song never elected anybody. Or even got anybody a vote. They’re written because even political conventions, like any other big “show” or spec, need a little musical priming. - Irving Berlin, songwriter

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Candidates use music to constitute their identity in sound--to sonically construct themselves in a way that appeals to the public as well as offers insight into their character and their beliefs. A campaign song is more than just lyrics. Candidates need to think about the myriad ways songs might signal messages in political contexts; this means taking into consideration the artist’s biography, the composition and character of the artist’s fan communities, the connotations attached to the song’s genre, and of course, the meanings a song has accrued through its presence in other media. While pundits may privilege the spoken word or images, sound and music can be just as powerful persuaders. Dr. GM :)