The Lectern: The music of the Democratic convention

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The Lectern:

The Lectern: The music of the Democratic convention

By Steve Kelman
Published on August 28, 2008 - 12:02 PM

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I'm in Denver to comment on the Democratic convention (in Swedish) for Sweden's TV4, the nation's largest TV channel (and I will be in St. Paul for the Republican convention next week).

I keep this blog away from partisan politics, but I do have an observation on the music played at the convention yesterday. Readers of this blog with a good memory (or Facebook friends who've checked out the music interests section of my Facebook profile) might know that I retain a fondness for the 1960s music of my youth -- and that for a number of years Congressman Tom Davis and I have challenged teams of my Master's in Public Policy students to a sixties rock 'n roll trivia contest.

Well, admirers of the music of my generation had a lot to admire in the Democrats' choice of music on Wednesday. When Obama was nominated, the music played to accompany the roars of the crowd was "Love Train" by the O'Jays (okay, that is from 1973, but still part of the '60s era in message). Melissa Ethridge sang Bob Dylan ("The Times They Are A-Changin'") and John Lennon ("Give Peace a Chance"). The crowd rocked to a tape of Aretha Franklin's "Chain of Fools." When Bill Clinton spoke, he was of course accompanied by his signature melody, "Don't Stop Thinking about Tomorrow" (also mid-70s) by Fleetwood Mac.

Personally, I loved this. But it was a strange set of choices, I thought. Obama has reminded people he wasn't even 10 years old during the sixties, and stated that he can go beyond the divided politics of that generation that affect both Clinton (Bill and Hillary) and Bush, and the rancor of partisanship among both Clinton and Bush haters. Maybe displaying my generation's music isn't the best way to signal that message.

View Comments

right on! how about tonites stadium tunes? "Across The Universe", "Hard Days Night" & "Power to the People"?

Posted by lovelee on August 28, 2008 - 10:34 PM

i would be interested to read any thoughts on Obama choosing to close his convention to the tune of the official George W. Bush 2004 campaign song Brooks&Dunn "Only in America" Didn't they perform this very same song live at the GOPCON 2004? (could this be the replay playback of George HW Bush using "Don't worry Be Happy" without worrying about asking in advance? Might this be as big a scandal as those mccain recipes?

Posted by lovelee on August 29, 2008 - 07:34 AM

I think you should focus less on the era the songs debuted and more on the messages and meaning behind them. "The Times They Are A-Changin,'" "Give Peace a Chance," and "Don't Stop," as you mentioned, ring true to his platform of change. Likewise, I don't think the 2-3 minute musical interludes were intended to "reach out" to send a message more so than the blazing 30-40 minutes speeches that actually did spell out some blatant differences between his brand of politics and McCain's. Personally, I love those songs from the 60's and I'm not even 30 years old - music is one of those things that just breaks age barriers - I wouldn't try to read into it with such scrutiny.

Posted by Scorpio19234 on August 29, 2008 - 08:24 AM

Just hang tight and listen to Sousa marches and german operas when the republicans do their thing next week.

Posted by ch3r0k33 on August 29, 2008 - 08:31 AM

Kelman's linkage to Tom Davis tips his partisan hand (no offense, Tom), in an otherwise unsurprisingly inane blog. But why such big above-the-fold play in today's FCW e-letter? This is the biggest news from Denver last night?

Posted by rickw on August 29, 2008 - 08:42 AM

L'Internationale would have been more appropriate.

Posted by willieboy on August 29, 2008 - 09:10 AM

What about the music - sorry can't remember the exact name, but it was some about more sun shine! - when Al Gore was being introduced. With his position on global warming, I was pretty shocked that we would appear to be inviting more sun in.

Posted by katy on August 29, 2008 - 10:02 AM