Last month, Stereogum reported a story about Democratic presidential hopeful Andrew Yang’s musical preferences, his alleged status as an “ex-Goth” and his challenge to Beto O’Rourke to have a “skate off.” Today, new candidate and current ineffectual New York City mayor Bill De Blasio went on CNN and started waxing rhapsodic about his fandom of the Clash, how much London Calling means to him and his “hidden” love of ska.
Listen, practically *NO ONE* is more stupidly fixated with ridiculously minutia-laden music discussions than I am, but if you’re honestly inclined to vote for somebody because they were allegedly once in a punk band, really enjoy Funhouse by The Stooges or consider themselves “the first ex-goth” candidate, you really need to take a long, hard look at your priorities.
Personally speaking, I really don’t give that much of a damn what music my president listens to, as long as they’re not a raging, megalomaniacal moron like the current occupant of the White House.
Before you write me off as a cynical bastard, allow me to clarify. In no way do I mean to diminish the power, the sentiment and the resonance of the songs of, say, The Clash. To express affinity for the principles Joe Strummer’s lyrics emphatically espoused and to recognize the fiery conviction with which those lyrics were delivered -– to understand the urgency of both the music and its message -– is certainly commendable. I do want my politicians to be that cognizant, aware and appreciative of those ideals. But, by the same token, their fandom of certain bands should NOT BE ENOUGH to earn your support. In the current fraught, divisive age that finds our nation astonishingly out of step with the rest of the world on myriad key issues, the next president needs to have his or her eyes on the prize. Their record collection shouldn’t matter to you, at this stage.
Just for laughs, I took a look at Barack Obama’s 2018 playlist on Spotify, and it pretty much made my point for me. Opinions may differ, but from where I’m sitting, Obama was a solid, damn smart, scandal-free, eloquent and thoughtful leader with his heart in the right place. Did he make mistakes? Certainly, but when viewed through the prism of our current Hellscape, it’s damn hard not to miss him.
Turns out our former commander-in-chief listens to a lot of shit I personally wouldn’t play at a dog. But I’d have him back in the White House in a heartbeat.
Also, not for nothing, but fuck off, De Blasio -- don't sully the Clash with your abominable egomania.
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